On the Road - Day 13

Yum, I blended a smoothie of blueberries, banana and cherries for breakfast. Headed up Rt. 5 for a day on the Historic Columbia River Highway. Advised to take Rt. 205 and Rt. 26, but missed the turnoff. So we went into Portland proper. Interesting city character. Made our way to a Costco gas station, only to find price 4 cents more per gallon than the gas at the station next to where we stayed. Bother.

Turned off Rt. 84 at Troutdale - sparkling greens and no bugs! Walked through the quaint town, admired art galleries, and lunched at the old-fashioned Troutdale General Store. Stopped in at the Visitors Bureau for advice on best way to see waterfalls. We have found Trailer Life Directory, the RV Atlas and local maps/visitor guides to be of great help, too. Took Rt. 30 - the Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway. Along the Sandy River we watched families playing on the gravel or sand bars. Nice to see them enjoying the water and floating in inner tubes.














Wow! Saw breathtaking view of the Gorge from the Crown Point Vista House. [See picture at left; view from this Vista house below.] Climbed .2 mi. to the Latourell Falls, got wet in the mists of Wahkeena Falls - met and chatted with a friendly local couple, climbed to the bridge between upper and lower Multnomah Falls [above, left and closeup on the right] (620 feet and the second highest year-round waterfall in the nation. At the base is the 1925 Multnomah Falls Lodge), and finished with Horsetail Falls. All beautiful.

The picture of us on the left was taken at Horsetail Falls. It is our favorite "couples picture" so far. (Clicking on any picture in this "On the Road" series of blogs will give you the largest size image available.) [It turns out this was our favorite couples picture of this whole trip.]



Returned on Highway 84 and 242nd St. to Rt. 26. Had tasty supper at Olive Garden. Decided to head east on Rt. 26 to town of Sandy and the Jonsrud Viewpoint of Mt. Hood. Even though it was 8:30 p.m. we were still able to get some photos during a time of long shadows. [Mt. Hood on the left] Returned to RV Park via Rts. 26, 212 -- through the town of Boring,with the "Boring Coffee Shop" -- and Rt. 205. The dark outline of evergreen trees silhouetted against the pink edged pale evening sky was a nice way to end the day.

Noticed that Portland area has: Bean Scene Espresso, McGill Drive Thru Espresso, and Irish Brothers Coffee, Tad's Chicken 'n Dumplin's, and Tippy Canoe Bar & Grill. Fun. Saw a 6-engine train along the Gorge with a very long line of cars. Vance says that power is needed to get it over the grade because it is so long.

Ended at Pheasant Ridge RV Park, Wilsonville, OR (Portland area)
Odometer 59,487.5 (126.7) Total: 1344.7

On the Road - Day 12

Very chilly in the night, in the 40s. Got out small down throw and "Doggie love wrap" - a comfort-er my church gave to me when Penny died last Fall. In the morning we played catch to exercise before we headed out... north 101 to the Tillamook Naval Air Museum in a huge blimp hangar. Bought a book for Dad showing the planes in the collection. WWII music and fun period "canteen".

The Tillamook Cheese Factory is celebrating their Centennial this year, and is a big tourist attraction. License plates from all over. Separate parking lot for RVs. Factory has been renovated since Vance was there 15 years ago. He remembers the milk and rennet being worked. Everything today is in huge sterile stainless steel vats. The curds are pressed into 40 pound blocks, then moved by conveyor belt to the cutting/slicing/packaging process. I watched as a woman on the line took her broken wire cutter to a repair area and restrung it, tightening with a crescent wrench. Lickety-split!

We also did a self-guided tour taking in the history of Tillamook - a cooperative of many dairy farmers. It takes 10 pounds of milk to make a pound of cheese! Tasted a few varieties - I liked the vintage medium cheddar that we can't get at home. They also had 38 varieties of FANTASTIC ice cream, which uses the left over butter fat from the cheese making process. I saw the white licorice that Val liked, and chose peaches and cream. Vance had a chocolate malt. Excellent!

Took Rt. 6 over to the Portland area. Along the way we saw Blue Star Espresso, Oil Can Henry's - oil change chain, and Fred Meyer - the Oregon version of Wal-Mart. Hills looked like a patchwork quilt of random textures due to the clear-cutting over the years. Vance pulled off Rt. 6 to take a nap, and discovered a roadside waterfall! I read through information on Portland, Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge and listened to the falling water while he snoozed. Very soothing.

Approaching Portland on Rt. 26, we got into commuter traffic, metered entry onto the freeway. Took Rt. 217 south of town to our RV Park for the night - Pheasant Ridge. I sat in the 103 degree spa until I parboiled. Loved it! Made spaghetti and meatballs for supper, along with green salad. Delicious!

Ended at Pheasant Ridge RV Park, Wilsonville, OR (Portland area)
Odometer 59,360.8 (95.4) Total: 1218.0

On the Road - Day 11

On the road again, coastal 101 North

Awoke to birdsong. Did a few errands before leaving Newport - showers, laundry, Wal-Mart photo pick-up, Safeway, and viewing the Yaquina Head Lighthouse. (We noticed the Safeway was laid out backwards from our home Safeway - produce to left, deli & bakery to the right. HIGHLIGHT- we danced in the wide and empty frozen food isle. I melted, but we left before the vegetables were thawed. Vance said it reminded him of the time we danced to a steel drum band on the sidewalk in Waikiki.)










Picture on left: Pat ready for cold wind on way to seeing the Yaquina Head lighthouse, right.

Pat bought postcards to share with everyone. Paused in Depoe for a nap, so we were too late to see the Lincoln City Kite Fest. The traffic jam Pat feared did not materialize. Fun things along the way North: Shuckers - the Oyster Bar, "D River - the world's shortest". "45th Parallel, half-way between the Equator and the North Pole", then we saw the Midway Cheese Dairy. At a Wayside Lookout (not a rest area, as no restrooms) the information plaque stated that the "Northern area ahead is the Heart of Oregon's Dairy Land with rolling farm land and forested foothills".

Vance spent the day driving into strong winds. He spoke with some bikers (Harley types, not Schwinn) who said they also were having a difficult time, the wind was blowing them all over the road as well. In this picture, left, two of the three bikers are standing behind him. Further along the hills had bare areas that were clear-cut (ugly), also areas of short new growth from most recent clear-cut, older growth sections, and tall untouched forest sections. Like crop rotation big scale. Back into the farmland, herds of cows are unlike what I am used to. In Maine, for instance, a herd will all be black beef cows, or all belted Galloways, or all one type of dairy cow. Here in coastal Oregon each herd seems to be a variety of kinds and colors.

Haven't seen a Dutch Brothers Coffee shop for a while, instead there's Black Tail Coffee and Yellow Dog Espresso shops. Arrived at Pleasant Valley RV Park - just South of Tillamook where we will go tomorrow for a tour of the cheese factory. Took a short nature hike which included listening to a babbling brook and discovering a new plant with tiny red berries. Sat on a camp chair in the fading sun, reading the last of the Twilight series (thank you, Val). Made hamburger patties with onion, garlic and mushrooms, steamed fresh baby spinach, and a salad of blueberries, bananas and cherries. Contentment!

Ended at Pleasant Valley RV Park, Tillamook, OR
Odometer 59,265.4 (68.2) Total: 1122.6

On the Road - Day 10

Woke up and decided to stay another day at the Port of Newport! Wonderful showers! Started out at the Newport Farmers Market. Took lots of pictures and bought a stone decorated birdhouse for our spruce tree. So heavy it won't blow in the wind! Art galleries were inspiring. In the Historic Nye Beach area we discovered a new cheddar cheese at a wine tasting - it has lavender in it. We didn't try any of the wines but we found this particular cheese at a nearby market.

Enjoyed our chat with the owner of a bistro by the ocean - lunch was delicious. Bob told me the special ingredients in his fabulous clam bisque. Equal parts cumin, curry and ginger, plus herbs of Provence and cracked pink peppercorns. Very yummy. He recommended we go to a particular restaurant, Pagliachi, when we get to Victoria, B.C.

Checked out a condo for sale, hung out at the library and used their computer, and saw a lighthouse on our way back to the RV Park. Had fun reviewing my photos ... Picture on right: Hippo dictating to chief blog writer.

Ended where we began! (Port of Newport, OR)
Odometer 59,197.2 (12.7) Total 1054.4

On the Road - Day 9

Continental breakfast of muffins, bagels, cream cheese, juice and tea. Chatted with friendly people. Vance washed the windows before we left.

Eugene is a clean, busy, charming city. Went to Trader Joe's and Safeway, then North on 99 to Camping World in Junction City to have water pump checked. Also stopped at Countryside RV interiors, but they can't replace 1984 Class C Minnie Winnie co-pilot chair. Tons of RV dealer and service places in this area. On to Corvallis - 26 miles. Fruit and hazelnut trees in orderly lines. Lush green irrigated fields of wheat and other grains, squash and pumpkins. Benton County is an area of wineries, cut hay and cows ... saw very long lines of train cars for hauling hay and grain.

Interesting irrigation systems above ground look like long winged insects - tires at end and water tank at center. Ten to 12 of these hooked together to water a field. Lumbering - areas of collected logs ready to be milled. Tall commercial blueberry bushes. Hey, Mom, there is a Mary's River in Corvallis! Took Rt. 20 at the junction and headed west to Newport. Went through Philomath where there is a "Frolic and Rodeo" in July. Main street was lined with double hanging flower baskets full of petunias of many shades. Very welcoming. Ah, the smell of fresh cut cedar. The terrain is a wide valley with rolling hills, then we move into steep hills and evergreen forests.

Stopped for one-way traffic through a construction zone, rolled down windows and breathed in delicious air, relaxed during the 15 minute wait before it was our turn to go. A truck with flashing yellow light on cab lead us through the construction zone, and had us stop for trucks hauling debris away. Apparently this 10 mile project is straightening curves out of the road. There will be a big bridge at the other end. Dad! we passed the "Rain Forest Mushroom Company"! Trees grow so close together here, they only have needles at the top, rest of trunk does not get enough light. Saw a deer and spires of lupines - white, pink, purple, blue.

Got into Newport at 4:40 p.m. Fresh ocean air! First RV Park wouldn't take us because they had a 25' minimum for RV length. Second RV Park was full. So we stayed, luckily, at the Port of Newport RV Park, right at the marina. Our "host" directed us to the Rogue Brewery, a short walk away, for dinner where we sat with a great view of the marina and bridge. Food was mediocre. Took photo of bridge at sunset.

Ended at Port of Newport, Newport, OR
Odometer 59,184.5 (113.2) Total: 1041.7

On the Road - Day 8

On to the Waterfalls along the Rogue Umpqua Scenic Byway - Rt. 138! Walked along the campground's beach area on Lake Lemolo. Water is a deep blue-evergreen color and very clear. Turned to look back over my shoulder and saw several snowy peaks beyond the hills surrounding the lake. Gorgeous perspective. Took pictures of a kayaker out for an early paddle. Headed out Rt. 138. Took photos at Clearwater Falls (picture on left, above) which is two falls, wider on the left. Very mossy spot. Whitehorse Falls is a 15 foot falls in a series of short falls (picture, right). It had a nice wooden ramp to an overlook. Missed Watson falls, 272 feet, as chose not to do the .6 mile moderate hike to get to it. Toketee Falls was noted to have a .6 mile easy walk to a 120 foot tiered fall through lava flow of columnar basalt. Unfortunately it was closed.

Pulled off Rt. 138 and lunched at a turnout - split pea soup and cheese sandwiches. The North Umpqua River flowed swiftly past. A couple of inflatable rafts overflowing with people bounced against the rocks. Rich - sign indicated that this is "artificial fly territory". Occasionally saw quiet pools with folks fly-fishing. Paused in Glide where the "crashing rivers" supposedly meet head on, but were not crashing as the water was low. Took photos of boys jumping from rocks into the water and swimming. Just like Huck and Tom Sawyer.

Headed north on Rt. 5 from Roseburg. Saw round bales of hay in fields. Stopped at Costco in Eugene for gas and a flat of bottled water. Then went to our highly rated stop for the night - Premier RV Resort. Friendly, helpful, very clean, and the nicest shower you could imagine. Spacious tile lined room, HOT water, no quarters required, the shower head could be placed in a holder and the height adjusted from short to very tall. It was a thrill! Made pork, applesauce, green beans, and garlic rice for supper. Worked on computer, putting Vance's expense data into an Excel spreadsheet.

Ended at Premier RV Resort, 33022 Van Duyn Rd., Eugene, OR 97408
Odometer 59,071.3 (162.5) Total: 928.5

On the Road - Day 7

Peach spice cake and tea for breakfast. Battened down the hatches and started off. Local Dutch Brothers Coffee spots (photo) have mango smoothie that we shared. They, again, gave it to us for free!

Pilot Travel Center (truckers) had the inverter we needed to charge the computer, cameras and cell phones. The inverter has given us more freedom to power our electrical equipment without having an external power source. Headed North on Rt. 62 to Crater Lake. Vance mused, "Traveling where you are is such a different experience than traveling where you are going to. Not a going somewhere." The first is relaxed, comfortable and present while the second is less so.

Learned that Oregon uses flashing yellow left turn signals - so traffic can turn if no oncoming cars. Smart! As we left Medford, we saw a mountain peak in the distance with snow fingers running down it. Will see if I can figure out which mountain it is.

Shady Cove is a flat flood plain on Elk Creek with many tourist dependent businesses. Reminds me of the Russian River area. Fly fishing is very big here. One business we passed was "Pat's Hand-tied Flies". Moving slowly to higher elevations - "chug-a-wug-ah". Lost Creek Reservoir has a fish hatchery and is the launch area for inflatable raft trips on Elk Creek. Looks like fun.

Pulled off Rt. 62 onto "Timber cutting boundary" spot to have lunch. Salami sandwiches, sweet pickles, apples and milk. I am aware of every baggie we use / wash / and re-use - not polluting the landscape. Also using water very sparingly, and I capture what washes off lettuce leaves to rinse the apples. We drink, brush teeth, take meds, and cook with bottled water. The tank water is used to wash dishes, hands, faces, and flush. We do laundry and take showers where we stop for the night - if facilities are available. Back to lunch stop - Deuter's Land of Enchantment softens the atmosphere. Ah, music, screens, a shady place - "roughing it" is pretty great.

Rogue River National Forest offered a photo op. at the Rogue Gorge. I climbed a fence to get into the Viewpoint area. A number of short falls, lava tubes and a chasm were thrilling sites. The forest has ground cover, low bushes that are a moist green - not the dusty/dry of Route 35 (Skyline/San Mateo) woods. Fire Hazard registered Low today.

Noticed VERY tall roadside snow poles - for plows. Area gets about 533 inches of snow a year! At 3:15 p.m. on the sunny side of the road, there is SNOW, and on back into the woods.










Crater Lake had snow all along the top. The East Rim Drive and all hiking trails are closed because of snow. First look at the lake: - blue, Blue - BLUE! And STEEP sides - formed from the collapse of a volcano. As we drove around the Western Rim, saw fields of snow, and beyond the blue ranges of hills and mountains growing more pale in the distance. The sheer steep edge to the road sends a chill up my spine. At the North Junction we could see three snow capped peaks. In the distance we saw an odd barren area. We discovered it was the Pumice Desert. As we drove along tree lined roads, a turn would reveal the dramatic view of a mountain ahead. Before I could grab the camera, another turn changed the view, and the mountain was out of sight. Other turns were not the same angle. I will try to keep the camera on my wrist.

We checked out two other places - one was full, the other felt not quite right - before settling in for the night at Poole Creek in the National Forest. Mosquitoes for company - peering in from the screens. Didn't have hot dogs to go with beans, or find the can of hash I thought I packed. But all turned out well. Signing off to go to bed.

Ended at Poole Creek Campground (near Crater Lake). [No showers, but there is swimming in the big creek.]
Odometer 58,908.8 (131.4) Total: 766.0

On the Road - Day 6

Pat had a hot shower at Moon Mountain RV Resort, sure felt good. Would stay at this RV Resort again. We decided to discover more of Grants Pass. Had brochures listing art galleries, restaurants, events, etc.

There was an Oregon themed outdoor art display in the older section of town - art doors! along several of the streets. Took my digital camera (just finished reading the manual and charging the battery) and captured a number of the doors.

Had a mango smoothie at Dutch Brothers - the Grants Pass local coffee company. Vance bought an Irish Creme Mocha. But when the barista found out that this was our first time trying their drinks, she gave us back our money!

We walked a little ways and found the Miranda Mae Cafe. We were going to check the menu posted outside to see if we wanted to go in. A couple came out and told us "everything is great" here. We had lunch at Miranda's place and it was, indeed, delicious and artfully presented.

We then headed for glassblowing at the Glass Forge. Took our time looking at the exquisitely colored glass goods. Pat decided on a vase. The three glassblowers were busy at their work - real team work - and explained each step of the process. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Headed east on Rt. 5 to Medford and found that the Chapins were not home. We used their driveway to "camp" overnight. Harry & David's gift store is here, so we arrived just before closing and browsed a bit. Instead of taking their factory tour tomorrow, we will just go to Crater Lake. Also shopped at Safeway for meat, milk, bread and veggies. Went to Costco for gas.

Dinner: mozzarella wrapped in salami, artichoke hearts, mushroom quarters, tomato wedges with fresh basil antipasto; left over salad from lunch with fresh Washington shrimp, blood orange soda and pastry from Harry & David - cinnamon & walnut.

Ended at Chapin's, 1443 E. Main, Medford, OR [No check out time, private & quiet, missed Gary and Karen.]
Odometer 58,777.4 (51.4) Total: 634.6

On the Road - Day 5

At Panther Flat the large showers had water warm, a definite plus. After bacon and eggs we walked down to the stream and took photos of the swimming hole and water rushing over rocks - great sound. The mountain across the stream had a rock slide and rocks made for white water.

Because we awoke at 4 a.m. this morning, we needed a nap at the Collier Tunnel rest stop. Ralph Collier was a Siskiyou County Senator and California's "Father of California Freeways".

We crossed into Oregon (Rt. 199) and headed towards Cave Junction. In O'Brien got gas, only 2.87 per gal. (2.82 cash) and were told it got cheaper as you went north. In Oregon you cannot pump your own gas - gas station attendants have to do it. From there Vance drove the 20 miles of narrow and winding (no guard rails!) road to the Oregon Caves National Monument. 2009 is the 100th anniversary of the Monument being "set aside" by President Taft. 2009 is also Oregon's 150th anniversary.

The 90 minute guided Cave Tour was 6/10 mile long and included over 500 stairs (many steep, uneven, and wet!) Thank goodness we were mostly going up, as my knees hurt when going down. Had to bend and twist because of low passageways. The "caveman walk" is when you crouch with feet and knees apart and hands on knees. Hands support upper body so we didn't have such achy backs. At least I didn't get stuck which was my fear. When I felt claustrophobic, only once, I breathed through it. The cave interior temperature is 44⁰ F year round. Glad we had our jackets. We wound our way single file over metal bridges. stairs (both metal and stone) and partially cemented paths to chambers displaying various stalactite and stalagmite formations made from different mineral deposit forms - like soda straws, flow stone drapery, popcorn and moonmilk. Our guide told us that the drips that occasionally hit our necks are called "cave kisses".

At each stopping point our group would gather and hear about the history of how the caves were discovered, how limestone becomes marble by volcanic action, how people have damaged the caves with blasting and touching the formations, how, in the 1930s, a couple was married in a large chamber wearing caveman fur clothing, and other interesting tidbits.

We had a nice lunch at the Chateau Lodge next to the cave entrance.

Ended at Moon Mountain RV Resort, Grants Pass, OR. [Would come again. Mgr. Frank friendly and helpful w/wifi. HOT showers.]
Odometer 58,726.0 (106.0) Total: 583.2

On the Road - Day 4

[Father's Day]
-- Pat called her dad -- Vance received calls from Joy, Saira, Donn

Drove through the Avenue of the Giants - Ancient Redwoods. At Redcrest gift shop picked up placemats of Redwoods Coast. Followed the Eel River for a while, which "snaked" back and forth to the left of our relatively straight road. Stunning steep mountain country. We are feeling relaxed and no longer watching the watch.

In Eureka went to Kinko's to laminate our Journey Together - Pat's 2006 poem...we're going to put it up in the RV:
Thoughts
We're setting out on a journey
You and I
As we navigate the winding road
of life - together
I'll trust your hand on the wheel
And your foot on the pedal
And my spirit will lift
To the tune you whistle
as we enjoy the landscape
whizzing by
Ah - and all of the interesting places
We visit along the way
It is a fine companion I'll be

We were directed to a fish restaurant, but couldn't get there as the RV is 10'6" and the underpass was noted at 10' even! Good thing we saw the sign in time to avoid decapitating the "clamshell" storage box on top.

Stopped 2 towns north at McKinleyville for a Denny's lunch of chicken fried steak for Vance and Grilled Shrimp for Pat - we can both order off the senior menu! Took photos (VAK camera) of the sea stacks about 10 miles south of Crescent City.

Heading inland, everywhere I looked, I said, "Oh my God, it is so beautiful here." Deep green Douglas fir trees. We called ahead to stay at an RV place on Rt.199 that turned out to look like a parking lot, so we proceeded on to Panther Flat, a USDA camp in the Six Rivers National Forest. A stream flowed past just below our site. Light filtering through the trees brought the scene to life. Very nice "hosts" - lady in a wheelchair and her husband.

Ended at Panther Flat - Six River Forest USDA site. [Warm showers, $1.50 worth of quarters gave 6 minutes to shower, green woods location on a lively stream.]
Odometer 58,620.0 (170.8) Total: 477.2

On the Road - Day 3

Had a disappointing KOA breakfast of BLAH blueberry pancakes with phony syrup and "I can't believe it's not butter" spread, orange colored juice that only tasted remotely of orange and mediocre sausages. Vance said the coffee was rancid and threw it out ... I'll make blueberry pancakes tomorrow!

I (Pat) organized our bath toiletries to better rearrange things, and make the storage (shower) area less noisy. We literally just pulled off 101 north of Hopland and ate tuna sandwiches and orange slices right there, within feet of the highway! On we go. 101 North. Sitting sideways in the "living room chair", I watch the landscape pass by. Birds of prey - curved beaks and talons - float with steady wings outstretched, tip feathers spread wide. They drift down following the river.


We passed Garberville and turned off for "Miranda, CA" - population 350! Gas station, church, market, motel, schools, veterans hall - what more do you need? We delighted in pert poppies and huge heads of Queen Ann's lace, colorful azaleas, yellow paint brush and tiny white daisies along the edge of the road. On our route back towards 101 we came across the entrance to Hidden Springs Campground, part of Humboldt Redwoods State Park, and turned in for the night. Bear country, so we keep food secure. Reminds me of when Ruthie went to Yosemite, stayed in a cabin, and a bear broke the car window to get a can of bacon! Heard that all Humboldt County State parks are to close because of the State Budget.

Ended at Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Hidden Springs Campground. [Nice and quiet, lots of trees.]
Odometer 58,449. 2 (143.9) Total: 306.4

On the Road - Day 2

Drove back to Santa Rosa for the Charles Schulz Museum. Pat's idea. Vance said, "You want to go back!?" Incredulous. We will figure out what we want to see each day before we start out - so no more back tracking. [Yeah, right! - Vance] The Charles M. Schulz Museum was extremely well done, Sparky's life growing up, in the military, and as a professional artist was detailed upstairs. The Peanuts comic strip was downstairs. Since Snoopy is the first beagle on the Moon, the exhibit included a NASA lunar module children could, dressed as astronauts, play inside. The architecture was superb, beautiful parquet floors, heavy doors to restrooms, comic tiles in restrooms, etc.




We then drove to Cloverdale. Passed the Martinelli vineyards - grape vines/ stretching along wires/ to just touch/ neighbors. Stopped at the Kendall Jackson tasting room, gorgeous gardens. Couldn't find a postcard to send to Kim (who likes K.J. wines.)

The Cloverdale KOA had a nice little pond we walked around, with wooden log double seat swings at scenic points. We watched the cattails sway in the breeze and listened to the rustle of leaves. Nice view of the valley. Vance hit the golf ball half as many times as I did in miniature golf - lucky duck. Guess high score doesn't win! Twelve young children occupied the hot tub that had a sign on the gated entrance - no one under 18 allowed! RV site was arranged so dining windows looked out on forest - lovely green. Quiet. Cooked hot dogs and Amy's macaroni & cheese and green salad for supper. Sleeping comfortably on our new mattress.

Ended at Cloverdale KOA, Cloverdale, CA < [Kid oriented, crowded, noisy, blah breakfast, tepid shower, nice view]
Odometer 58,305.3 (62.4 miles) Total: 162.5 miles

On the Road - Day 1

Begin from: 7 N. Norfolk St., San Mateo, CA
Begin odometer: 58,142.8

Driving 101 North, we chose to take a less hectic route through San Francisco. Turning down Brotherhood Way, we skirted Lake Merced and headed along Sunset Avenue, through Golden Gate Park and the Presidio to the Golden Gate Bridge. Farewell dear city.

Fog curled over the western hills of Marin, but Mt. Tamalpias was in the clear. Busy commuter traffic until past San Rafael. Rest of the way to Santa Rosa was a breeze, allowing Pat to sit at the dining table and watch the rolling golden hills of Marin pass by. The rounded scrub oak is some different from the pointy pine covered landscape of Maine.

We stopped at a grocery store where we could park in four parking spaces to accommodate the RVs length and width. Vance rolled down his window and asked a "local" woman where we could get a good meal. She asked what kind of food we liked, and he listed several types. Apparently Santa Rosa has a wide variety of excellent restaurants. We were guided to Chellino's Mexican Restaurant just across the street where we had a fine "first meal of the trip" - enchilada and tamale split between us.
We looked up RV parks in the Santa Rosa area in the Trailer Life Directory. Our first night was at the River Bend "Resort" on the Russian River. The PR was better than the actual place. RVs shoulder to shoulder, head to toe on a bluff above the water. We will explore the outdoors in the morning.

Ended at River Bend Resort, Forestville, CA < [Steep bluff above River, few trees, had showers but we didn't use them.]
Odometer 58,242.9 (100.1) Total: 100.1
[This format will be followed throughout this blog: odometer reading; (miles traveled today); total miles of trip so far(in bold).]