2016-07-27: Coast
The coast, with it's sandy beaches, monoliths and sea stacks makes me wish we could stop and smell the flowers but alas, no time for that this trip.
2016-07-27: View
Our first night in California was spent in the small town of Smith River. Although this campground does not get many stars, this view we had out our front window made up for it.
2016-07-27: Sunset
A wonderful sunset over the water.
2016-07-28: Del Norte Redwoods
Continuing south on Highway 101 we wound our way through Del Norte Redwoods.
2016-07-28: Fog
Much of our journey this morning was through fog which did not make for a relaxing trip.
2016-07-28: Redwoods
Home for the next two nights is a great campground right on the Avenue of the Giants in Redcrest. Today was our first taste of HOT weather which meant on went the AC! Once it cooled down a bit, we decided to take a ride down the Avenue of the Giants and be awed by these majestic giants.
2016-07-29: Berries
We totally missed the blackberries in Washington and Oregon so we were glad to be able to pick a few here in our campground. YUM
2016-07-29: Scotia
We took a short drive to Scotia, which is one of the few company towns left in America. It was established by a large lumber company to provide for the social, commercial and housing needs of the employees. As we drove through town we got to see some of the picturesque cottages that were built 1920 and 1950. We ate lunch at the Scotia Inn, a stately 1923 clapboard hotel.
2016-07-29: Log Truck
I couldn't resist climbing up on the running board of the Hollow Log Truck to have my photo taken!
2016-07-30: Vineyards
Our campground for the night is right on the border of the Alexander Valley and the Russian River Valley of the Sonoma County Wine Road. It's always fun to see all the different vineyards and wineries. Today we discovered the difference between estate and a single vineyard winery. An estate bottled wine is made entirely from grapes owned by the winery but possibly grown on different plots of land and the wine is made entirely on the winery's property. A single vineyard winery produces a wine from grapes grown in that vineyard only.
2016-07-30: Grapes
It was fun to see the grapes at this time of year. We got to see fruit that was green, pale red and deep purple. Usually when we come through in October the fruit is either already picked or ready to be picked.
2016-07-31: Birthday Dinner
It's always fun to spend time with Deb and Manny when we're in Morgan Hill. Deb even made a wonderful birthday dinner for me!
2016-07-31: Family
We so rarely think to take family pictures but I remembered this time.
2016-08-02: Tehachapi
We broke up our trip home by stopping in Tehachapi for the night. The campground is right at the glider port but unfortunately they don't fly on Tuesdays. Perhaps there will be some early birds in the morning before we head for home.
2016-08-02: Sunset
One last sunset to put the finishing touch on our trip. This one is over the hills instead of the water.