Departure Day, Thursday, May 14
The van was ready, I was sure, and all I had to do was finish gathering clean clothes and writing a few bills before lunch at Sonia’s. Boy how time implodes! The last straw was not being able to find the keys for the Saab which was parked behind the Roadtrek in the driveway. No keys-no go anywhere. They were finally found in a logical place…on the counter of the Van.
Lunch at Sonia’s is always a treat. The “starters” were great and then we had five star quality Tomato Bisque soup and a lovely salad. The desert, I think from Australia was called Pavlova. It is a crisp meringue with fresh black berries and our wonderful local strawberries with custard and whipped cream. Thanks, Sonia!
Day 1 – Lompoc to Harris Ranch - 154 miles
How to get from the Coast to Interstate 5 is always a topic of discussion. Everyone has their favorite way. Should I try Pacheco Pass, Hwy 46 or Hwy 41?
Highway 41 is a delightful ride through the coastal hills and thou it isn’t any faster than going up to Paso Robles and taking Hwy 46, it was my choice. The hills were golden in the evening light. As is often the case I had no idea where I would stop for the night. I just wanted to get out of town. A Great Idea hit. What about Harris Ranch? This was often a destination for Karen and me with the 99’s (women pilots). We would fly over to Harris Ranch for a great lunch and take some of their wonderful beef home with us. Sure enough there were a number of RV’s parked around the parking lot. Others must have had the same idea. I’m not sure it is condoned by the Ranch since the do have a lovely Inn as well as a great restaurant and gift shop. The food was great and I got a good night sleep.
Friday, May 15
Day 2 – Harris Ranch to Shasta Lake 353 miles
I wish there was something good to tell you about this route. It was so boring that I had to take two naps. I did stop the Van to nap. I will try harder the next time I come north to leave in enough time to take the Coast Route, Hwy 101 if not Hwy 1.
The Mountain Gate RV Park at Shasta Lake was clean and well maintained and the folks were very pleasant though it was too close to the highway to suit me.
Saturday, May 16
Day 3 – Shasta Lake to Gunnel and Phil’s home in Portland - 417 miles
The drive today was in sharp contrast to yesterday. Mount Shasta was regal and there were warnings that the mountain could be dangerous because in the warm weather, forecast to be 90 degrees, there could be avalanches. Oregon was curvy with new vistas at every curve.
In Ashland at 9:00 am I called some old Sierra Club friends, Kathleen and Scott, and was invited to a lovely brunch that was already planned since Kathleen’s sister was in town.
It was good to finally get to see Gunnel and Phil’s floating home. Gunnel and I have been friends since our kids were small and we have had the chance to travel together some. They cruised on the Sea of Cortez for a two years on a beautiful sailboat, Aquarius, and I was lucky enough to join them for a couple of weeks. They are still floating but now it is in a 2100 sqft home securely moored in Portland.
Sunday, May 17
Day 4 – Portland to Scott’s home in Seattle - 176 miles
Sunday morning Gunnel and I went to a nearby wildlife area for an invigorating walk before I took off for Scott’s house. We heard many birds, saw a crane standing so still he looked a little like a stick and noted that there were many beavers working in the area. There were river otters playing in the lake. At least we think they were otters. We ruled out most other sea going mammals and since they kept coming to the surface we are sure they were mammals. After lunch at a floating Dock I was off to Seattle.
I am having a problem with the batteries that power the lights, refrigerator, etc on the Roadtrek. Phil helped me and I thought that we had it licked last night but now I see that the problem is persisting. Seattle is large enough that I should be able to get some help.
The van was ready, I was sure, and all I had to do was finish gathering clean clothes and writing a few bills before lunch at Sonia’s. Boy how time implodes! The last straw was not being able to find the keys for the Saab which was parked behind the Roadtrek in the driveway. No keys-no go anywhere. They were finally found in a logical place…on the counter of the Van.
Lunch at Sonia’s is always a treat. The “starters” were great and then we had five star quality Tomato Bisque soup and a lovely salad. The desert, I think from Australia was called Pavlova. It is a crisp meringue with fresh black berries and our wonderful local strawberries with custard and whipped cream. Thanks, Sonia!
Day 1 – Lompoc to Harris Ranch - 154 miles
How to get from the Coast to Interstate 5 is always a topic of discussion. Everyone has their favorite way. Should I try Pacheco Pass, Hwy 46 or Hwy 41?
Highway 41 is a delightful ride through the coastal hills and thou it isn’t any faster than going up to Paso Robles and taking Hwy 46, it was my choice. The hills were golden in the evening light. As is often the case I had no idea where I would stop for the night. I just wanted to get out of town. A Great Idea hit. What about Harris Ranch? This was often a destination for Karen and me with the 99’s (women pilots). We would fly over to Harris Ranch for a great lunch and take some of their wonderful beef home with us. Sure enough there were a number of RV’s parked around the parking lot. Others must have had the same idea. I’m not sure it is condoned by the Ranch since the do have a lovely Inn as well as a great restaurant and gift shop. The food was great and I got a good night sleep.
Friday, May 15
Day 2 – Harris Ranch to Shasta Lake 353 miles
I wish there was something good to tell you about this route. It was so boring that I had to take two naps. I did stop the Van to nap. I will try harder the next time I come north to leave in enough time to take the Coast Route, Hwy 101 if not Hwy 1.
The Mountain Gate RV Park at Shasta Lake was clean and well maintained and the folks were very pleasant though it was too close to the highway to suit me.
Saturday, May 16
Day 3 – Shasta Lake to Gunnel and Phil’s home in Portland - 417 miles
The drive today was in sharp contrast to yesterday. Mount Shasta was regal and there were warnings that the mountain could be dangerous because in the warm weather, forecast to be 90 degrees, there could be avalanches. Oregon was curvy with new vistas at every curve.
In Ashland at 9:00 am I called some old Sierra Club friends, Kathleen and Scott, and was invited to a lovely brunch that was already planned since Kathleen’s sister was in town.
It was good to finally get to see Gunnel and Phil’s floating home. Gunnel and I have been friends since our kids were small and we have had the chance to travel together some. They cruised on the Sea of Cortez for a two years on a beautiful sailboat, Aquarius, and I was lucky enough to join them for a couple of weeks. They are still floating but now it is in a 2100 sqft home securely moored in Portland.
Sunday, May 17
Day 4 – Portland to Scott’s home in Seattle - 176 miles
Sunday morning Gunnel and I went to a nearby wildlife area for an invigorating walk before I took off for Scott’s house. We heard many birds, saw a crane standing so still he looked a little like a stick and noted that there were many beavers working in the area. There were river otters playing in the lake. At least we think they were otters. We ruled out most other sea going mammals and since they kept coming to the surface we are sure they were mammals. After lunch at a floating Dock I was off to Seattle.
I am having a problem with the batteries that power the lights, refrigerator, etc on the Roadtrek. Phil helped me and I thought that we had it licked last night but now I see that the problem is persisting. Seattle is large enough that I should be able to get some help.
2 comments:
I typed an entire message before realizing you had to be signed on to Google. So it wiped everything out and here I am again. Oh well, this gives me a second chance to adlib. Glad to see you are stopping when you get bored with driving. The sunset picture is gorgeous. Can't wait to hear what adventures occur next.
Hugs and enjoy the moment, Chris
My coach lights were wavering, fluctuating, whatever - they were not working right when I was connected to the land electricity. Turned out that my terminals were corroded and that the water was a little low. I had neglected them, and the experts at the dealer showed me what to do. The lights have been ok ever since. - Good Luck. Sherrie
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