Trip Itinerary

Actual Trip Itinerary

Date      Location

4/24      Avondale-Yuma
4/25      Yuma-San Diego
4/26      San Diego-Balboa Park-Temecula
4/27      Temecula-Dana Point/beaches-Temecula-Riverside
4/28      Riverside-Tustin-LA-Simi Valley
4/29      Simi Valley-Ventura-Santa Barbara-Solvang-Pismo Beach-San Luis Obispo-Cambria 
4/30      Cambria-Big Sur- Carmel by the Sea-Monterey-San Jose-Benicia-San Francisco
5/1        San Fran- Bodega Bay-Fort Ross-Fort Bragg-Redwood Forest-Crescent City, CA
5/2        Crescent City- Otter Point State Park-Gold Beach, OR (Car broke down)
5/3        Gold Beach
5/4        Gold Beach-Coos Bay-Seal Rock-Newport-Tillamook-Nehalem Bay
5/6        Nehalem Bay-Cannon Beach-Astoria-Cape Disappointment-Washington Coast-Crescent Lake-Port Angeles-Bainbridge Island- ferry to Seattle
5/7        Seattle-Tacoma-Olympia-Vancouver, WA
5/8       Vancouver-Portland-Columbia Gorge-Mount Hood-Bend, OR
5/9       Bend-Mount Shasta-Crater Lake-Sacramento
5/10     Sacramento-San Bernadino-  I-10 to Avondale (home @1:30AM)

Mount Shasta, CA

Mount Shasta is another gorgeous mountain!  When I arrived, it was blanketed in clouds and snow. I took a few photos knowing I had to wait and capture a better one. I pulled over at a scenic area and silently waited for the clouds to lift. I waited....and waited...and spent some time dwelling on the past weeks as I drove from one state to another exploring everything I could.

It had been such a grand adventure full of lessons that would impact me in ways I never imagined. I listened to the radio, and I waited. I took more photos, but the snow and clouds were still in the way. I drove further down the road and waited some more, and as the sun shone brighter on the mountain top, I realized the full impact of this trip - of all I had seen. I rested my chin on the car window and let the breeze hit my face as I looked up at the mountain smiling at the memories created in the past 14 days. I smiled almost constantly on this trip.

Good things come to those who wait. Finally, I got the best photo possible on that day.
(click on photos to enlarge)

http://mtshastachamber.com/index.php

Crater Lake, Oregon

Crater Lake is stunning!  The drive through the farm country, and then the winding road to the top is gorgeous and with snow piled higher than I've ever seen. All roads except one were closed. Upon arriving at the top, I was surprised to see the impressive beauty of the lake with its rich, blue color of water surrounded by the dark, textured rocks and cliffs, and the smooth-as-glass water surface reflecting it like a mirror. With clouds hanging low across the water in some areas, snow falling, and the vastness of the lake, it was impossible to get a good photo of the entire lake. I tried. One slip on the snow and I'd be plummeting down into the crater - not an activity I wanted to participate in. The snow silently fell all around as we watched with awe. This is one of God's finest creations. (click on photos to enlarge)

http://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm

Day 15: Oregon Farms

Not many know this, but from age three until about five and a half, I lived on a farm in Sweet Home, Oregon. We had a cow, calf, horse, goat, chicken,s and a rabbit all housed in our own barn. We also had a pond with plenty of fish, huge frogs, surrounded by a massive garden, fruit trees, rolling hills, and blackberry bushes scattered among acres of green land.

I still hold fond memories of my time in Oregon and of farms in general. I guess it symbolizes simpler times, wholesome food, and a certain innocence. I also love farms for their perfect symmetry and lines within the crops and fences. An old weathered barn contains years of stories and character which represent hard work and dedication to a demanding life. Oregon has some beautiful farms.

(click on photos to enlarge)

Bend, Oregon

Numerous people told me I would love Bend, Oregon. They said it was just like Flagstaff, which is where I grew up.  To get there, one has to drive through various climate and scenery changes. It does resemble northern Arizona in many ways with the ponderosa pines, land similar to the reservation, and flat, open areas like near Winslow.

The town of Bend is a beautiful place to call home. It has a wonderful combination of modern, trendy areas, combined with traditional and historical ones. The downtown area is alive with a variety of people, musical talents, art displays, restaurants, and clubs. The heart of the downtown area is a beautiful park with a natural river running through one of the most beautiful old-town neighborhoods I have seen, filled with beautifully restored quaint traditional homes, complete with the United States flag proudly displayed on most of the homes. The Mill district is another unique and trendy area where they did a wonderful job updating the industrial area.

A must see if you like Flagstaff - Maybe even a second home if you once loved Flagstaff.

I roamed around the downtown area that evening looking for a great place to eat. Eating alone in a new town is not always easy, especially on a bustling Friday night. I walked into a Mexican food restaurant and was seated at the bar. The off-duty chef was seated next to me and as we began to talk, he offered his suggestion on what I should eat. I let him order for me and he selected a delicious, succulent tender cut of pork in a mole' sauce with seasoned rice and beans and warm, fresh, hand-made tortillas. He then took it upon himself to bring me dessert which consisted of three types of custard, all his own recipes - at no charge. It was one of the many gifts I was given on this journey. We never exchanged names, and I walked away with a full belly and without ever seeing him again, but it was a joyful time shared with a stranger in a beautiful place. Incredible!!

http://www.ci.bend.or.us/

Day 14: Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon

Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon are separated by the Columbia River and gorge. Both are known for their numerous captivating bridges, rivers, water falls, fishing, and mountains. Both are equally pleasing and stunningly beautiful.  If you know the area well, you'll know from the photos if we're on the north side of the river and in Washington, or on the south side and in Oregon. Everything was gorgeous and I often sat silently trying to take it all in.

My lifelong buddy and guide for the Vancouver/Portland area - Dennis Pritchard, a Vancouver sheriff's officer.

This series of photos begins and ends with photos of Mount Hood. The first is taken from the inside of the truck looking through the windshield. The last is taken from the top of Mount Hood while it was snowing.

http://www.cityofvancouver.us/

http://www.travelportland.com/