​​Mike and Susan's Road Trip

We made our way down toward LA on the 5, and drove out through Pasadena and Palm Springs on our way to Indio. 

Made our way down the middle of California to Fresno, and were completely surprised by the amount of flatlands and agriculture in the area, and at the massive amount of trash on the sides of the interstate.  Had no idea this part of California existed, and the complete lack of rain makes it dusty, dry, and not what you think of when you picture California.  Drove up to Yosemite and were floored by the beauty and magnitude of the park and especially Yosemite Valley.  The Falls, Sequoias, El Capitan, and Half Dome were incredible, and we walked through the valley just in awe, and its hard to believe people by the hundreds are climbing up the sides.  Spent the next day relaxing, shopping, Susan went for a massage and pedicure, and we got stocked and ready for a few days in Indio.

DAY 47   WINE COUNTRY, CA

DAY 45-46  OREGON COAST, CAL COAST, REDWOODS NATIONAL PARK

DAY 58-60  FLAGSTAFF, GRAND CANYON, SEDONA, AZ

DAY 61-62  MOAB, UT

Started the day at the Henny Penny again before heading down to San Francisco for the day.  We started at Lands End Park overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and watched the Blue Angels fly around and over the Golden Gate Bridge for Fleet Week.  Not sure how we were lucky enough to catch that, but it was amazing to see them rip through the sky.  Drove down crooked Lombard St on our way over to the Wharf, and spent the afternoon checking out the seals, walking down the Wharf, eating entirely too much seafood, and enjoying a wonderful evening along the San Francisco Waterfront.  Unfortunately Scott and Julie had to head out the next morning, time flies when you are having fun!  We cleaned up and headed back to Lagunitas for the afternoon to enjoy tasting the rest of their beers and have a bite to eat!

DAY 40-42  SEATTLE AND OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, WA

DAY 63-66  GOLDEN, RNP, CO SPRINGS, CO

Went from Three Forks to Spokane the first day.  Crossed Idaho to find out that Idaho has the largest mountains yet.  Idaho potatoes definitely do not come from here.  Come to find out the following day, the potato capital of the US is actually in the plains of Washington.  Crossed over the amazing Columbia River Gorge before making our way to Seattle, Tacoma, and around to the quaint fishing town of Gig Harbor.  It was a really cool drive through the Northwest corner of the country including towns like Coeur D'Alene, Idaho with a beautiful mountain lake, just amazing scenery.  For the first time since New York, we have seen something different than Corn, hay, and Sunflowers in the fields.

DAY 38-39  THREE FORKS  TO  GIG HARBOR, WA

DAY 69-72  MEMPHIS, TN

DAY 57  PHOENIX, AZ

DAY 50-52  FRESNO/YOSEMITE, CA

DAY 53-56  INDIO, CA....DESERT TRIP CONCERT

Spent a couple of days in the Oregon rainforest with Scott and Julie.  Went up to the Wilamette Valley and checked out a couple of the wineries, Argyle and Domaine Serene.  Drove back up to Portland to see Aunt Dena and Uncle Kim n Downtown Portland.  Had a great dinner at one of the oldest Seafood Restaurants in Portland, and then went to Salt and Straw ice cream for Dessert and tried some crazy flavors that include olive oil, pigs blood, Blue Cheese, Lavender, and more.  Unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate while we were there, so we didn't do much outside, but had a wonderful time seeing family, and its hard to go wrong with the wineries.

DAY 73-74  MEMPHIS, TN TO SPRUCE PINE, NC

DAY 67-68  GOLDEN, CO TO PITTSBURG, KS

We spent the day driving down 101 along the amazing Oregon Coast from Lincoln City to Crescent City, CA.  Seemed like every turn was even more amazing scenery, and there were so many small towns along the way, we could have spent a week here.  We spent the night in Crescent City, and woke up the next morning and spent some time in the Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park.  The early morning light in the trees was amazing, and the trees were beyond belief.  Pictures just do not do any of it justice, it is almost a religious experience walking through the trees and being in their presence.  After a couple of hours, we continued the drive down 101 to Petaluma.  It was an incredible drive through all of the Redwoods and down the California Coast.  It was a long day, but the views just didn't stop, and the redwoods sticking out into the road that have been paved around made for interesting travel.  Made it to the Campground just after Sunset and went over to Pete's Henny Penny for some comfort food before we headed to the wineries. 

Wandered around the north end of Seattle and met up with our Friends Jen and Stefan at their house that night for a wonderful dinner!  Enjoyed seeing them and their beautiful Kids, Magnus, Anika and Justis.  Thanks again guys, it was great to see you!  Picked up Scott and Julie the following morning at SeaTac and headed up to Pikes Market for lunch at Lowells overlooking Puget Sound, picked up some groceries and supplies at the market, and wandered all over downtown Seattle.  We all met Heather and Kevin for a great dinner at Local 360 before heading back to Gig Harbor and settling in for our next week of travels with the 4 of us.  Went up to Olympic National Park then next day to check out the rainforest, Hurricane Ridge, and had a great dinner on the waterfront in Port Angeles.  With a nice view of Victoria, BC, it was hard to believe we were there 10 years ago for our honeymoon. 

DAY 48-49  SAN FRANCISCO/PETALUMA, CA 

DAY 43-44  LINCOLN CITY, WILLAMETTE VALLEY, PORTLAND, OR

Went up to Sonoma Valley and started at the Bell Winery which was an amazing experience.  Anthony Bell is an amazing winemaker, and we had the pleasure of watching him work his magic.  We had a great lunch in Yountville, and spent some time wandering through the shops before heading up the valley to Caymus Vineyards, another great experience!  It was neat to see all of the big names in wine up and down the valley, and hear the stories from the guys that have spent their life there. We made our way back to Petaluma and hit the Lagunitas Brewery for a nightcap on the way back to the RV.