2018 November OR to Southern CA

 Oregon to Souther California

 

 

Sooner or later, something is bound to happen – blew the transmission! Amazing that after all of the heavy grades we pulled that a short heavy grade did us in. Maybe I did not check levels or temperatures enough, a few times the transmission temp got over 200 with the highest at 240 but what I am aware of this only affects the frequency of changing the fluid, ah well things happen.

Fortunately, we were in Astoria, OR and having left brother Bob’s home near Portland it could not happen at a better place. So instead of living in a hotel for 2 weeks to get transmission rebuilt we were lucky enough to have brother Bob’s hospitality for a while longer.

Occasional fishing trips, helping around the ranch, even went to the theater with Bob and Bunny! The two weeks went fairly fast, Mary and I both had a head cold to beat all head colds during this period as well. It could not have been in a better place!

So, after 2 weeks the Rialta is ready to go again, and we set off to resume our trip. Having made travel adjustments, we are skipping Olympic National Forest this time. We head south to stop in and see Mom and Bob’s fishing partner Patton then get on the Redwood Road at Grants Pass Oregon.

Camping inside a Redwood Forest is much different than we have ever done. It was DARK! The trees are so tall it blocks sunlight more than I have ever experienced before. Cool and damp it did not set too well with me.

 

 

These trees are so amazing, huge 250’ high 20-50 feet wide just awesome. After considerable miles seeing all these amazing trees it begins to be just a bit normal…. Many “Groves” we dedicated to different people, some had walking paths, we took one and it was very interesting to walk along the giant trees, we took some great pictures of us next to some of these trees and their roots.

Seaside there was a lighthouse on an island where only during low tide could you walk across to access the island. Standing near the sand to cross over we both were taking pictures and a wave came in and caught Mary! Soaking her shoes and up to her knees, she was not happy.

 

Time to move inland and visit sister Jean near Sacramento! The road inland was not too difficult, we left Eureka and cut across to I5. Ter where it joined was a billboard for a restaurant with RV parking, staying the night there we had breakfast in the restaurant to pay our dues so to speak.

Visiting Jean and catching up with family is always good. I had not seen Jena and family (Jeans daughter) since 2005 when Nita and I had traveled west in the RV. At that time Jenas oldest daughter Alaura had ridden with us to Las Vegas where Jean picked her up. We stopped in Yosemite National Park along the way, it was great reminiscing with her about how that trip was very special for the both of us.

Friday night we all got together at Jeans house to see everyone. So many voices going at the same time made it a little hard for me to hear any one person, Bob looked over at me and said “this is why we moved back here” I felt very happy for both Bob and Jean to be able to spend time with their grandkids.

Bob, Jean, Mary and I toured San Francisco on Saturday, driving down Lombardo Road the twisty winding street on a steep hillside, visiting Chinatown, Fisherman’s Warf, Presidio, Golden Gate Bridge. So much the greater to do this with family.

 

 

 

 

Leaving Jeans on Sunday we head back to the coast to resume our trip. Monterey has its own Fisherman’s Warf where I had visited in 2005. Great to be back with a different member of my family – Mary. Found a great fleece jacket with hard shell on the other side for both me and Tanya at a great price.

Tour of Winchester Mystery House. WOW an architect would go nuts here!

Continuing down the California coast and passed the Military Foreign Language school where Tanya interviewed for a job.

 

The coastal road on this stretch has a sign that says windy road next 63 miles, yes, it is very accurate, I remembered that in 2005 Nita had lain down on the floor of the RV because the road rails were not very high and sometimes not there over a cliff along the road. Beautiful scenery of the coastline with rocky beaches and the waves crashing on them, occasional beaches and once there were Elephant Sea Lions laying on the beach soaking up the sun.

 

Arriving at Mary’s home in Southern California Mary is torn between ending the trip and being home. Both Larry and Mary were both happy and sad to be back together again and the end of an adventure. She had a great time and saw so many places and people she has an adventure with her brother that she will never forget.

I also have had a great time sharing these places and people with Mary. It had never occurred to me that one of my siblings would spend this much time with me and be such a great travel companion! It has also learned how much more enjoyable traveling is when you have someone to share it with. You do not have to be married and your spouse along, there are many interesting people in the world to share experiences with.