James had a work day so we headed out after a big breakfast. We started our day by heading down to the secret beach which was quite stunning. Sea caves, sea stars, sea stacks, sea waterfalls, sea anemone.
After spending the morning in secret we headed to whales head for lunch. After lunch we stopped at the fish market for some fresh salmon, and tuna for our poke bowls which Fiona made. We grabbed James after some turtle time and hit, Harris, the natural bridge and lone ranch Beach.
This morning after a beautiful beach run at low tide with sea stars and fog we hopped in the car and traveled down to redwoods national Park. We started with the lady bird Johnson trail which was dedicated by Nixon (r) after Johnson (d)left office. We spent a good amount of time discussing how far we’ve sunk regarding the civility of our current president. Now we have a thug posting petty insulting narratives under the past presidents portraits. Alas, back to the trees. Here are some lovely pictures.
We couldn’t get passes to Fern canyon. We didn’t know that was required in advance. Our last visit here, we hiked the 10 miles to get there and realized when we got there that people could just drive in. So instead we took the James Irvine to cathedral trees trail right out of the prairie creek visitor center which was truly amazing.
Sadira and James made shrimp tacos when we got home. It’s good to be here in Brookings.
George and I walked Mt Tabor a extinct cinder cone volcano/city Park. Then we gathered the kids for breakfast at jams in Hawthorne before heading out of Portland.
The ride into Brookings was long but relatively easy. The Pacifica rides with style. Our first glimpse of the Pacific Ocean was by the sand dunes. Then we had an epic feast when we got here, Dinner with a view.
We signed Fiona’s and Ashe’s paper work for their new Portland apartment early on Sunday morning and got busy having fun.
Picture from the new Portlandians on their front stoop.
The timberline Lodge was built during the great depression and is a testament to American history. It’s an awesome hotel that is open to the public from our history when we all worked together to lift Americans up. It contrasts so much to the gaudy gold decor ballroom that the molester in chief is going to build and make us pay for and I’ll never get a chance to step foot in (don’t get me started). It is also where the shining was filmed. It’s beautiful with a rich history and unique craftsmanship and has an amazing view.
After the lodge we stopped by the international rose test garden. It was founded in 1917 as a safe haven for roses from wwi. It now showcases over 600 varieties of roses and has views of Mt Hood. Sign me up
We started our summer fun with a reconnaissance mission to Portland to find housing for Fiona and to see what Portland has to offer. We kept Portland weird. We visited the Columbia River gorge, roster Rock, and multiple water falls. George and I took a trail to nowhere while the kids saw Multnomah falls, but our reward was a giant cookie. We ended the day at mcmenamins in troutdale but oddly, I took no pictures (having been there before… ). We had a delicious dinner and a designated driver.
We met up with Dwyers during the evenings in Seattle. I was at the conference so just pictures are of food;)
Second Austin pigout
We transitioned into town after the work week and made the most of our time. We visited the Ballard locks which is how Seattle boaters get to and from the lakes to the ocean. We also took a trot around green lake and the woodland Park area and feasted on dungenous crabs.
The weekend started with a California Honeydrops concert and an amazing dinner with the Austin tribe of Bellevue and a thorough hunting of trolls.
This link should show all the trolls. There are some in Asheville now which gives us something to look forward to.
https://share.google/NTQwJQIDw5fWSYP3M
I have to include the video of Jingran making the dumplings.
Lastly, I’m not a serious foodie, but omg this how this hole in the wall diner, Dish Cafe serves.
I’ve got a conference in Seattle, so we have taken a week before to explore Whidbey Island for my future book writing home (jk I’m not creative enough to write a novel). But if you were going to write a novel this is where you do it.
I was working by the bird feeder which was a nature channel distraction. Here are a few of my favorites.. downy and paleated woodpeckers and a red shafted flicker.
We did take a hike on Ebey’s landing but somehow missed the mega pod of orcas that just happened to be passing through and the Aurora borealis on last Tuesday, but we had a fabulous hike on the cliffs. We even saw Mt Baker.
We left Ridgeway and drove the nail-biting 11,312 feet through monarch pass pulling the clamshell. It was slow going but Rusty (the Rav4) made its 9th trip across the Continental divide. George has diagnosed me with hill anxiety. There’s a beer for that. In fact. I want someone to name a beer ‘hill anxiety’ in my Honor.
We parked the camper at Chatfiel turned the AC on, went to eat Mexican and moved onward to Roxborough State Park. Roxborough is a hidden gem but doesn’t allow dogs. Ringo was pleased. I think he needed a day off.
We had a relaxing evening at Chatfield before getting up early to drop Fiona at the Denver (circus) airport to return to Raleigh for her last year at NC State.
The top out temperature was 106 degrees yesterday somewhere in Kansas. The last picture is on our way home. Shawnee lake outside of Topeka Kansas, which was 22 bucks. Cha-ching. We should arrive at Edgar Evans State Park in TN tonight.
At first we were just going to Ouray but realized the hikes we planned were actually on the perimeter trail. It was also a hot day, so we headed for higher elevation. The hike we did yesterday outside Silverton was at 12k feet so we headed back that direction and stopped at Molas lake. It was also less smoky today. (Bonus)
We by-passed Silverton since we had already decided to eat in Ridgeway. We ate at the local brewery (again) and had pizza (again), but it was delicious. The wood fired pizzas are yummy in these small mountain towns.
It’s about the Journey….
spending all my money in all the best ways
Roll On
Roll On
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