Saturday, August 24, 2013

Northern CA road trip...days 5-9

On the road again...it was fun because we would switch seats
throughout the miles.  Deveraux and Tia had some talks in the back
seat. Out kids were so good.  We started by not bringing out the Ipad and then it
became intentional and it was only used in the last two hours we were on the road. 
 
Memorial Lighthouse. This was not a lighthouse you
could tour, I believe it was a replica of the original,
but it was beautiful and we took a hike down to the beach
which was unique and stunning.



Walk down from Memorial Lighthouse

Like an island of rocks

 

 

Here we are on our way to the National Redwood Forest.
We stopped to check out some wild animals, we heard there
was a great beach across the water but we decided not to cross
  for fear of getting stuck.
 
Taking it in,,,,


All I can say is Big trees!
And old trees.
These redwoods were around when dinosaurs
walked the earth!

304 feet!
1500 years old!





















It gives perspective when you stand near them. 













In Crescent City for the evening.
A cozy restaurant with yummy food.




Battery Point Lighthouse
Tara and I had gone on a morning run.  We came to
this lighthouse to check it out and then brought the rest
of the family later.  It is a good memory of starting
the day together on a run and exploring.  We noticed
there was a sign that the lighthouse would be closed
due to high tide.  First we were bummed and looked
at the low tide water and wondered why it would be closed.
Notice the fisherman and the little one next to him.


We met the lighthouse keeper as he was getting
ready to mow the lawn.  He and his wife were volunteering
for a couple of months as the keepers.  He said he enjoyed
the experience.

So hours later we discovered why the lighthouse was
closed for the day as high tide did come in and we did not make it
back to the car without getting our feet wet (except for Dev-who wants
me to make sure that is stated).

Starting to head towards Oregon, the landscape is changing a bit.


Our first time in Oregon!
The outside of the Oregon caves.
The cave included a 90 minute tour.  I was worried I
would get a bit claustrophobic, only one part felt a bit
cozy.  Some parts were huge.  This was our first cave
tour for our kids and our family was the only one on the tour.


This is ranger Brad. I believe we all had a crush on
ranger Brad.  The kids became junior park rangers
that day and now will keep our lands beautiful.


Ranger Brad's car did not start unfortunately (we were
the last tour of the day) so we got to know Ranger
Brad all the way to his house. 
Teaching the kiddos how to whistle using an acorn.



We were able to see our dear friend Nikki, who me met in college.
Heather (my sister) and I also lived with Nikki after college.
She is such a dear friend and has visited us twice in
Maui and once in Louisiana, we had never been to her
home in Grants Pass so it was fun to see her stomping grounds.
She took us to this drugstore for ice cream treats!

My kids enjoyed Nikki and her dog.


Oregon farmers market, lots of goodies!
On the road again.....headed to Lake Tahoe 
Lake Shasta
Bobo loves his kitty....Bobo just said, "whose who are those feet?"
Shasta Dam....
The hydro-electric power created by the Shasta Dam provides
much of the  electricity in Northern CA,

We finally got these two together in a seat,
they had a good time.
Last stop....Lake Tahoe
Bobo loved the pool!





Deveraux and I had a little hike together and had
a special time together.



We love the pinecones!
Our library friends that helped us on our trip!
I loved this farm....Pennington Farms. Nikki took Andrew and I
there while in Oregon.  The kiddos were with Papa D and Tia
visiting Dogs for the Deaf.  I loved this little farm, but I don't
have pictures to show.  The store was inviting....a pink stove cooking
 yummy treats, jars of jam everywhere, and homemade goodies!
We brought these jars home with us.
A good road trip! 
 Many sights, winding roads, coastline, cows,
mellow towns, and the enjoyment of spontaneity and discovery that comes with
 being on vacation time. 

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