But so do the shores of southern Oregon, so let’s start with that.
That’s where we spent all last week. Other than a temporary internet and cell blackout (someone clipped some fiber optic lines mid week), it was a great location.
We took Tuesday afternoon to do some hiking. Here’s a particularly perilous overlook (we turned back):
A little while later we found an equally impressive, slightly safer overlook. For scale, that red spot to the right is Amy:
The aptly named “secret beach” (it was tucked away and a little hard to find) was the favorite spot for the afternoon:
At this point, the discarding of footwear and racing toward the ocean is second nature:
I knocked out a little work back at the car and then joined Amy and the girls in time for sunset.
The next day we took another sunset walk:
An unusually friendly passerby insisted on taking our photo. It’s one of the few family photos with all of us, so sure, ok:
On Friday we reached California. Here we are above the clouds. We were actually not that high up, it’s just the clouds were very low. The clouds seem weird in northern California:
Now, ’bout them redwoods: They are simply magnificent.
Some of these things are over 2000 years old. I just can’t comprehend that.
Even though several of these are hollow — you can walk inside — they are still alive and kicking:
We were boondocking it all weekend (that’s RV-speak for no water, electric or sewer connections) which allows for some nice quiet family time. And going to bed early. It’s awesome.
We polished off the last Washington apple. So good:
We did some more hiking the next morning:
This place felt like just a few Ewoks and a speederbike away from being Endor:
This morning we took one last walk before hitting the road. Saw some cool banana slugs:
…and a salamander:
…and of course more big trees and stumps:
And to think: these giants start out as this:
Here’s our camping spot from last night (one of my favorite I think):
We broke camp and headed farther south along Highway 101 until we got to Santa Rosa in Sonoma County California. They say some of the best wine comes from around here, but I’ll be the judge of that.
We stopped short of reaching San Fransisco (we’re about an hour away) because the RV parks are pretty pricy at ~$75/night. It’s not much to look at, but we found a fine spot at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds with full hookups for $22.50/night. Now we’re talking:
Emily and Natalie promptly got to work in the gravel:
So Halloween is tomorrow, and some internet research revealed that San Fransisco is one of the best places for trick-or-treating; a documented trifecta of affluence, festiveness, and relative safety.
So get your candy ready San Fransisco, the Arnolds are coming…