Day 7 - Florence, Oregon to Lake Oswego, Oregon

Up and on the road at XXX. Our plan was to have breakfast at the Old World Gingerbread Village in Mapleton, Oregon. Been there serveral times and good food. Barb checked their webpage and they would open at 7:00. Perfect. Made the 35 minute drive up the Siuslaw River to find "Closed" and "For Sale" signs. So we made the one hour plus drive through the small towns, and I do mean small, of Rainrock, Deadwood and Low Pass to Ron's in Junctiom City, Oregon. And to make matter worse, no Starbucks for nearly two hours.

Today must be plowing day in the Willamette Valley. Everywhere dust billowing high into the air as farmers prepared the land for the next crop. We did see quite a bit of corn growing and other green stuff we couldn't identify.

Once on Interstate 5 North, we found traffic has increased considerably since we left the West side of the mountains thirty years ago. We were too early to check in, so headed to Washington Square for a little window shopping and scored a box of peanut brittle from See's Candy for the drive home from Redmond.

Did manage to check in early. On the sixth floor of the Hilton Garden Inn and the view is nothing but green trees. Light green, dark green, pine trees, maple trees and no cactus. If it wasn't for the taxes, crime, politics and rain we could live here.

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I want to mention something a litle strange that happened a couple of days ago. I'm stopped looking at the giant Paul Bunyon when a guy pulls up beside where I'm parked. We staart talking and when he says he is traveling I asked from where. He says Arizona. I say that's where I live. He says Buckeye. I say me too and in Sun City Festival. He says me too. Turns out we live a couple of blocks apart. That in the middle of nowhere California.

Dinner was at John Barleycorns pub, which is one of many McMenamins pubs in Oregon and Washington. We had a great visit With our son Jeff and daughter-in-law Anita and finally had a no seafood meal.

Tomorrow we are off to Sandy, Oregon, for Barb's 60th high school reunion.

Day 6 - Around Florence, Oregon

Off to the Brown Hen for breakfast at 6:43 for what will probably be our only meal there. Then a quick stop at Safeway for some cold medicine (just in case) and a Starbucks.

When we travel there will be a houskeeping day every so often. A housekeeping day may be doing a load of wash, getting a haircut, an oil change for the car or shopping for something we forgot to pack. Today it was doing load of wash and the cold medicine. We opted for the 37th Street Coin Laundry & Shower, which had some pretty hefty equipmant.

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This guy is about five feet tall and takes in quarters like a slot machine. His big brother The Dryer consumes a quarter every four minutes. This is a hungry pair and there are about forty of them. While you clothes are being taken care of you can shower at the rate of four dollars for eight minutes. No charge for the towel.

Lunch was back at Driftwood Shores and for once wasn't seafood. A really good trukey wrap was a nice change, but I suspect we will be looking at fish and chip's for dinner. Right now, Barb is resting and I'm writing.

Well, it was back to Moe's, where we shared fish and chips. I added a cup of clam chowder and Black Butte Porter (thanks Jeff for reminding me of that oil spill.) After dinner Barb forced me to Dairy Queen so she could have a cone. Oh, and I had a Butterfinger Blizzard. Back at the hotel we did some packing for heading for an overnight in Lake Oswego, OR.

Sunset on the Oregon coast

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55.7 miles today.

Day 5 - Eureka, California to Florence, Oregon

On the road at 6:46, After a quick breakfast at the motel. Managed four blocks down Highwaay 101 before stopping at Starbucks to fuel up.

I checked CALTRANS last night for road work on 101 and found five projects. Worries were for naught, as delays were minimal. However, the two areas where it looked like the roadbed had fallen away may have been exciting for Southbound drivers.

Light fog or low clouds, I don't know which, hung around for a few hours and then mostly sunny for the rest of the day. Temperatures hung out in the 60's, with wind going from mild to screw your hat on.

Yesterday I was pretty bummed for missing a certain road with a very big Redwood tree. Thought I had another shot at it today, but it was truly missed. Anyway, we ended up dong a drive through Prairie Creek Redwood State Park and got to see some really large old trees. Not the largest tree, but at least big.

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And speaking of big things, how about this at the Trees of Mystery.

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Driving either North of South on Highway 101, we always plan to hit Port Orford at 11:45 to be first (or at least third) in iine for the 12:00 opening of The Crazy Norwegian's Fish & Chips. Some of the best ever. Alas, Crazy is closed on Tuesdays. While I drove, Barb worked Google and found the The Wheelhouse & Crowsnest in Bandon, Oregon. Today it became our new goto lunch stop on the coast. Barb had some of the best Fish & Chips (not armor plated like the other night), while I worked my through some pan fried oysters. We shared a bowl of good as Barb's clam chowder.

At the moment, while I'm writing the blog I'm also following the news on the possible tsunami. Usually this wouldn't be a concern, but this is the view from the deck where we will be staying to two days.

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Anyway, we made it to Florence and after checking in headed down to the waterfrot for a walkaround. A quick trip through Kitchen Klutter identified a few items for purchase tomorrow and then hit Moe's for a little dinner and with that our day ended.

Tomorrow we spend the day around Florence.

286.7b miles today.

Day 4 - Rohnert Park to Eureka, California

On the road at 6:43, for a short 10 minute drive to Santa Rosa. There we paid a visit to Ron's Place and Starbucks to fuel up for another day.

Continuing North on Highway 101 Vinyards once again dominated the landscape, some covering multiple acres while others were no larger than a home lot. Eventually necessary growing conditions must have given out and cattle took over. A dairy made us suspect there were more cattle than met the eye.

After living in Arizona for the last eight years, it was easy on the eyes to see trees. Big green trees and lots of them. Before reaching Garberville, we passed through the Richardson Grove of Redwood trees, which is the start of the really big trees. Later we left Highway 101 to drive the Avenue of the Giants. Big trees, very impressive.

Leaving early and a short drive got us to Eureka before noon. Way too early. Barb found a place for lunch, so we backtracked a few miles to Gills By The Bay, out on King Salmon Slough. The owner could be named Gill, but if the name was chosen because it's a seafood restaurant then I say well done! Barb had clam chowder, while I had to make do with some really good deep fried oysters.

Still early, we took a little drive and stopped for gas before heading for our over night stay. With several gallons left, did 571.6 miles since last filled, so happy with the mileage the Jeep is getting. And again $4.99 a gallon.

Dinner tonight was at Cafe Waterfront, where we have dined several times before. As in the past, transportation to and from was by limo, which comes with the Best Western, where we stay. Barb had a really great shrimp Louie, while I opted for a half dozens Kumamoto oysters on the half shell and shrimp scampi. All was excellent. Can't wait to get home and diet.

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Tomorrow we are off to Florence, Oregon for two days.

Day 3 - Paso Robles to Rohnert Park, California

Well, today started very, very early. Ask me sometime and I'll tell you about our stay in Paso Robles. Yesterday I forgot to mention filling up with gas in Paso Robles. Bad news $4.99 gallon. Good news we drove 611.8 miles on the first tank. Now to day 3.

We drove off shrouded in fog. Not enough to cause trouble driving, but enough to keep the wipers working. After liberatng a mocha from the freindly barista we headed North on highway 101. This is wine country, but what is visable is grapes. Vinyards stretch for miles and miles in all directions. Some are will tended, pruned and weed free. Others not so much. I'll take my wine from the first group.

Down the highway we passed Camp Roberts. Currently an Army reserve base, it was an Army training center during WW II. It was there that Barb's dad met Red Skelton, while they were being introduced to life "Army Style."

Further on vinyards gave way to conventional farming. Various shades of green spread out from both sides of the highway. Of the many crops, we think we were able to identify one. It was cabbage, maybe.

Those darn pump jacks showed up again, while every once in awhile a wind turbine or two appeared.

We did notice today quite a difference between the way some people live. In the vinyards and wineries, we saw mostly large beautiful homes, while in the farmland there were mostly small modest homes. I suppose that's like comparing a $30.00 bottle of Pinot and a $1.29 head of Bibb lettuce.

GPS said we would arrive for our overnight in Rohnert before noon, which is way too early. So, leaving the Lady in the Dash behind, we took Interstate 280 North and then West on State Route 92 to Half Moon Bay. Heading North on State Route 1, we were back in the fog again, but not enough to keep the Pacific Ocean from view.

Back on Interstate 280 and then State Route 1, we were slowed by stop and go traffic in San Francisco, before crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. From there it was pretty much an easy drive into Rohnert Park. We were able to check in early and then had lunch at Sourdough & Company.

There was a question as to where to eat dinner tonight. Choices were the restaurant here at the hotel or XX. Hotel had a big advantage because we didn't have to drive and they had fish and chips. The XX had a big advantage because they had fish and chips and a bunch of other great choices, like oysters. Unfortunently the hotel won out. Barb had Caesar salad with chicken, while I had the fish and chips. My meal was horrible. The batter was a very dark brown and thick. Had to cut it with a knife. Barb's was ok, except the chicken was in big chunks instead of slices. When the watress asked how everything was, I told it was the worst fish and chips I had ever had. The fish should have a light coating of batter rather than armor. She apparently conferred with someone above her pay grade and our meal was no charge. I did leave her a good tip.

Good day for driving, only 277.8 miles. Tomorrow we are off to Eureka, California.

Day 2 - Barstow, California to Paso Robles, California

After a quick breakfast at the hotel, which was excellent for a change, we were on the road at 7:19. First stop was about two blocks down the road for a Starbucks, then it was onto Interstate 15 for a short time beforea taking State 58 West.

State 58 is a lonely highway, especialy since then new relocated highway skirts small towns like Boron and Kramer Junction. Lots of open space, with only an occasional dwelling showing up. I just can't understand how anyone can live out in the middle of the dessert with nothing around and miles from stores. But, then I've never had thoughts of becomming a hermit.

Nearing Mojave we began to see in the distance the start of California's triumphant Green Energy Save The World project. The first to show up were the wind turbins. Dozens, no hundreds of them crawling across the the Tehachapi Mountains. Some turning, some not turning (laggards) and some tuning at different speeds (which seemed odd.) Once down the west side of the mountains the solar farms started. Determined to surpass the turbins, they spread in all directions. Once past Bakersfield there was a forrest of pump jacks, which should be scorned and banned from the earth.

Interstate 5 took us North to Lost Hills, which apparently had been found because there it was. Continuing West, we reached our not quite final destination, which was Eberle Winery. We tasted a few, bought a few and met Matt, who normally ships wine, but today was in charge of BBQ. Barb talks with Matt several times a year when she wants to change our order. Matt is very acconmodating and does a great BBQ.

Our next stop was Sirena Vinetard and Resort, where we would spend the night. Of course we tasted wine, afterall it is a winery. And a rather good champagne required another purchase. The place we are staying resembles something your might find on a Greek isle.

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Later we headed downtown for diner at The Catch. I called two months ago for a reservation to be sure we sat at the counter and could watch the two cooks do their thing. What a a show. The calamari steak appetizer was excellent, as were both dinners.

Very good day today. Short drive, good wine and good food. Tomorrow is another fairly short drive to Rohnert Park, California, for another stay at a winery.

Day 1 - Home to Barstow, California

Out of the house and on the road at 9:07. That's a couple of hours later than usual, but we didn't want to arrive at our destination too early.

The first day for us is usually driving to somewhere to start of our trip. First days just are not that exciting and today was no exception.

The first two hours were to be spent driving West on Interstate 10 to Blythe, Ca;ifornia. Eleven miles of stop and go road construciton ran that out to about two and half hours. No problem, Starbucks was still there in Blythe and a mocha made things better.

Wanting to avoid anything near Las Angeles (for both traffic and politics), we dsregarded the lady in the dash and took US 95 North to Needles, California. US 95 is a two lane, roller coaster road that at times parallels the Colorado river. There must be significant floods in the area, as the highway had more dips for water to cross than I could count. At Needles we headed West on Interstate 40, which was a much better highway to drive then I10.

Our stay in Barstow, California was a repeat at the Hampton Inn. Nice room, nice location and near Chili's, where we shared some very good Fajitas for two.

Tomorrow we are off to Paso Robles to taste and possibly purchase wine.

377.5 miles today. About our limit anymore.