Jenner to Fort Bragg

Francesca misses the coast. She used to live in Jenner and the Russian River, so off we go.

Our first stop was at Goat Rock where she had good memories with her old dogs. Our Huskies enjoyed it very much

First camp was at Salt Point. Everything looks good here. Maybe Ocean camp would have been better with views of the ocean, but with wind and fog it would have been too exposed. However the weather was perfect for this whole trip.

It has a nice place to ride the bike along the plateau. No dogs allowed on the paths. Good thing nobody was looking.

Gualala was special. Francesca found an unnatural affinity for the Gualala Supermarket. Our campground was the smaller one on the south side. 13 had lots of privacy, but was not on the river. Putting in was not so easy, the best place was at site 10. Thank god they were nice to offer use to it. I tried to get out at the more public spot and fell in the water.

The river was held up by the sand bar so it was quiet and full. Even so it is very shallow. A couple of weeks earlier some girls got washed out to sea when there was no sand bar holding it up.

The visitor center was just on the other side of Hwy 1. They had wi fi. As usual it is always nice to have lunch at day use, visitor centers, vista points. Super nice to have wi fi with lunch and the only contact for this whole trip.

The big ocean beach and paved walk to it is spectacular. Dogs must be on leash or be fined $300. We did not see a soul on the beach.

We just got lucky here. However a short walk up river from the campground was a rocky shore where one is less likely to get busted.

Hwy 1 from Jenner to here is a nightmare and I made the comment that bicycles had more danger genes than hang glider pilots. Then in camp I met this guy. He is riding his unicycle from Canada to Mexico City, 10,000k.

Anchor Bay was a campground, day use place listed in Francesca's book as dog friendly. One can camp right at the edge of the ocean.

Point Arena was a nice stop. The lens was down in the museum.

I went to the top and took a few pics.

We stopped at the Navarro river, but didn't kayak. I thought the history of the campground was interesting as hobbo hippies had lived there for years. It was right on the beach and not a single person camping there now.

Van Damme is close to the beach. Mendocino is more populated. I did get busted on this beach, but they had loads of fun there. We went up Big River on the boats.

Francesca loved walking the bluffs at Mendocino.

Point Cabrillo was really nice. The lady told me how their lens was made in England and although not as big as the one at Point Arena, it was clearer, not as green. It was installed and still working. However because of this we could not go up there and see it.

Stopped at Williams airport on the way home. Francesca said there would be pie, but she was thinking of Willows airport. I was glad to see a well run sailplane place. Then in Nevada City we got an alcoholic root beer with our lunch. I liked it enough to get a six pack at the local store to bring home.

Death Valley again

We just had to see it with the super bloom.

Wine Tasting

Camping at a commercial campground is not something we do, but it was close to all the wine tasting in Plymouth. The funny thing was the "No tent camping sign."  We may sleep in the van, but cleaning dishes at the spigot makes us just as rude as a tent camper.

The dogs had their first test of being on leash all the time.

Staycation

This year we only kayaked on Lake Tahoe, our home. There are many places to put in and we used most of them because we only go about 7 miles at a time. Early season it was easier to drive to the other side of the lake so we started there. The camper van is intregal, not because we stayed in it, but because we used the motorcycle as a retrieval vehicle. This way we went one direction only.

Baldwin Beach is a way into Emerald Bay from the south and our first stop. Easy entrance, we parked in the west parking lot.

It is a short jaunt to the entrance of Emerald Bay. Even early season many people head here.

Paddle wheels, and fake paddle wheels bring in the tourists.

The nest trip took us to Meeks Bay. Park on the north side because you have to walk around the swim area.

 

We went south to Emerald Bay from here. Not too bright. We went past Bliss State Park and if one is going to do an out and return to Emerald Bay, start at Bliss. If one only has one day to kayak at Tahoe, Bliss to Emerald Bay is the one to do!

Somehow I lost the rest of the pictures, save one. We went one way from here. First was Meeks Bay to Kaspian, then Kaspian to Lake Forest. Lake Forest toTahoe Vista ended the west shore. We have done Incline to Tahoe Vista many times.

On the East Shore The big one was Cave Rock to Sand Harbor. This is twice as far as we usually go. Half way we stopped at Skunk Harbor for lunch.

Cave Rock to Nevada Beach is nice and easy, as was Nevada Beach to South Shore.

Timberline

I went to Oregon on business, but stopped and skied Timberline and Bachelor.

Between Poison Lake and Hat Creek. I saw more trees blown down by wind than ever before. I can not believe I don't have pictures. It was only latter on I began to realize how this was a once in a lifetime event. I will get pictures next time.

Saw some family, did my business and then drove to Government Camp Rest Area. I was surprised how unfriendly it was to overnighting with signs and required snow park passes, but I stayed the night without being hassled. (I arrived at 1:30am)

Timberline was sad with so little snow. I did take a couple of pics.

I had the strangest thing happen in the parking lot. The alarm kept setting itself. I keep the alarm fob even though I don't use it thank god. However at one point I got locked out with the keys inside. Argg! Well the next day it hit me... another van was parked next to me with a Asian family going in and out while watching their child take lessons. I did not think my alarm was a ford product but that is the only thing I can think of. Every time they alarmed their van it did mine as well.

Mt. Hood is impressive

The view from the top is epic.

I love the cat.

Where Timberline was operating on a shoestring, Mt Bachelor was in full swing. I forgot what a world class ski area it is. I have no pictures because I forgot to bring a cord to charge the camera. Live and learn.

Slept at the McDonalds. I didn't plan to, but I fell asleep and before I knew it morning had arrived. I am really surprised I didn't get bothered by the police because the McDonalds closed at 11.

Skied with a wonderful old man in the morning. He was a finance professor who has made all is money since retiring by investing in motels etc.

Slept downtown in Lakeview on the way home. Again I was surprised not to be bothered.

Death Valley

The place to go when it is cold in the mountains.

First stop was Furnace Creek. The whole trip was a bit of a tourist route, but we are tourist. The drive starts at the low point.

Then on to the Natural Bridge

But far more interesting is the Artist Drive

Zubrinski point was a little underwhelming, but Francesca was determined because of a movie she knew was filmed there.

I debated about the drive to Dante's view point. We are so glad we went.

The next day we went to the salt marsh to look at tiny fish. While there we help a handicapped French Canadian with his dead van.

Ubehebe was great and a nice hike around it.

Scotties Castle did not excite Francesca, but I took a pic

Just to make sure our ears would pop we went to see the oldest trees on the way home.