Home Again ... Home Again !!

Bright and early, we said our goodbyes with hugs.  Knowing that I will see Patty in November and we will meet up again in Indio and Quartzite made it a little easier.  With a big storm coming in possibly bringing snow over the mountains, Dan and Patty needed to hit the road ... and fast!!  Once I was past the obstacle course of an exit from the fairgrounds, I turned south down I-5.  With the cruise control on and not too much traffic, I recounted the places we had been as I skirted the rain.

Along the way, harvesters were working overtime trying to beat the wet weather.  The corn above was being chopped for cattle feed ... the rice below probably ending up overseas.  I have to admit there were some beautiful scenes as I cruised along.  It reminded me how much food the central valley produces, and even though I don't particularly like living here, it does have it's moments!!

In Stockton I actually headed into blue skies.

And of course ... California highway construction.  This section in Stockton has been torn up for almost two years.  Because of the narrow lanes and concrete blocks, I stay in the middle lane.  I figure if anyone has the guts to pass me on the left, can have at it!!!  It's also has less bumps and holes!!!

Finally I pulled into the driveway around noon.  The dogs were ecstatic .. jumping on the couch and chairs, running around in the back yard like crazy!!  That made coming home a little easier to take until I went into shock about the state of the yard!!   My friends who kept telling me the grass was dead, turned up the sprinklers so much that weeds cover every inch of flowerbeds and are two feet high.  Oh my .... that sure put a damper on my day!  As of now, I have unloaded six loads from the RV (mostly the fridge) and filled one whole container of weeds.  Time to call a gardner!!!

I also discovered my mail is in la-la land.  According to the post office website, once your forwarding order has expired, mail will be delivered to your house again.  The order expired 8/23 ... but I have no mail in my mailbox.   No telling where it has gone for the last month.  

Now comes the hard part ... unloading all the "stuff" from the rig.  Pretty sure this will take a day or two!!  Good news though ... my pickup truck started right up after being parked for 5 months.  YAY!!!

Play time is over ... back to work unloading!!  I'm definitely NOT buying so much stuff any more!!!

Last Night of an Epic Journey!!

 From these beautiful seaside views .....

 To this scene of four-lane traffic, we traveled from Eureka to Colusa today.  Another gorgeous sunny day in paradise with the threat of rain around the corner.

We passed through the quaint town of Willits ... home of the Willits to Eureka Train ride I took many years ago.  At that time, it took all day because the tracks were in such disrepair and the last car kept jumping the track.  I stayed at a bed and breakfast in Eureka, and returned the following day in pouring rain.  It took so long, that 5 miles out of Willits, the train stopped.  The Engineer had put in his 8 hours and wasn't allowed to run the train into town.  Two hours later, he got a special dispensation that allowed him to continue the remaining 5 miles to the station.  Apparently it was one of the last runs the train made before going out of business.

We left Hwy 101 and took 20 East around Clear Lake.  The road is sometimes narrow, many times rough and has curves that require 25-35mph speeds.  The trees have started to turn colors, making it a very nice drive.  I do have to admit I'd much rather go 55 mph on a straight road than a curvy one!!!

Arriving in Colusa, we stopped at the County Fairgrounds looking for a place to spend the night, to find them closed for the weekend.  Thankfully, someone in the building located a maintenance man, who directed us to a place to park.

For $20 we have a 50 amp hookup with water.  It's very quiet, except for the quilt show going on in the building next door!!!  Actually, they are setting up for a wedding, but you should have heard Dan when we said quilt!!!  Last night it rained for a couple of hours and today a downpour is expected with possible snow in the mountains.  Time for an early departure!!!

All good things must come to an end ... and unfortunately, that time has come for this epic journey of mine to Alaska.  Dan told me I would experience every kind of driving possible and would be an expert by the end of this trip.  I'm not sure about that, but it has been an experience of a lifetime that I would do again at the drop of a hat.   Thanks to these two great people, I now have the confidence to drive almost anywhere.  This morning I make the final leg home.  I'm sad to be leaving my friends who have become family and I'll probably starve since I won't have my personal chef.  The good news is that Patty and I will travel to Costa Rica in a month or so and of course we'll get together again in Indio and Quartzite.

Travel on friends!!!

We're Not In Oregon Any More Aunt Em!!

As a native Californian, I know how those border crossings are, so I cooked all the brussel sprouts and ate all the fruits and vegetables I had for breakfast!!  I wasn't about to hand them over at the Ag Inspection Station.  That done, we packed up and left The Mills Casino RV Park.

It was a lovely sunny Coos Bay morning as we drove South, passing through Bandon.  It seems the closer we get to home, the faster we go!!  After five months I think we are all eager to get started on our  to-do lists at home!!

Many years ago, Patty and Dan along with my then-husband and myself, took a short drive to Sturgis.  I think it was about a 2,000 mile journey.  At the California border, the guys decided to ride the motorcycles along Hwy 101.  Upon arrival in town, they were denied access at the Inn.  If you saw them, you wouldn't be the least bit surprised!!  At that time, Harley riders weren't thought of highly.  When Patty and I came along (in the car), we got the room with no problem.  It has always been a big joke between us ... and it was fun pointing out the hotel as we drove by!!!

Despite the beautiful sunny start, the fog began rolling in the further south we went.  At times, I couldn't even see the big motorhome in front of me!!  That's not such a good thing ... I can get lost in an RV park!!!   It was a beautiful drive, just rolling along between the redwoods and the rocky coast.

Just in case you weren't sure which direction the ocean was, these nice people painted directions on the street ... probably so the tourists would quit knocking on their doors ... lost!!!  

There were quite a few bridges being repaired and roadways sloughing off the side of the cliffs.  Just so you know, I DID make this light ... kind of ... okay, I ran the red!!  I just didn't want to sit for 15 minutes waiting for the next green.

As we passed through Gold Beach there was talk of the Jet Boat Ride upriver, but we've got blinders on and just kept trucking!!

At Pelican State Beach, we crossed into California as I rehearsed my speech over and over.  I've just been camping in Oregon.  I've just been camping in Oregon.  I was even trying to swat the fruit fly that was buzzing around my windshield.  Wait for it .............. they were closed!!!  That's a first ... I breathed a big sigh of relief and relaxed for the rest of the drive!!  The reason???  I have a few pieces of shells and driftwood stashed under the bed, well lots of driftwood really.  I figure after being in saltwater for who knows how long, all the bugs are dead, and it may be perfectly okay to bring them home ... least I hope so!!  

Through Crescent City and on to Eureka, we are definitely in California ... lots of traffic, screwy one way streets,  noise and speeding drivers.  Dan drove right to the Shoreline RV Park where we have 30 amp full hook-ups, pull through sites for $35 with a Good Sam discount.  

You can't miss the park, it's located directly next door to one of the biggest Harley stores I've seen.

As usual, after a hard day's drive, Dan is starving (I packed a lunch this time) so we headed off to check out the park-recommended Chinese restaurant.  Dan made a right hand turn and heard QUILT STORE!!!  He tried to pretend he couldn't hear and made a really quick left turn, almost throwing me out of the back seat, and roared off!!!  In the end however, he was outnumbered!!  Even though he pretended he didn't remember where it was, we found another amazing store full of beautiful fabrics.  Unfortunately for us, this one didn't have Guns and Ammo magazine.  The owner said she could pull some strings and get a spot at the local Cigar/Brandy store for him, but we acquiesced, staying only 10 minutes.  This store is definitely worth a return trip!!!

Although this is a very nice park, it is rather noisy at night, being right next to the freeway.  After a fitful sleep, today we head to Clear Lake.  It will be our last vacation day together as we split up ... Patty and Dan heading across towards Nevada and me driving down I-5 to home.  I've got mixed emotions ... I know my puppies will be thrilled to see their big back yard, but I'm really loving this lifestyle and don't want it to end!!

A Day On The Wild Side !!!

WARNING!    WARNING!!   WARNING!!!   Lots of pictures of beautiful babies follow!!!  You probably know that Patty, Dan and I are all about the cats ... no matter what kind!!  Since the West Coast Game park is just south of us in Bandon Oregon, it was a mandatory stop upon arrival in Coos Bay.  This is a Caracal (Kara-Call) or desert lynx from Africa.  He's about 5 months old and the most beautiful "kitty" I've ever seen.  To make it even better, we got to pet and play with him for about 30 minutes while the baby tiger ate his lunch.  He's actually tuned in to a peacock in this image.

For a measly $14.50 we obtained entrance to this walk through safari/petting zoo.  It happened that on this day they have ALL the babies available for personal interaction and pictures, five to be exact.

Watch where you step ... there are lots of little bombs around the premises from the pigmy goats, deer and llamas.  For 50 cents you can pick up an ice cream cone full of goodies to feed them.

This is baby Bonnie ... a black bear cub getting a treat of evaporated milk and water.  

She was a sweetie, but as you can tell, I wasn't quite as brave as I am later on with Bob.  Her playmate is another black bear, brown in color, who name is .... you guessed it, Clyde!!

There were two ferrets, cute as buttons, along with a white skunk.  Course the skunk didn't get quite the action the two ferrets did!!!

We learned that ferrets don't have a backbone ... but cartilage, allowing them to roll up into a small ball, as well as get through small cracks to tear up your cupboards and dressers!!

First time ever I've seen a lion play with the toys provided for their entertainment.  Although the cages aren't the biggest ever, the animals appear very healthy and well kept.  This is a breeding facility that produces babies for other facilities and zoos.

She's got her eyes on one of about 40 goats and deer that roam the property.

Kitty love!!!  This pair of lynx were mutually grooming each other.  Notice the white spot on the lower female's ear?  All of the cats here have that white spot that I never noticed before.  The keepers said it helps protect them in the wild ... whoever may be sneaking up on them from behind, will see these white spots and think it is the animals eyes, thus scaring them off.  

Whispering sweet nothings in his ear ......

This is Todd ... the baby fox.  Handled by a dog trainer with a big degree, he knows several tricks and is very well behaved.  I wish he would have a talk with Cooper!!  Soft and smooth as silk ... he was a sweetheart.

All of the big guys outside were sleeping in the sun.  Dinner time comes after 5:00pm when all visitors have left.  These two are working up their appetites for steak, ground turkey and beef, along with some special dog food and vitamins.  

This is Harley, just hanging out.  His bride, a black leopard, is pregnant and VERY cranky!!  These are the guys that drag their kill to the top of the trees for dining privacy.  

And here's one special kitty ... Bob the Bobcat!!!  Also a baby, he loves to play and interact with people.  He's about the size of my Jack Russell Jessie Belle.

He was raised at home by one of the employees here, along with the Caracal, who became his best friend.  

Bob and Dan .....

Bob and Patty .....

Bob and ME!!!  He's like a big kitty ... crawled on to my lap and snuggled while I scratched his back.  I can easily see why people want to keep them as pets, but please don't.  They really are wild animals.

Bob and his "mom"/handler!!  About twelve pounds here, he will grow to 30+.  Achieving adulthood in about 18 months, he has a new cradle robber ... I mean bride ... waiting in the wings.

This 3 month old bengal tiger was as big as a large dog.  He was all about playing ... although we were allowed in to pet and play with him, the handler kept him moving, so our interaction was minimal.  Most of the images came out blurry ... he's VERY fast!!  

At last he laid down for all of 15 seconds!  Those paws are as large as my hands!!  By the time he's 5 months old, he won't be allowed out with the public.  Even at this young age, you can see the "animal" in him

Mostly he practiced his attack mode ... leaping and grabbing with his claws.  With baby teeth and a full belly, he wasn't doing much damage.  

THIS is the elegant Caracal ... he does have a name, but it's not Bob or Tom ... it was something I couldn't pronounce.  Talk about a gorgeous animal.  About the same size as Bob, he looks like your everyday house cat.  With long legs, big paws and ears that can pick up the slightest sound, this guy is made for hunting.

If not on a leash, he would have cleaned up on the peacock just to the right.  

Well there's no way to top that beauty, except maybe for Patty to find the fabric she has been looking for at Forget-Me-Knots Quilt Store in Bandon.  This store has the right idea ... two chairs and a table full of Guns and Ammo magazines!! 

We headed back to Coos Bay to celebrate National Cheeseburger Day at Wendys   ....  you didn't know???  It's never too late to celebrate!!  Of course Dan was the only one that actually got a cheeseburger, but no matter ... everyone celebrates in their own way!!!

This morning we are off for California.  I'm eager to get home with all the goodies I purchased, but sad to see the trip coming to an end.  Time to start planning my next jaunt to Southern California and Arizona.