The Last Part of the First Adventure

We were back at the beach where we planned to spend the rest of our time before returning home. The weather was almost constantly beautiful. Every day and every night provided magnificent sunrises and sunsets and long walks in the sand. The days were growing longer, and we enjoyed every moment.

Staying in one place for two week allowed us to make friends with other regulars - especially the three couples we met from Oregon. Hank found a great buy on the bread machine of his dreams. We drove to Santa Barbara to get it. On return, he dazzled our campsite neighbors with the smell of baking bread and babka. We learned that sharing babka (a sweet bread made with vodka, orange peel and raisins) is a nice way to make friends.

Much as we hated to leave, it was time to return home. To my surprise, the trip back took only three days (two nights). This means it only takes three days to get back !!!! if we stay on the highway.

We stopped at a roadside market on the way out of Carpinteria and bought citrus and strawberries to sustain us. I had been told that the route along I-5 was ugly and boring. Not so. We were amazed by the huge stands of almond trees in full snowy bloom that lined both sides of the road. Of course seeing these only reinforced the potential harm of the terrible California drought. Nonetheless, they were beautiful and fragrant and highlighted by beautiful sky.

We drove about 350 miles the first day - following the rainbows that stayed all day (and started our day as well.) Dinner at the Harris Ranch was not as good as we remembered from an earlier visit, but our randomly selected camp ground was a beautiful surprise - lush with soft, dewy green grass - which we were told become the "Golden Hills" later in the season and stays that way most of the year. On arrival, we spotted herds of elk on both sides of us. Very nice.

The next day brought us almost to Oregon, past the heartbreakingly low lakes at Mt. Shasta. We spent a very chilly night at a campsite that appears to be someone's backyard property, grabbed breakfast at a diner, and were home before dinner. What a trip.

Happily - all was well at home. Our cat was thrilled to see us, and and our bed was a comfortable as we remembered.One thing we knew for sure, we were home from this trip, but we want to go again.

So - tomorrow (June 9) we head out again. I am sure that a summer trip will be different from winter travel - longer days on the plus side, the heat that has descended so early this year, on the down. As Hank says, we will see.

Heading to Santa Cruz with stops along the way

Today is Xmas eve eve. We have spent two nights at an unexpectedly beautiful KOA campsite - Costanoa.

Our site is in view of the ocean - a short walk down a hill and across the highway if we wanted to walk on the beach - but no dogs allowed  - so we walked the beautiful grounds of this place, essentially a full destination resort set on a hill over the Pacific among eucalyptus trees.

The place has horses, a garden, a fine dining (high-price) restaurant, a general store, a charming ranch house, hotel and more. Our site cost $66 once taxes and fees were added to the posted price of $50.

On Sunday, we hit the road around noon, after doing laundry. I spent some time at the Grace Hudson Art Museum, a lovely small museum and home of this California artist. The collection on view was of her paintings done in Hawaii in early 1900's, mostly of people. She is best known for her paintings of the Pomo Indians. The museum also houses a collection of baskets.  I had a tour of the early Craftsman style  house where she lived with her husband, (the collector) and painted.

Then it was time to move on. As we drove south the sun came out, the sky cleared and the scenery was green and gold. The first view of the Golden Gate bridge against the blue sky was awe inspiring. We decided to head for Rte 1, and drive along the coast. Such a beautiful area. In several places the view was total fog, others, rolling ocean.

As we started to look for an RV park, we soon discovered that they are not on every corner as they have been during the early parts of our trip. Many State Park camps are closed for the season, or closed due to drought. Several were just too expensive. Heading to Santa Cruz, it was getting dark and foggy on the Coast Road, so this KOA, was a perfect stopping place.

I was very happy to be stopped for the night, and in a place so warm and mild (though rainy) that we opened the camper door to let in the soft air. To celebrate I cooked an awesome pork, white bean and sweet potato stew in the pressure cooker, using many of the groceries I brought from home. In the morning, we decided to spend the day here, enjoying the sun and the view, and taking some time to reorganize and plan our next moves. Also, taking advantage of the wi-fi service to catch up with the world outside.

Today we move on again ... where will we go? To quote Q - "we'll see."

Avenue of the Giants and Ukiah

Started the day in Arcata, following the local guide listing to an irresistible location; the Brio Bakery and Café described as an artisan bakery. No disappointment here. We bought an excellent walnut wheat loaf and an epee at the bakery and we were directed to the charming café in the center of town for breakfast treats. Here we found a wonderful cooperative art gallery, lots of glass objects (read pipes) stores, a very hippie vibe and a lovely park in the center. Arcata claims to have the largest arts community on the west coast. There is certainly lots of beautiful art in the shops.




The guide also mentioned a mosaic house and workshop I had to see. It was just a few blocks away, a small appearing house on an ordinary street. The outside and throughout the entire interior, practically every surface (even the toilet tiled with pennies)  is covered with tile and pattern. Everything from the floors to a fabulous "pillow" of tiles that looks like fabric. It is also a bed and breakfast. We met the artist, her daughter and nice white dog. This house is definitely one of a kind.

After Arcata we headed south on. Rte. 101.

The decision of whether to travel along the coast or a little inland was made by the weather - lots of rain, storms and a high surf advisory complete with flood warnings sent us to through the redwoods following the Avenue of the Giants.

We camped in the afternoon in a park within the forest. Though the day had been bright, the redwoods absorb the light and create a dark, gloomy atmosphere, further darkened by the rain. The forest is intensely quiet and very wet (which is much needed in drought suffering California.) We walked along paths and over bridges among the trees, simply awed by their size and majesty. We saw no one else.

In our campsite (in the almost empty camp) I discovered this friendly protective bear spirit - guarding the trees no doubt.

Darkness came early (the night before the solstice,) and in the woods it was absolute. No moon, no stars, no light filtering in - we slept ten hours.

It was still raining in the morning. We headed further south, still among the giants and stopped at an Indian casino - thinking it might be fun on a rainy afternoon. In my opinion - NOT. This was such a depressing place - why would anyone spend time there?

So, on to Ukiah where we found a pretty ordinary RV park. It reminded me of a suburban neighborhood (which it is). We did have a great time walking (in the rain) to dinner, a surprisingly good  Asian buffet.

All this rain is making me very aware of the great clothes I have brought along - my red rain jacket over my awesome Columbia Sportwear vest was perfect!

Through the Redwood Forests

Day Three: Brookings

This afternoon is all about a be-here-now moment at Harris Beach State Park. We are parked on a bluff looking at the beach, on the a cusp between Oregon and California. We are just back from a beach walk with dogs, then lunch - fish and clam chowder of course, (does fish and chips count as Chanukah food?) and exploring the town of Brookings. It did not take long.

A Pacific storm has rolled in. The world is all in shades of grey and white. I am sitting in the camper, watching the ocean and the sky through broad, rain streaked windows, sipping hot sweet tea made in our little kitchen and listening to Mozart on the speaker system.

And Rosco is asking for a walk. It can’t be all perfect, but this is close.

We arrived here yesterday, from Grants Pass, driving through Redwood forests, crossing into California and back into Oregon. Though we had researched RV parks, (essentially large parking lots on the Port of Brookings Harbor Marina) with great views, we happened upon the State Park sign. Better.

This campground is a on the Nehalem State Park design, lots of trees, oceanside and good facilities. I plan to take advantage of the excellent shower before we take off again tomorrow –  $26 a night.

When we arrived at our camp site we had to wait for three handsome young bucks, with tiny new antlers, to move out of our spot, and watch us from across the road.

We spent the afternoon on the rocky beach and tide pool, and walking in the park. The weather was mild and grey. Though some of the rocks formations are in shades of red.

We lit our first Chanukah candle on our camping menorah. Sunset is 23 minutes later here than in Portland.  Just for this it’s worth traveling south.

After dark, several campers around the park turned on Christmas lights. It made for a lovely last walk before bed for all of us .  On a side note, I am constantly surprised that for some people, campers and camp sites are long-term homes.

Letting Go

I am blessed with many wise friends, one of whom sent me to an interesting article by Arthur C. Brooks in the Sunday New York Times. The article, Abundance Without Attachment talks about what in the long run really matters to us. My favorite part is, "Collect experiences, not things."  This is certainly the goal of our upcoming journey, but the article also helped me to focus on the dual pull I have been experiencing as departure gets closer.  

Yes I want to go, I can't wait to leave, but I am certainly awash with anxiety about this very leaving. Thinking about attachment has helped me to understand what I am feeling. 

I am attached to the comfort of my home, to the familiar routines, to my family and friends and to the everyday, week and month activities that make my life so rich and interesting. These are exactly the things I need to leave behind (for now); the things I need to detach myself from. In order to do this, I have to head into an unknown adventure.

Why? Because though it seems counterintuitive, it is all this good stuff that holds me in place that I need to leave behind at home, so that I can discover the challenges, changes, new sights and experiences to come that I hope will create memories, growth and learning  to last a lifetime .

Has Bins Will Travel: Getting Ready part 2

Cat who hates to travel

As I mentioned in the previous post, after deciding what we need, the next question is how to organize all to reduce chaos and make it easy to find my pajamas or my sunhat. The redesign of our camper included removing a large closet and replacing it with drawers from Ikea. This redesign also allowed Captain Q to enlarge the tiny kitchen counter, and add some under counter drawer space.

Summer camper trials showed that though this was a huge improvement, the large drawers quickly became a mess of stuff in no particular order. So, bins were the next idea. We spent several hours, tape measure in hand, looking for just the right bins for each storage area. This accomplished, we began to sort our stuff into categories, and then into their appropriate bins. We fit these into specific spaces. We each have four bins for clothing - all summer stuff in one, warm clothes in another. Everyday items are most accessible. So far so good.

Food and food prep items are also now arranged in the bins and drawers, as well as in overhead compartments - according to type. Cups hang on hooks, knives are on a magnet. Pots and pans and cleaning items all have place.

I have a nice zip bag that holds all my art supplies; tools have their place. Chains for the van, and anything repair related are tucked under one of the seat benches. Bedding is under another. Everything dog is loaded into dog bins, medicines and first aid are handy. With all of this accomplished, the final push focuses on prepping the house to leave. We have rerouted our mail, stopped the newspaper, and turned off cable TV. Its mighty quiet around here.

My refrigerator is now empty, all items either frozen, distributed or in the camper fridge ready to feed us on the road. My plants (a minor jungle's worth) are gathered together in sunny places to make it easy for our caretaker to take care of them. There is a pile of food for our cat who is staying home, and the rugs are all vacuumed.

Lights are on timers, the security system is in place and cars are filled with non-ethanol fuel for over wintering. Everyone who is home watching and caretaking knows their role. Loved ones have all been kissed good-bye. Tomorrow we roll.

Wish us luck and safe travel.