Seattle, Olympic National Park and the Washington Coast

From the Seattle area we took the Ferry across Puget Sound to Port Townsend then drove past Port Angeles to the Olympic National Park.  We camped at the Altair Campground which is on the Elwha River.  Spent a lot of time hiking around the river bank and then up into the forrest.  On most trails dogs are not allowed because of big cats and bears in the area so our choice of hiking trails was very limited. The Ranger told me that no fishing was allowed on the river.  She said that the river was over fished and they were trying to build up the population.

After spending the night we headed down Highway 101 and on to other things.  That Olympic NP is really beautiful and we are lucky to have it.  Outside the park you see large sections of the forrest that has been logged.  It kind of reminds me of a patchwork quilt.  They have replanted some of the areas so you see different size trees.  Next we explored the Washington coastline.  Almost of the beaches have what I would call tree bones, uprooted trees that have been bleached white.  The weather was cool at around 72 to 75 degrees during the day and the low 50's at night, it was great.  Now it's back to Portland for the weekend and then next week we will head back down to the Oregon beaches on our way south.

A Day In Portland

Ambrosi (my step daughter) and I went out west of Portland to visit the David Hill Winery.  Beautiful place it is for sure set in rolling hills, kind of looks like the wine regions of France.  We did the wine tasting thing and bought a bottle of Estate Riesling.  We spent some time with a glass of wine just enjoying the place.  Nice little play on words!

We also visited the Portland Rose Garden which was incredible.  The place is almost 100 years old so the roses quite unique.  I really like the miniature roses as they are my favorite.  Lots of people around and also a couple of weddings, on being an Ethiopian wedding.  I took some pictures with my Iphone but can't seem to get them emailed so I can't post them.  I'll figure it out someday.  Now it's on the the Seattle area and then to the coast.

Umqaua River Camp

Shadow said it was time to take a break from traveling up I-5 so we took an exit somewhere in Southern Oregon as it was getting close to late afternoon.  We drove down a road fairly close to the highway and found a steep dirt road down to the Umqaua River.  It turned out to be a rock bar vs a sand bar.  About six other camps were set up for a long term stay.  We staked our claim to a spot and set up for the night.  Turns out everyone there was looking to make some money sluicing for gold. It seems that California was shut down last year and this is the last year that sluicing will be aloud in any Oregon river.  Really nice people we talked to mostly from Oregon but one crew came from Utah.  It was interesting see the rigs they were using to suck up the bottom gravel looking for those evasive gold trailings.

We spent the night at Sims campground on National Forrest land along the upper Sacramento River.  It was nice and cool with just a couple of other campers who were there for the fishing.  The river is very wide but only 2 to 3 feet deep in most places.  The fishermen were doing the fly fishing thing for trout.  The place is named for an old sawmill built well over a hundred years ago.  Back in the 1930's it was a CCC camp.  They built the Sims Bridge over the Sacramento River to access the eastern side of the river to fight forrest fires.

Heading Up I-5 To Sacramento

Going through the central farming areas of California is always interesting.  All the different crops is something to see.  A lot of signs complaining about water restriction to farms at has reduced the amount of water they can use.  I saw lots of fields not being used and many orchards that had died.
We stopped for gas and came across a Telsa charging station for electric cars, the first I've ever seen.  In the time we were there two cars finished their charge and took off in a short amount of time.

Across the road from the gas station and charging station was an old Japanese man selling bonzai trees of all sorts.  He has his spot and it looked like he has been there for along time.  The bonzai  he created were just beautiful, a work of art.  I would have loved to have bought one or two but being on the road for a few more weeks wouldn't work.

Tucson To Sacramento

We made it all the way from Tucson to the top of Tejon pass.  Los Angles on I-10 wasn't as bad as I thought it would be probably because it was a Sunday.   We spent the night in cool weather just outside  of the rest area and did it ever feel good.  We were near all the semi trucks that were parked for the night.  The truck noise wasn't bad at all thanks to earplugs.  In the morning it was a parade of trucks leaving the rest area and each and everyone of the drivers waved at us, it was a kick.

The 50' pole is mounted and my surfboard is set to go.  Can't wait to hit the beaches in the Pacific Northwest.  It's going to be a little bit cold in the water but that's what wetsuits are for.

All loaded up and ready to hit the road early Sunday morning.  A 130 watt solar cell has been mounted to the roof and an additional battery has also been added to the camper, that makes two batteries just for the camper.  Tuesday fourwheelcampers will be pulling out the old 3 way refrigerator (propane, 12vdc or 120vac) to the new efficient 12v design available now.  The truck is a 2002 Tacoma 4X4 and the camper was bought at the same time.  With over 180,000 miles of rough miles on them both they serve me and Shadow well.  Surfing, surfing photography and the ocean in general is what you will see on this blog.

In The Beginning

Shadow, the little back thing and I will be hitting the road in a few days.  First we are heading to Sacramento where www.fourwheelcampers.com will be changing out the refrigerator, an old three way type to the new efficient 12 volt design.  After that who knows where we will head.