Rise and shine with the morning sun, or at least the promise of sun. The upside to a road trip is that you get to see so much more of a country than you might otherwise have seen from a train or a plane. The down side is that every few days, it’s time to pack it up, load it up and hit the road once more.
Category: Our Travels and Adventures
Rain, Rain Go Away!
When we made the decision to return to the Pacific Northwest for our Holiday Vacation, it was as a means to escape the heat of home. Mid July has historically seen temperatures well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. While Hubby insists we prefer a warm climate to call home, it seems to me we always pick a cool place to vacation. Kiddo and I adore fog, and mist and cold. But then again, we are tea drinkers. Misty mornings and a good cup of tea do wonders to quiet the human soul.
The Forgotten History of Fort Stevens
As many of you know, I grew up in California. Growing up in California when I did, the paranoia of the Japanese wasn’t such a distant past that it had been forgotten. The attack on Pearl Harbor was before my time, but not by much. Fourteen years in the conciseness of people isn’t very long. It’s been 18 years since the attacks that brought down the World Trade Center, and we still remember – some bitterly, some fearfully, most with sorrow. Growing up as I did where I did, there were remnants of the country’s fears dotted the coastal landscape. I had assumed these abandoned reminders were exclusive to the California Coast. Devils Slide and Muir Beach are the bunkers I am most familiar with, not far from San Francisco.
The Wreck of the Peter Iredale
Astoria offers two very different points of interest to the “modern” history buff. One is Fort Stevens, build during the American Civil War and attacked during World War II. The other, far more famous from a photographic perspective, is the Wreck of the Peter Iredale.
Do you know the way to Astoria?
Good Morning! Welcome to Day 4 of our Oregon-Washington adventure. It’s time to start making our way home – in a very slow, non-direct way. Our forth day had no particular agenda. It was a matter of driving from Castle Rock Washington to Seaside Oregon, with a stop-off in Astoria. Astoria is on the northern most point of the Oregon Coast. It is where Lewis and Clark reached the Pacific Ocean, having followed the Columbia River. Most people would have taken take the quickest route to the ocean along Highway 30, on the Oregon side. We took the meandering route, sticking to the Washington side of the river. It’s the road less traveled, and that suited us just fine.
Exploring Mount Saint Helen
Had we known when we caught a glimpse of Mount Saint Helen while driving through Portland that it was to be our only opportunity to see the full scope of the mountain, I might have taken pictures of that moment. Instead, we took pictures of the Portland skyline like a bunch of country bumpkins that had never laid eyes on a city before. I’m not 100% sure, but there may have even been a gasp or two. I think Portland took us by surprise because we weren’t expecting a skyline. In any case, we ignored the mountain.
Oregon-Washington Adventures Day 2
Our hearts were all a flutter with excitement for what lay ahead. Hubby and I had explored Crater Lake before, many moons ago. Our children were just teenagers, and Kiddo hadn’t even been imagined yet. This was his day – to walk around the crater of what was once the top of Mount Mazama. Mount Mazama is a Quaternary volcano, part of the Western Cascade Range. She blew her stack over 7,000 years ago. Oh, but I’m getting ahead of myself. There are many things to enjoy as we head north along the highway from Klamath Falls to Crater Lake National Park.
Oregon-Washington Adventures Day 1
Ever since Kiddo was a wee little Kiddo, he has always been fascinated with Earth Sciences, especially weather and volcanoes. When he was four, we spend time exploring the volcanoes of Hawaii. Every couple of years, we head to Yellowstone for the every changing thermal features of the park. While some people like to sit on a beach and sip Tropical Cocktails by the pitcher their entire vacation, we like to explore, to learn, to stimulate our minds. Don’t misunderstand me, we like to relax with a tall cocktail while on holiday. Learn a little, drink a little, talk a little. It’s all part of the vacation process for us. Every day should be a learning experience. Care to come along?
Knights Ferry Civil War Reenactment
Wow – just attended our first ever Civil War reenactment. What a hoot! We hiked up a hill, spread out a blanket and just watched. The Yanks came marching through the covered bridge. The Southerners opened fire with cannons and a charge, but in the end it was the North that took the hill. If you ever get the chance to see a reenactment, by all means do. The roar of the cannons shakes the ground. The smell of black powder fills the air. It’s amazing!
Give Thanks for Life is Good
Can we chat a moment? Rather than share a recipe from the past or cook something special for you today, I’d like to take a moment to share a few of my favorite photographs as we simply talk about life in cyber space and reality.
Heading Home from the Wilds of Wyoming – Day 8
We have reached the end of the road. Our time in the wilds of Wyoming is over, and this is the day we head home. The car is loaded with our carry-on bags and personal items (two lap tops and a camera backpack). We’ve made several passes through the various rooms, making sure that precious cords, batteries, chargers and other things have not been forgotten. Leave behind a pair of socks and it’s no big deal. Misplace the digital camera charger and it’s a real pain in the behind. It’s time to say good-bye to Joel and Krystal. It’s time to say good-bye to our temporary home at Rand Creek Ranch. By the end of the day, it will be time to say good-bye to Wyoming.
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One Last Drive Through Yellowstone – Day 7
As the first rays of light enter our cabin, I am seated at the dining room table, sipping my second cup of coffee. The coyotes had been howling last night, spooking the horses and pack mule in the corral. They moved about uneasily, their voices raised in frightened protest.
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Traveling Along a Giant Loop – Day 6
Today we are going to make a giant loop – skirting along Lamar Valley, then up to Roosevelt Lodge for breakfast before back-tracking to Tower Falls, and around the top to Mammoth Hot Springs. From there, we’ll make our way south to Norris Geyser Basin via Sheepeaters Cliff and Roaring Mountain. This last stretch of road is going to be slow-going.
Our Holiday Vacation to the Wilds of Wyoming – Day 5
Day 5 and it’s back into the park. As usual, traveling into the park from the East Gate and you are met with a minor morning traffic jam. Every day of our visit, the same bison bull seems to want to take a stroll down the highway. He causes quite the scene. This day is particularly cold, and the difference in air temperatures and the steam has created its own fog bank, especially around the lake. As we make our way to the Midway Geyser Basin, we keep an eye out for wildlife. We were lucky enough to spot an eagle perched in a dead pine tree. We watched the bird for a few minutes, until he flew away.
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Our Holiday Vacation to the Wilds of Wyoming – Day 4
Our fourth day in the park was spent concentrating on the various thermal features of the Upper, Lower and Mid Basins of the park. Naturally, no visit to Yellowstone would be complete without a few hours at Old Faithful. There is the famous geyser to explore, and the awesome Inn that is unlike any other resort in the park.
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