The morning after I went to Hearst Castle, since I went to sleep early the previous evening, around 10pm, I woke up at 5am. Weather was still pretty dismal, but at least the rain had let up somewhat. Got on the road by 5:30am, after a light breakfast and brewing a big pot of coffee to take along the trip. Figured I could get out of California near the end of one long day of driving so that was my plan. I was still mad about paying so much for a dry camping spot in a state park so wasn’t about to give them any more money if I could help it.
Heading up the coast on Highway 1 was an eventful trip, there were several road wash outs that I had to traverse with at least one of them looking like I should reconsider and turn back. I didn’t, and it worked out. But the road crews had been working at it early I guess, and most washout traverses were uneventful, if a little worrisome. The whole morning was twist-y turn-y driving up and down ocean side steep hills. But the views were spectacular, and the cloudy weather added a certain suspense to the trip. There were some homes along the way that were interesting, several had been converted into art galleries. This was the Big Sur I’d heard about. Interesting but really nothing more then some rich peoples homes and a few scattered classy businesses.
Around 1pm I found a place south of San Francisco to leave the coast and head east inland on nice roads without to many hills and soon found myself heading due north on the I-5 freeway. This portion of the drive is pretty boring, nothing but farmland and a few small to large towns to pass through. Since I have a 90 gallon diesel tank, I can go up to 900 miles without fueling and sometimes that really helps the fuel budget, since I can put off purchasing fuel in small towns with high prices. And on this stretch of freeway I was able to find a minor price war and got the 55 gallons I needed for a full tank at a decent price. Enough fuel to get me into Oregon. The prices here were nearly $0.80 per gallon cheaper then along the coast.
Late in the day I crossed the border into Oregon and maybe 15 miles later stopped at a little town in the Coast Mountains where the signs extolled the virtues of two different RV parks. Remember the storm I told you about? It had roared though here that morning and dumped inches of rain on the area. I had to cross a foot deep creek to get into the park. I was a little worried and just parked there looking at the creek, over it’s banks, spilling across the access road, for at least 5 minutes before I decided it was unlikely for that little flood to sweep a 22,000 pound RV off the road.
The next morning I still have the entire width of Oregon to cross so I get an early start. But not 5am, more like 8am.
Back on the road.
Wow, still stormy. And check out the snow.
And a little more snow in the mountains...this is mid-April.
Some bump in Oregon, I think.
Tried to get a shot of a valley off in the distance.
There was a huge lake, hard to get good pictures when you're driving.
More clouds! More rain! Getting sick of this weather.
Last of the mountains, just flat valley from here on.
I was lucky enough to have gotten to several Shakespearean plays here in Ashland a few years ago. A friend had her son going to college here and we were able to score free tickets to several plays. Extraordinary.
Finally arrive at Jackie and Jeff's place. That's the new baby.
What a cutie!
Jackie looks healthy and happy...
A natural at being a mom.
Swinging Matty.
See, they trust me to not drop her.
Took me another long day to get to Portland so I was worn out. Went to bed early and slept in late. Then the next day headed to Troutdale to see Theresa.