Kit and Carol on the Road

We left the coast and over to the sunny UMpqua valley--specifically to Hillcrest Vineyard near Roseburg. This was not only the first winery in Oregon but the place where we first learned about real wine. The new owner is a real kick to visit with but makes great wine. Tasted lots bought some. Weather was so fine we stayed the night at our favorite RV park in Roseburg. Saturday we passed by Eugene in the fog--except for a stop at PC market of choice--food nirvana!! Came to Sweet Home where the sun was shining. River Bend county park is always lovely and the best deal so far. Today made it to 80's. More visit with mom and stop in Salem to see Milli and move furniture. Now we are at Champoeg State Park. Tomorrow we go to visit my niece and new great nephew. Home Tuesday eve

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We've been a couple days on the rain coast. The March (and April) rain on the southern Oregon coast was record breaking. Hwy 101 was in "mal estado" Had a rough time finding a place to camp on the CA coast and ended up at an unpleasant Ca state park. Luckily we are now in Oregon and were able to stay in a wonderful state park. And the rain finally stopped

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Still headed up Hwy 1. California is closed. I was really disappointed that Fort Ross historical park was closed and quite a number of campgrounds as well. So we inched up the coast to Mendecino where I had a shopping break. Then backtracked to Albion where we had seen this campground under the bridge

Frog has a view of the boat traffic in and out of the Harbor. Out our other windows we can see Bodega Bay and out to the Pacific. We are camped at the end of a spit with awesome views and beach walking. Didn't come even 30 miles today. Saw this spot from the top of Bodega Head where we had a fine hike but saw no whales

We tarried in Calistoga this morning worried about a leaking tire. Kit thinks it was the valve and that he fixed it but we don't want to leave Les Schwab country. So we came to the county fairground in Santa Rosa. We came the adventurous way following Ned our GPS. Another gravel parking lot but not as crowded as Napa And there is a laundry room. Rode our bikes into town late afternoon and found Luther Burbanks former home what's left of the gardens. We were in time for the last tour. Did you know that all of the potatoes we eat are descended from one potato plant. LB was responsible for creating it but there were no plant patents back then.

This is what wineries used to look like in Napa. Now they are mod ugly. This is actually part of Frank Family winery--one of our favorites where we once had a most memorable tasting. Alas it is now voted everyones favorite and formerly free tastings are now $20. We didn't stop. Gorgeous weather now so we were out on a bike ride. Got our wine at the Wine Garage. Fairgrounds in Calistoga is pretty full of big rigs--more clubs. Mostly people just sit in the sun and visit

It seems we are always returning to the same old places. Today we made a lunch time side trip into Pleasanton which was indeed a pleasant place--with nice shops and restaurants. We had an Indian buffet lunch. Found out too late there was RV camping at the fairgrounds. Saving it for some other day
So we continued to Napa and stopped in Skyline Park which was a disappointment because it was is so full (never before) and our site so un-level. We did get in a nice walk before the rain came.

Not the greatest weather but we had a nice stop in Monterey and visit with Joe J . Here are Kit and I on the wharf. Staying tonight at Laguna Seca

Easter morning we were wakened at 5:19 by very loud music. Seems the Hispanic Foursquare church next door was having sunrise service outdoors long before sunrise. Day ended much better. Found a spot at Jalama Beach. It's got to be our favorite beach campground Spent two days there.

We spent most of today visiting Virginia and Ernie in Cathedral City. Then a 2 hour drive up to the high desert where we are the only overnighters in Adelanto RV park. Plan was to continue through Bakersfield to Paso Robles. But now we plan to backtrack a little and head for the coast at Ventura-- much farther south. Who knows what crowds we will find

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Wow! Trees and water. We are here on the Salton Sea in the friendliest little RV park in the west. We were immediately invited to a moon howl party. Free food. BYO We all howled at the full moon before it disappeared into clouds. No clouds in the morning. Soon headed to Cathedral City

Leaving Orpi this morning. Last night we saw a rattlesnake eating a rabbit. What can top that?

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We have left Tucson for Organ Pipe. Not only did we find the brilliant pink hedgehogs but the cholla are in bloom as well in shades of yellow orange and red

Hot hiking but the blooms are a treasure. Leaving Tucson next Wednesday