Keizer, Oregon to Prunedale, California May 29, 2014 to June 10, 2014

MAY 29 to JUNE 10, 2014

We got into Keizer, Oregon in the late afternoon. It was so wonderful to see brother John. The rest of the week was spent visiting, garage sales, and more visiting. We also went through Mamaw’s (Michael’s mother) last little bit of boxes before they went to the Goodwill. We got great visits and got to see people we haven’t seen in years. We got to see cousins, nieces, our Aunt Opal, second cousins, third cousins, good friends, and lots and lots of family.

My sister's dog, Harvey. — My sister’s dog, Harvey.

The Willamette Valley is in bloom and heavy with seed.

The Willamette River, one of the few that flows north, in the northern hemisphere.

A crop of flowers getting ready for harvest.

Visiting Aunt Opal, her grandson owns and operates the care facility, really nice for her.

One day, while I was getting my hair cut, Michael went over to the Verizon store next door to look at phone plans. He ended up with a quad copter (like a drone thing) that takes pictures. He’s so excited about what he can possibly do with it for the blog. He wished we had had it when we were in Monument Valley. He spent some time at brother John’s place trying to figure out how to work it. He’s still playing with it.

We left Oregon on June 6 around noon.

Driving is the most dangerous thing we do.

We had spent a couple of hours visiting with Johnny’s daughter who had flown in from New Orleans. Was good to see her. We spent that night in Yreka.

Saw this Prius, had not seen this color before. We are Priusphiles (lovers of Prius's). — Saw this Prius, had not seen this color before. We are Priusphiles (lovers of Prius’s).

The next day we drove through Lassen Park. It was beautiful. There was still snow on the ground and as you drove up the mountain, some of the lakes were just beginning to thaw. Really glad we did it – but it’s one of those things where once is enough. We even got to see mountain heather flowers in bloom. Beautiful.

We entered the park from the North this time.

Lassen last erupted in 1914 & 15. It is dramatic landscapes with a dramatic future.

Great views as we drove up to the summit.

We thought we'd end up driving into the caldera, the road just kept climbing. — We thought we’d end up driving into the caldera, the road just kept climbing.

Start out in summer and drive into winter!

I find things like this so fascinating, I imagine the glacier that trapped and moved this boulder, then melted away.

Smooth rocks ground down by the same glacier.

A boiling cauldron, 6 miles above the really hot stuff. A reminder of how hot it well get.

We found a Broasted Chicken place for linner.

Old time place in Chester, on the shores of Lake Almanor.

Edie had tacos and an ice cream thing, she shared.

We got into Sparks, Nevada around 6:00 PM. We were so tired we didn’t even go downstairs once we got into our room. Nice room, very spacious, and no smell upstairs of the smoke. While we were checking in I kept seeing women walking by with robes on and really fake looking dark tans. Could never figure out what competition was going on because they didn’t look like body builders, just tanners.

I don't think we won or lost here. — I don’t think we won or lost here.

We left the next morning and headed to Pat and Sharon’s place, near Dayton, Nevada. They decided they didn’t want to go out to dinner, that they were going to BBQ and we’d sit around and visit. We had a wonderful time just eating, talking, sharing, drinking, eating some more, laughing, and having a really nice time.

They are really good cooks so I assumed the position.

Later in the evening we watched Gravity (with Sandra Bullock). Very nice day. The next morning (June 9) we woke up to breakfast being made. We left shortly after breakfast (around 10:00 AM).

Like the overpass art too. Northern Nevada art is different than the southern Nevada art.

Drove past our home resort, which we sold but they are dragging their feet at transferring the deed. A little disappointed and mad at them at the moment.

A pretty drive out of the Sierra's. — A pretty drive out of the Sierra’s.

Lots of down hill miles on the way home. Ended averaging 55 MPG from Oregon to Prunedale.

We got into Prunedale, California around 4:30 PM. We were loving the new Prius with 55 MPG average on the drive home (lots of downhill and recharging of the batteries). Love it!

We woke up late on Tuesday morning, lazed around, unloaded the car, and then went to Costco to load the car back up.

That has been our time. We’re really wanting to finish up this place and get back on the road. Lexi still hasn’t found a job but she’s been called back for more interviews. Our fingers are crossed something will happen soon.