Windsor, California to Keizer, Oregon through July 24, 2015

(Mike here, man, it is hard to get the saddle back on and cinched down. We are back on the road for a short time and I don’t remember how we published daily for so long! We will figure it out though…)

To 7/24/2015

We left Worldmark at Windsor around 9:00 AM and drove a very short distance to a nearby gas station and filled up and got a car wash. Next to the gas station was a Burger King (no McDonald’s nearby), where we got our “to go” breakfast.

Burger King for breakfast was disappointing.

The drive this first day was to Crescent City, about a 300 mile trip. The roads were good and the weather was beautiful for the drive. We didn’t do any real side trips as it was a long day on the road. Drove through beautiful wine country and through lots of beautiful redwoods. The landscape looked greener to us, not as parched as near our home in Monterey County.

I may not be able to move out of California.

We got into Eureka and drove around. We stopped to look at the Carson House (don’t think it’s called that anymore), but it’s a beautiful huge Victorian home near the boat harbor.

The Carson house. Built in 1884 for a lumber baron, now a private club, and has been continuously maintained structure ever since. — The Carson house. Built in 1884 for a lumber baron, now a private club, and has been a continuously maintained structure ever since it was constructed.

After we looked at the Carson House, we drove across the bridge to the “Samoa Cookhouse.” Michael had eaten there many years ago and had talked about it over the years. It’s an old lumber cook house turned restaurant. It’s been in operation for over a hundred years. It was opened to the public in the 1960’s. You eat family style and the only choice you have is what they cook for that day. The day we ate we had fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, beans, bread, soup, salad, and a brownie for dessert. You can eat as much as you want. We got the senior discount and it cost about $13 per person.

Family style dinning. — Family style dining.

Nice salad, homemade bread and a tasty vegetable soup.

We were hungry and out of practice. Totally spaced and took no more food pictures. It was as you would imagine...good. — We were hungry and out of practice. Totally spaced and took no more food pictures. It was as you would imagine…good.

This seems wrong now, more than a thousand years in the making and a "see what we cut down" photo. — This seems wrong now, more than a thousand years in the making and a “see what we cut down” photo.

We left the Samoa Cookhouse, bellies quite full, and drove the rest of the way into Crescent City. We took a tiny little detour on a road that implied you could see elk. We were disappointed in that we didn’t see any until we were leaving and then saw three off in the distance. They were almost completely camouflaged in the weeds and grasses but because they were moving, we were able to see them. Further down the road, and near the city limits of Crescent City, we saw a large herd of elk. Such beautiful creatures.

Highway 101 finally rejoins the coastline.

There are some very nice forested areas on the way.

Invasive grass from south America. — Invasive grass from South America.

Crescent City is right on the water and it was there that I read the New Yorker article about the big one. — Crescent City is right on the water and it was there that I read the New Yorker article about the big one (earthquake).

We got to our hotel (Travelodge) around 4:30 PM. The front desk person was so fun and told us places we should go see. Michael and I were both so tired, we just went to our room and crashed for awhile. Later in the evening, Michael walked next door to the Taco Bell and got us a very light dinner. We were surprised in that the room was pretty quiet for being such an old hotel.

Parking right in fron of the room, Taco Bell across the lot. — Parking right in front of the room, Taco Bell across the lot.

Standard room, Edie got the nigh free on reward points from Wyndham. — Standard room, Edie got the night free on reward points from Wyndham.

The next day we left around 9:30 AM and headed East towards Highway 5, another 300 miles or so. Before we left town, we went to a McDonald’s for our favorite breakfast (egg white delights and coffee) and we also got some gas. We decided to go see Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park, which is very close to town and about a 10 to 15 mile drive on a gravel road. What a beautiful place where time has stood still. Would have loved to have been able to spend a week or so exploring and hiking the various trails and fun places to see. It took quite awhile to get back onto the main road but the little side trip was so worth it.

Got some gas before heading off, really like having a full tank when cities are few and freeways are far away.

Somebody's beautiful field on our way out of town. — Somebody’s beautiful field on our way out of town.

Into the redwoods again, so beautiful and majestic.

certainly many hundreds of years old. — Certainly many hundreds of years old.

and the big ones easily more than a thousand years old. I think that is the spiritual sense that so many feel when they are in the presence of such an old living plant. — And the big ones easily more than a thousand years old. I think that is the spiritual sense that so many feel when they are in the presence of such an old living plant.

Almost a protective sense of quiet and care is emitted.

The bark looks like vines on some of the trees.

I almost stopped to get a picture of Edie standing in the tree, it would have been just about right for her to stand there.

They are down on their rainfall, but it looks green and wet to us.

Crossing into Oregon on highway 199. — Crossing into Oregon on Highway 199.

Police presence in the backwoods is modest.

Lots of agriculture up the I5 corridor. — Lots of agriculture up the I-5 corridor.

We stopped near Canyonville, Oregon for a potty stop and to get something to drink. We also got a little snack because we knew we wouldn’t be eating until we got our favorite pizza in the world – Paddington’s Pizza in Salem, Oregon. We got to Salem and stopped at the Costco to buy me a new computer (no sales tax in Oregon and Michael was tired of sharing his computer with me). From there we headed to Paddington’s Pizza on Pine Avenue. They have two in Salem but we like the one on Pine Avenue. We got our pizza and headed to brother John’s house.

Edie's favorite Pizza parlor. — Edie’s favorite pizza parlor.

The "Humdinger" made without sauce and a ultra thin crust. — The “Humdinger” made with very little sauce and a ultra thin crust.

The rest of our time has been visiting with family and friends. So wonderful to see everyone. All we have talked to seem to be doing well. The weather has been fantastic (actually quite hot at times). We had dinner with a high school friend of Michael’s, Larry and Renee. They are joining us in Victoria and we really enjoy them.

Renee made squash enchilada’s. They were delicious. As we ate, Larry told the story that 2 years ago, when they were visiting their daughter in Wisconsin, they met an archaeologist that had been digging at an Indian site and found a clay pot with seeds inside. Radiocarbon dating indicated they were about 850 years old. They planted the seeds and some took root. Larry got some of the propagated seeds and brought them home to Oregon and planted them. The first batch failed. The second batch he started in a window box and several took root. He transplanted them to his garden. The squash we were eating was from those seeds.

The squash grows big and is a winter squash, but if you pick it early, it is nice and tender.

One iteration removed from a 850 year nap.

Every other natural plant was likely alive 850 years ago and came forward through time in the usual cycles and seasons, still, this felt special.

It is a vigorous plant with a strong design to live.

We have another week of visiting and going up to look at places in the Vancouver, Washington area for when/if we move there when we sell our place in Prunedale.

Anyway, that has been our time here. Hope yours was great!