A Few Pounds Heavier

To our camping neighbors: It is common camping courtesy to be quiet. Especially during quiet hours. If your family doesn't like spending time together, camping might not be the best vacation choice. 

We landed in a tiny Northern California town for the fourth. Eureka. An interesting place. No need to revisit. They had a festival in the old town. We went and conquered it in about an hour. It was a flashback to Nibroc and Old Fashioned Days. We did have yummy pulled pork and mac and cheese though! 

This had us back to our campsite by 1:00. Fireworks aren't until 10:00. For the first time since leaving we had nothing to do and we didn't  know how to respond! We just stared at each other for a bit. We had spent the morning planning the rest of the trip. We tried to go see a movie but it started at 12:30. So.....

We sat by the pool for a bit. It's cold in nor cal so we did this in jeans and a light sweater. We played on the playground and did a bit of swinging. We played mini golf. We played what seemed like 100 games of Uno. We ate some dinner. We still had hours until dark. 

Insert Nick and Julie. They were our camping neighbors. They brought some entertainment into the afternoon. (Just to clarify, they are not the camping neighbors referenced above. Those guys left with what was apparently a pretty dramatic exit). We were greatly entertained by this sister brother duo. Mainly the brother really. Nick's the kind of guy that knows how to have a good time. He kept us laughing and passed the time with his jokes and remarks...which might have been at times inappropriate! Too bad we missed the hay ride with him. (Nick, did I paint you in your best light?)

Eureka did redeem itself some with a great view pre-firework and a great fireworks show. 

Our time in California came to an end with time spent with the redwoods. I can't describe the size of these trees. It's incredible. They can live to be over 2,000 years old and are the tallest living things on the planet. They are spectacular and when you are hiking through them you disappear. We had a foggy mist with us during our hike which gave an almost eerie calm to the forest. It also gave it a Twlight feel and we were waiting for Edward and Jacob to whisk us off into the depths of the forest floor. 

As we drove through Northern California we came upon several elk crossing signs. We did not expect to find a herd of elk when we came around the bend. Just hanging out. Posing for the cameras. 

We took off for Oregon next. However, we got completely sidetracked by a random roadside attraction. The Trees of Mystery. Not only can you take a skytram to the top of the redwoods, you can get your photo with a larger than necessary Paul Bunyon and Babe. (Like I said...if you build it, they will come. The place was packed). We also managed to get off course by a covered bridge and a Conestoga wagon. 

Oregon greets you with lots of trees, a law that you can't pump your own gas, and no sales tax. It's a really great state! 

We arrive in Portland with a list of things to do that mainly involved eating. Portland is a foodies paradise!! 

Food Stop #1: Pine State Biscuts

       Oh man. This was delish! We both ordered 'The Reggie'. A biscut sandwich with buttermilk fried chicken, bacon, cheese, and gravy. I ordered it deluxe and added a fried egg. We cleaned our plates. So many other things on the menu and the plates around us looked equally as good. Two thumbs up. 

Food Stop #2: Food Cart...PBJ's Grilled

       Portland is the place to be if you want food truck food. The city is home to hundreds of food carts and the are situated on corners in little pods. It's fabulous and genius. We were not hungry but we powered through anyway. It was that good. Mindi ordered 'The Joy'. Challah bread, almond butter, coconut filling, chocolate ganache. Perfection. I ordered 'Cream of the Crop'. Challah bread, peanut butter, bananas, cream cheese, strawberry jam. Perfection. 

Food Stop #3:  Voodoo Doughnuts

       I feel that only Portland could make a doughnut be inappropriate!  Not all were, but one glance at a menu and you'll understand! Google it. We went with the Bacon Maple Bar, Voodoo Doll, plain glazed, and chocolate glazed. We got these to go and are slowing eating them! They are good though! 

We are leaving Portland a few pounds heavier. 

There are also other things to do in Portland besides eat. (Although the eating is fabulous!!) 

It's home to Powell's Books. This is the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world. I was beyond excited about this place! I could spend days in a bookstore. Imagining one that is an entire city block and several stories high had me giddy!! When we get there I'm given a map. They have a map of the store. It's that big. I'm happy to report that I only spent 1.5 hours here and purchased only three books. Mindi also found a book. We have new read aloud choices! 

It's home to the International Rose Test Garden. This place was beautiful. We hit it while the roses were  in peak bloom and there are hundreds and hundreds of rose bushes. 

We did some window shopping in the Pearl District. We rode the sky tram. (Yes. We ride a lot of sky trams). We admired the many bridges that call Portland home. We had great views of Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens in the distance. 

We were told Portland is interesting. Portland is weird. This might be true but we liked it. It's earthy and artsy. 

We owe a big thanks to The Wilson's for letting us stay with them!! Becca, it was good seeing you again. Brian, it was nice meeting you. Caleb and Abi, it was fun playing with you!!

Love at First Sight

A quick stop in Sacramento led us to Sarah! Breakfast on an old dinner cruise boat seemed fitting since the last time we were together was on a cruise ship in Alaska. It was fun to catch up and see a bit of California's capital city. 

We then headed to Reno. Reno wasn't really ever on the list of places to visit. However, Becca got wind of a Patagonia outlet there and sent us on a mission. She ended up with a dress for a practical steal and Mindi bought a super cute jacket. Reno itself was nothing to write about. 

Next we found ourselves in Lake Tahoe. 

My Dearest Tahoe,

   We were smitten at first sight. Why you ask? It was a number of things really. Let's start with your beauty. You are radiant from every angle. Every twist and turn brings about a mountain with snow covered peaks or a lake sparkling from the sun. Your lake (the main one, because you have several) stretches as far as the eye can see. If one didn't know better they would think they were at the ocean. The mountains surrounding you make for a beautiful backdrop. We quickly found ourselves on your shore, curled up in the shade of a majestic pine taking a nap. Emerald Bay. That in itself is a cause for love. Beautiful seems like such a simple word. We explored this part of you by kayak and were wrapped in your mountains and clear sparkling water. Hiking within your mighty forest brings one to a hidden oasis. Like finding the last piece of untouched earth. So yes, Tahoe, you have captured our heart and soul. We have started a love affair with you that we hope to continue for years. 

Love, 

Mindy and Mindi

  

We really, really loved Tahoe. It has found itself at the top of favorite places so far list by a landslide. I've been super excited about the idea of kayaking here. Mindi has been super not excited. She had a bad kayaking experience once and therefore had a mental block against it. I'm happy to report that the kayak in the beautiful Emerald Bay changed her mindset. (She did somehow manage to cut her leg, though). We kayaked out to Fannette Island and then hiked to the top for a stellar view. 

There are so many hikes around. We chose one that ended at a general store with 'famous' lemonade. The lemonade was delicious. However, the lake we found at the end was worth every huff and puff of the uphill hike. A small bit of paradise. Untouched and natural. 

Having grown up on Laurel Lake, I expect my lake to be clean. Laurel is beautiful and unlittered. Tahoe is like the Caribbean. It's so clear that in some places you can see 67 feet down. And it's not lake blue. It's better. 

Tahoe is also home to these larger than life pine cones!!

We've camped nearly every night. No wildlife encounters. But in Tahoe, there was sniffing outside and rustling of the tent. I have zero recollection of this. I am a very sound sleeper. Mindi is a very light sleeper and was apparently terrified. She didn't wake me in fear of inviting the critter in. I apparently asked her of we should sleep in the car. (Maybe somewhere in my subconscience I knew he was out there). We did some investigating in the morning and the visitor had hooves, not paws. #notabear

After Tahoe we headed back across the state. Back to the coast. Pinterest had us needing to see Glass Beach. It looked fabulous. This is what we found out about the place online. 

     From 1906 to 1967, everything from   cars to batteries to bottles, cans and appliances were unceremoniously pushed over the cliffs into the ocean — a common practice of seaside cities for centuries. Mother Nature responded to this abuse with a nice surprise in the form of smooth, colored sea glass treasure in a rainbow of colors.

What we found in real life wasn't exactly what Pinterest had made it out to be. But it was still interesting and we like the story of how it came to be. I love anything trash to treasure!

To get to our next stop we ended up back on Highway 1. This is a great drive if you're by the coast. Once you head into the forest it becomes a nauseating nightmare. 30 miles worth. But we came out on the other end and were greeted by this. 

Drive through a tree? Don't mind if we do. 

Pauley sucked it in and through we went! Best $5 spent so far!!

Here's the thing we've learned about these random roadside attractions. If you build it, they will come. 

We are now in true Northern California. Big tree country. Home to the mighty redwoods. We drove Avenue of Giants today. We are truly minute in comparison.

 

We also finished the read aloud. It was predictably sad and tears were shed. Proof one is never too old to be read to.