As we rolled into the neighborhood at a few minutes before midnight on Saturday the trip meter on the car read 5200 miles. 10 states in 10 days. average of 520 mile a day! i should be a trucker!
Day 1
Usually on a trip like that you encounter rain. We drove through rain on day one. After that, it was clear skies the rest of the way.
After checking in to a local RV park and setting up camp, we took off for a look around the area.
The dry cool air of Colorado had Amy, Kiah and I in the mood for some hiking and rock climbing. We got to do a bit of both in the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. The wonderfull smell of cedar trees welcomed us as we entered the park.The late evening sunlight provided an incredible contrast of light and shadow on the towering red cliffs. An inviting crevice lured the girls upward into a cave-like room with seating for two. They sat and chatted and laughed in their private little rock room. After a short while, I reluctantly informed the girls that there were more sights to see and darkness was looming, so they said their goodbyes to the crevice and we all went exploring until dark.
After a one night camp out at the RV park (that seemed to be in a direct flight path of the loudest jet planes known to man), we set off to visit Colorado University at Colorado Springs.
( Our trip was scheduled around visits to 4 colleges from Colorado to Washington and California to give the girls a better idea of what to look for as they are both graduating High School this coming spring.) I will not go into detail about these campus visits so as to keep this summary as short as possible. I will say though, this fact finding mission was a success. No decisions have been made but we all got a better perpective of what lies ahead in this important transition period to come.
Day 2
After loading up and gassing the car up (3.39 a gallon in Colorado Springs) we hit the road northward through The Mile High City, Cheyenne and Casper Wyoming, then up to a beautiful campsite west of Buffalo. There we took our system of setting up camp to a new level. As I un packed the tent and layed it out , the girls got the air mattresses inflated then came over and helped get the tent standing, stakes driven, sleeping bags in and the rain fly on.
With a sparkling mountain stream roaring behind us and a beautiful cliff in our front yard we were in a campers paradise. The cliff had to be scaled and the stream had to be explored so we got right to it. Kiah decided to do a barefoot climb (which made for tender feet and band-aid requests later). Both her and Amy scurried up ahead as I packed a small back pack before heading out. When I caught up I was pleased to find that they had bushwhacked through some prickley trees and brambles and managed to scale a steep field of boulders and outcroppings. I joined them for the rest of the climb and the reward was more than just reaching the top. Witnessing my daughter and my niece climbing this cliff gives me confidence in what they might achieve in the future.The skills it takes to take climb a cliff is not unlike many other important tasks in our lives. Mapping out a plan and executing the plan, adjusting to unexpected difficulties, and staying determined and focused (even in frightening moments) until you've completed the task. The cliff provided a test of sorts and the girls passed with flying colors!
After making our way back down, the cold stream beckoned and the girls plunged in! ( My excuse for not joining them was a search for fire-wood). I did manage to do some wading and it was invigorating to say the least. After playing for the best part of an hour in the stream, we decided to take a quick trip into Buffalo to buy some hot-dogs and buns to roast.
At a food market at the edge of town we were told there was not a bun to be found in town due all of the cook-outs the previous few days celebrating the 4th of July week-end. So we bought some sandwich rolls, some all beef franks and some marshmallows and headed out the door. The store had a promotion for a 10 percent discount for patrons of 50 years old and older. I also bought some flip flops for Amy for the ridiculous price of 88 cents. Oh the perks of getting older!
After eating our weiner roast goodies, and a few fire-side stories, we settled down for a cold night, with the constant roar of the mountain stream singing her lullaby.
to be continued.........
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Day3
Off to Bozeman Montana and beyond.Amy got a turn driving while out in the rolling grass lands of Wyoming.Temperatures stayed consistantly in tne 60's and low 70's to make traveling very enjoyable for mid July.
Besides the interesting changes from grassland to bluffs and mountains, the only memorable event of the day was an unintentionable leaving of Kiah at a rest stop in Idaho.After taking a short break,I got back in the car. started it, put it in reverse and we were on our way. Amy said,What about Kiah?
I made a quick glance to the back seat and quickly pulled into one of the last parking spots in the lot. When Kiah came out of the light brown brick building,she stopped momentarily in her tracks,looked to her right and walked to the car.From there after on the trip, I made extra sure everyone was aboard before even putting the key in the ignition.
We stopped for the night at a KOA in Spokane Washington. Got a nice little spot under a shade tree. After setting up,our 'neighbor' asked if the office told us about the trains that roll through here.I looked over and not 75 feet over were the tracks. I though it can't be bad as the mighty jet planes in Colorado Springs! Wrong! We may as well have set up on the tracks. It felt like the mid-night express went through the front door of our tent. It's louder twin brother blasted through sometime later in the night and left our scattered remains shuttering on the air mattresses. Nothing like a nice quiet camp-out!
to be continued........
great trip. i wanna come next time!!
Day 4
We traveled westward toward Olympia Washinton on Saturday morning. Rich farmland stretched for miles along I-90.The majestic Mt.Ranier served as an ominous backdrop to the fields of barley, wheat,corn,potatoes,and fruit orchards that lined the roadway.We estimated that we were 150 miles away and yet Ranier dominated the landscape.Along the way we got side-tracked somehow and ended up going down a lonely but serene county road in central Washington. The wheat field was so gold and thick it was tempting to jump out of the car and go roll around in it. We slowed down at one point to get a close look at the wonderous grass and came face to face with a little red fox. He looked at us looking at him then turned and disappeared into the golden field.
From there we got back on I-90 and rolled from rural Washington into the land of millions of people. Traffic really picked up once we got within 50 miles of Seattle.Things got a little bit better when we made the southwest turn toward Tacoma and the even better when we turned westward once again toward Olympia. Olympia was our motivation for going on this trip. Evergreen University
is hidden in the lush forest of Olympia. Amy had recieved information about Evergreen in the mail and through further research decided it might be a college she would like to attend. Initially I was totally against it (can't have my baby so far away), but after disgussing it more we decided a vacation out west would be a great way to investigate these possibilities.
After our exploration of Evergreen we proceded southward through Vancouver then Portland Oregon.
It was obvious that making our way to Eureka California (to Emerson and Sara's house) that evening was not going to happen so we decided to take the scenic 101 down the Pacific coastline.
to be continued..........
Day 5
Taking the 101 Pacific Coast Highway was everything I hoped it would be. (other than the heavy traffic at times). Beautiful forests(many Giant Redwoods), picturesque little coastal towns and unbelievable views of the ocean made for pleasant traveling. The evening portion of our drive down the 101 gave a postcard-like effect, with the sun slowly sinking toward the shimmering horizon.Sunlight splashed the steep rock ridges with an orange glow, providing an eye popping contrast between the light of the sun and the dark shade cast by massive trees.
Along with enjoying the scenery, a plan for over-night lodging was underway. Scanning the map,Amy located several campsites up the road and we were excited by the possibility of camping near the ocean. The excitement turned to disappointment, as each time we passed a campsite, signs were posted,'campsite full'. Being Saturday evening it made sense that week-end campers were out in force and we now realized that finding a place would be difficult at best.Fortune turned our way as we pulled into Waldport Oregon . We found a campsite on a quiet little cove just east of town. It wasn't directly on the ocean but there was no doubt we were on the coast. Seagulls, salty air and a breeze that only an ocean can whip up greeted us to campsite #1.After setting up the tent,we made sandwiches,and got a campfire going. The long road and the hypnotic flickering of the campfire seemed to lull everyone to an early bed-time.It was lights out and rest up for the planned drive into northern California on Sunday morning.
to be continued..............
Day 6
The morning sunlight gave an all new look to the ocean scenery.Instead of the orange glow /deep shadow contrast of the evening before,we saw bright blues of the sky and reflecting waters,and deep greens of the bordering forest. White foam surged on to the golden brown beach,then pulled away. The tumbling surf splashed on huge dark rocks jutting out of the water. Early morning walkers and joggers dotted the land scape. The immense body of water made them look like toy figures.
The drive through the coastal towns had a typical Saturday morning feel to it, with coffee shops, yard sales and farmers markets drawing crowds of people.
By late morning we had passed through Coos Bay Oregon (home-town of running legend Steve Prefontaine), Gold Beach and Brookings Oregon, and then into Northern California.
We had the California Fruit Troop welcome us at the border.Asked if we had any illegal alien fruit aboard, I said no (knowing all the while that I had an okie apple somewhere under all the luggage in the trunk) and passed on through.
By mid afternoon after a scenic drive from the border to Eureka, we arrived at Emerson and Saras' house. Waiting out in the front yard was Emerson and Javelin.After a nice welcome Emerson showed us aound the place as Javi warmed up to the idea of company! After the 'tour' we had settled a bit and Sara came home from being out.
We all hung out, chatted and relaxed for awhile,then Emerson, Kiah and I went for a walk to the Giant Redwood park just a few blocks from the house.What a treat it was to see these magnificent trees. The old okie in me still finds it amazing that people get to enjoy these wonderful trees everyday just by walking a mile or two. It's hard to imagine that these giants could be taken for granted by seeing them on a daily basis.Hopefully that's not the case.
Later in the evening Emerson took me out for a 30 aerobic work-out. (He on his bike to 'lead the way' and I on foot.The cool evning air made the run seem almost effortless.Up and down the hills of Buhne Street Emerson lead me westward until we could see signs of water off in the distance. Knowing what was out there made me look forward to the outing we had planned in the next day or two.
to be continued.....
Day 7
A visit to the Humboldt University campus was top priority for the morning.With Emersons guidance we got a good look at pretty much all of the various buildings (educational halls,athletic facilities,administrative buildings,and the library.
After a nice tour with Javi being rotated from the back-pack carrier to being arm held and then back again, we went to the downtown area of Arcada. Amy, Kiah and I went exploring a bit on our own(and to a New York style pizza place recommended by Emerson),while he made the attempt to get Javi to nap down in the van.
As advertized the pizza was fantastic.After finishing up we ordered a slice for Emerson and walked back to the van. Emerson and Javi were chilling out in the grass of the park-like square in the towns center.
Javi was too excited with the commotion of visitors and all to take a nap! He and I explored a few blades of grass and and had a nice discussion while the girls took a walk and Emerson ate his pizza.
We topped off our Arcada visit with ice-cream, then it was back to Eureka.A quick tour of the downtown district and it was on to the house.
During our stay at Eureka, Kiah played a time or two on the piano at the Samulski house-hold. She, Emerson and Javi took turns playing thier best. One of the mini concerts had a father-son act that actually sounded pretty good! Emerson played a slow soft melody and Javi pounded a two handed exclamation. Something like a gentle rain interupted by a powerful blast of thunder! Bravo!
Time has passed and my recollection of the sequence of events has suffered so here is a summary of the remaining time spent at Emerson,Sara and Javi's home in no particular order.
A fantastic trip to Trinidad beach north of Arcata gave us all an opportunity to hike a bluff,play in the relentless waves of the Pacific, do some running on the beach and bury ourselves in the soft warm sand.To see and hear the roaring water rythmically rushing in then pausing a moment before sliding away over and over again was hypnotic and soothing.It was a joy to see the girls having such fun.
We also had a trip out to the Humboldt Bay area. A sleepy foghorn sounded repeatedly in the distance. Starfish of various colors were clinging to the large gray boulders which served as a breaker.The surf seemed to try to blast the little starfish loose with enormous force.In the wake of the blast,we got a good soaking from time to time with the fishy smelling spray.
Later after dinner, Emerson and I ventured out on bikes. It seemed strange to me that we would have to bundle up in jackets and gloves and hats....in July! We made the 18 mile loop that Emerson speaks of quite frequently on the blog. It was nice to witness first hand , the rolling hills,the cold air,the wind and the traffic that I had only imagined previously.
In the blink of an eye it seems, it was time to reload the car and head east. Emerson and Sarah loaded us down with bread ,meat,crackers and sweets.(all of which were enjoyed on our journey back home.) Before we left we had a group picture of everyone taken by the auto timer of Emersons camera.Everyone was smiling even though it was a bit sad to leave.I do think however, the image that resulted reflects the great time we shared during our visit.Javi waved his little hand as Emerson,Sara and he stood in their yard as we drove away.Now off to Nevada!
To be continued.......
Days 8 and 9
Most everyone has made the long lonely trip across Nevada. Without any delays it makes for an unbelievably monotonous drive if you're on the interstate as we were. But to make matters worse,we hit delay after delay before we ever got to the slower...... er silver state. Long lines of traffic would come to a standstill out in the middle of nowhere. A 'pilot car' would eventually lead a long parade of traffic through a supposed construction zone.On several of these delays we saw no construction going on at all. When I finally saw a worker he was on a comical brush machine. No bigger than a golf cart with a rotating brush under the drivers feet, it made me laugh in disbelief that so many people were being stopped for up to twenty minutes at a time for this little guy.Our tax dollars hard at work!
Long dry hills, a few dust devils,and mini casinos at every exit were the highlights of the drive on day 8. We made it to Windover and due to no campsite availability had a stay in a motel for the first time on the trip.
Day 9
The trouble with traveling eastward over several states is the time change. You get penalized an hour just for crossing a border. It can be a bit demoralizing for someone that has a time schedule in mind. Anyway as we drove into Utah we were greeted with the great salt plain and a loss of one hour. The snowmelt from the big spring snows really made for unexpected watery scenes for miles and miles before getting into the Salt Lake City area.At one point we were on a strip of tarmac that seemed to be suspended by the surrounding waters. Fences were submerged.Wind whipped up the water into a mini-pacific ocean surf.Not what I expected to see in western Utah.
After getting through Salt Lake City and turning souteastward, the scenery was much improved.
Passing through skyscraper-like cliffs,then red canyons,grassy bluffs, then rolling hills and finally desert-like terrain, the miles were much easier today.
Suddenly we were in colorful Colorado!
to be continued........
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