1/21: Newport to Brookings
Yes -- we are both still alive and talking after day one!!
We left late Tuesday afternoon and drove to Newport so we could get and early start on the trip (so Tuesday doesn't really count as part of the trip!)
We left Newport just as the sun was rising and enjoyed a beautiful day driving down the Oregon coast. We decided that the last time we had seen this part of the state was 30+ years ago when we were living in Yoncalla and had to travel for football games.
We arrived at Bandon Dunes about noon and asked about playing the short course. We were lucky -- it was totally open with no tee times until about 1:30. We paid the green fee -- a paltry $50 each for a 13 hole executive course -- and enjoyed 2 hours of sun, golf and amazing ocean views. Oh, and did I mention a challenging par 3 course where I actually managed to get 2 birdies!!!
Back in the car to continue down the coast to our final destination of Brookings for the night. The scenery was great with the sun shining the entire time. We even had an opportunity to sit and look at the ocean for an hour as we were stuck in traffic due to a pretty major wreck -- we found out later.
Arrival in Brookings was right at sunset -- pretty much the same beautiful scenery that started out the day!
Arrival in Brookings was right at sunset -- pretty much the same beautiful scenery that started out the day!
1/22: Brookings to Eureka
We woke up to another sunny day in our gorgeous room at the Mt Emily Ranch B&B in Brookings. Carol, our fabulous hostess, served Cecil a full breakfast and I had homemade banana bread and a perfect cup of coffee. There were also some delicious spiced plums and orange juice. Needless to say, the day was off to a great start! We packed up, sorry to leave this amazing place where the sun was streaming in the sitting room windows and provided an amazing view. Oh, an added benefit: Fuzzy -- a great substitute for my departed Abbycat....!
We headed down the hill - where some deer and cows watched us leave -- on our way to California and the redwoods. We had sunny views of the coastline and the same sunlight filtering through the redwoods where we took an hour break and walked one of the trails. Leaving the park we entered elk meadows -- sure enough, there was a herd of elk just waiting to have their picturs taken. On to Arcata for a great lunch of soup and grilled vegetables and then to Eureka with some well preserved Victorian mansions constructed from the plentiful redwoods. We checked into our hotel in Blue Lake (an Indian casino north of Eureka with reasonable room rates) around 4pm -- which is why you are getting an update 2 days in a row!!! Don't expect this to continue.... :)
1/23-24: Eureka to Fort Bragg
Yep -- day 5 and still both alive and talking. Well... not talking a lot. We've both been so absorbed in an audio book that we missed a couple of exits. No big deal -- we're retired and have lots of time to turn around and go back!!!
We left Eureka Thursday morning -- another beautiful sunny day -- to head to the Loleta Cheese Factory (one of the missed exits...) Not quite what we expected -- no cheese making to watch. They only make it about every third day since they have to age the cheese in the vats before starting the next batch. Oh well -- there were lots of samples and we purchased a few packages to provide sustenance over the next few weeks. (Of course it won't last that long....!)
We left Eureka Thursday morning -- another beautiful sunny day -- to head to the Loleta Cheese Factory (one of the missed exits...) Not quite what we expected -- no cheese making to watch. They only make it about every third day since they have to age the cheese in the vats before starting the next batch. Oh well -- there were lots of samples and we purchased a few packages to provide sustenance over the next few weeks. (Of course it won't last that long....!)
On to the Avenue of the Giants -- think Van Duzer corridor with switchbacks. It was slow but well worth the couple of hours drive. Of course it would have been a little less if we hadn't picked up the stranded log truck driver who need a lift into Fort Bragg to get some parts to repair his trailer. I was a little nervous about picking up a stranger but it worked out fine and we got a great recommendation for dinner.
After checking into our room, we drove around a bit and then headed to the recommended brew pub where there was every kind of beer you could imagine (including several from Oregon) and the best pizza we could have found anywhere.
After checking into our room, we drove around a bit and then headed to the recommended brew pub where there was every kind of beer you could imagine (including several from Oregon) and the best pizza we could have found anywhere.
We woke to yet again another gorgeous morning. Breakfast was better than expected -- there were actually fresh pastries and fruit (as opposed to the individually wrapped kind that have been in the back room for who knows how long....). We headed out for Glass Beach just north of town. Yep, most of the shoreline was covered with glass -- but not broken beer bottles. The town used the beach as a garbage dump for years until it was closed in 1967. Over the next several decades, the pounding surf and rocks destroyed the garbage. Now the beach has sparkling glass in a variety of colors that have been smoothed by the ocean. The coastline is beautiful with roaring surf, sparkling beaches and even a fat sea lion enjoying the warm rocks.
From there we headed south to the Point Cabrillo light station. Again the views were amazing as we walked the 1/2 mile out to the point. We wandered over to a group pointing out to sea where we saw a few whales spout -- of course the binoculars were in the car!
We went back into town for the highlight of the weekend -- the Crab Feed at the local fire station. Not only was the crab good and never ending, we sat at a long tables inside the station talking to several locals and thoroughly enjoying the afternoon. Stuffed with crab we headed back to the hotel to relax and get ready to head to Windsor in the morning -- through Anderson Valley which just happens to have a few wineries along the way!!!
We went back into town for the highlight of the weekend -- the Crab Feed at the local fire station. Not only was the crab good and never ending, we sat at a long tables inside the station talking to several locals and thoroughly enjoying the afternoon. Stuffed with crab we headed back to the hotel to relax and get ready to head to Windsor in the morning -- through Anderson Valley which just happens to have a few wineries along the way!!!
01/25-28: Windsor
We headed out (yet another sunny day) for our next destination of Windsor. Taking a little detour down to Point Arena lighthouse afforded some more beautiful seaside vistas -- but this time from the top of the lighthouse -- after climbing the 150 stairs! Alright, enough of the coast and on to Wine Country!
The drive to Windsor over the hills was curvy and scenic with several wineries along the way. We stopped at Goldeneye winery where the host offered me a couple of tastings at no charge. Best wine I've ever had (should be at $82 a bottle). And no, I didn't buy a bottle. We did eat lunch there and I ordered a glass of one of the less expensive varieties to accompany a delicious cheese plate.
On to Windsor where we checked in to our first timeshare of the tour and a 4 day stay. The room was huge, the resort really nice and of course location was superb -- right in the middle of wine country. We've spent the last couple of days checking out wineries (and I've done a little tasting here and there!) and playing golf at Northwoods. We even stopped at Mom's Apple Pie shop -- on the side of the road close to nothing -- where I had the best rhubarb pie ever! Heaven... Today is our last day in Windsor so we're off to visit Peanuts (Charles Schultz museum) and then check out some more wineries. We might even stop back by Mom's Apple Pie shop to pick up another one for dessert!! (hey -- they're small and the first one lasted almost 3 days!)
A few more pictures from todays travels!
01/29: Windsor to Marina
Thursday was a golfing and driving day. We started early, heading south to Danville for our late morning tee time. We arrived in time to do a little putting despite several wrong turns and some slow traffic. We were paired up with Bob and Barbara -- all the way from North Carolina. The course was nice, our games were okay and we enjoyed the company.
On to San Jose where we stopped at one more tasting room (what can I say.... there were 2 empty spots in the wine box!). From there it was on to the Winchester Mystery Mansion. I know -- this sounds hokey and touristy (which it was) but it was also extremely interesting with some absolutely amazing woodwork and stained glass in some rooms (contrasting with other rooms that had torn wallpaper and bare studs for walls!). Our last stop was dinner at the Silicon Valley Club where we enjoyed a great meal and even better view of San Jose at night. We arrived in Marina about 10pm where we unloaded and crashed for the night in our quirky 2 bedroom unit. Opening the door felt like stepping back into the 1950's with period decor in the totally refurbished units! Thank goodness they opted for modern appliances and bathroom fixtures...
Southern California starting tomorrow!!!
Southern California starting tomorrow!!!