California, Oregon, - Oraingon - day 31

Here are a few more photos taken when we left Crescent City, CA into southern Oregon, through Grants Pass then down to Talent, Oregon for two days. Before we left Crescent City we walked to the lighthouse at low tide to snap these. Notice the pattern on the curtains. Remember, you can double click any photo to enlarge it.




These are of the beautiful and fast moving Smith River before it empties into the Pacific



Then the welcome sign.


On the way through Grant's Pass OR to Medford we sighted the "Sheriffs Car" from Cooper's favorite movie CARZ.
We also saw this "service" truck with the humorous caption on its side which said "A Royal Flush beats a Full House Anytime."



We stayed with Peg's Aunt Cleo, in Medford OR, and while there, took a day trip to Crater Lake. It was raining off and on, but still worth the trip. It was so rainy and misty when when we arrived in Crater Lake, even though the lodge was open, the rim road drive was closed because it still had not been cleared of snow. There was over 200 inches of snow this year, which seems like a lot, but in past years 300 to 400 inches a year was not uncommon. There was so much fog and mist in the crater you could not see down to the lake, which was 900 feet lower then the lodge which was at 8200 feet.





This photo was taken through a window at the lodge where you would normally be able to see down to the lake 900 feet below.

On the way to and from the Crater, we stopped twice at Beckies Cafe on US Rte 62. This old and historic little place was a wonderful respite on the way up and again, on the return trip. We had wonderful Chicken and Rice soup and hot tea in the morning, (Sorry Roy Callahan, but Beckies was really good). On the return trip we had a super hamburger, well done fries and the very best totally home made blackberry pie. Beckies is famous for all their home made pies and most people stop by just for the pies. Their most famous pie is Huckleberry Pie but they only have that in August and September when Huckleberries are in season. Yes, Sara Lee, even the crusts are from scratch.
Right up the road from Beckies, is a view of the Rogue River and the moss covered rocks and trees around it. This river was originally much lower then it is now but when the mountain that now houses Crater Lake blew up millions of years ago, it buried the river until the water found new ways though the lava tunnels. It is a lot of water going though a very narrow rock formation. It was pouring rain so I didn't stay around for a lot of photos. Color me whimpy. 8>)




We left Aunt Cleo's on Thursday morning but before we got on the way, we drove 5 miles south of Talent to see Ashland Oregon. Aunt Cleo had lived there for many years and at one time had her own restaurant and made her own pies, from scratch. No store bought crusts (again, sorry Sara Lee) and no canned fillings. We were fortunate to have some of her own home made apple pie.

Now, let me tell you a story about apple pie. I NEVER liked apple pie, I hated it. It was right down there with liver, brussel sprouts and beets. As a kid my mother would make it, or her minced pie with hard sauce, and I couldn't stand it. She thought I was a da---- communist because I didn't like apple pie. I'll tell you though, Aunt Cleo's apple pie is a five star pie. Even Beckies would jump at the chance to serve it. OK, enough about Aunt Cleo's fabulous pie, back to Ashland Oregon. What a wonderful and charming city. Kind of a cross between Asheville NC and Blowing Rock NC. The beautiful scenic backdrops and the wonderful dedication to art and music and the open mindedness of the people. The boutiques, the bistros, the galleries, they could be sister cities.

We arrived Florence after being on Rt 38 from I 5. This was an hour long drive through deep, dark, and beautiful redwood groves and rolling farm country. There were many "Elk Viewing" areas along the way and we did see some elk on U.S. Government preserves. We hopped on US 101 again to Florence then took a side trip into the historic downtown. more fine art and great restaurants with views of the bay and the ocean.


We had a great lunch at "Bridgewater" ocean fresh fish house and Zebra Bar. Peg and I both had delicious oyster sandwiches accompanied with great wine wine. Peg had "Evolution" by Zokol Blosser Wineries. Both served by a nice waitress named Jesmine.



We continued up the coast to Newport in a continuing fog and rain. All was not lost though, we did see more elk in the interior and when we stopped at some vista points on 101 we still had nice things to see, including a bunch of barking, noisy sea lions on the rocks below our viewpoint.





We arrived Newport on a dismal, cold, rainy night. Our room had a great view and internet access but no heat. We were moved to another room, with no internet, plenty of heat and a great view which we appreciated more this morning because it was finally dry.

We would continue up the coast, stopping along the way to visit the Tillamook Cheese Factory (largest in the US and international prize winner for their cheddar cheese)

We then went on to Cannon Beach to view "Haystack" the most photographed spot in Oregon and familiar to those that enjoyed the Osker winning movie "The Goonies." By the way, this is the 25th anniversary of "The Goonies". There will be celebrations, events, and visits by some of the original cast members. Many will visit Astoria Oregon for these festivities from June 4th through June 7th. For all you "Goonie" followers, or Goonie Goonies, check out www.gooniesanniversary.com.







We arrived Seaside Oregon on Friday afternoon. This is near the terminus of the Lewis and Clark Expedition back in 1804-06.


Other then that, Seaside is like a small west coast version of Myrtle Beach SC. Tomorrow we are off to Astoria OR then to Portland to meet and visit with John and Marie Stewart of Hood River Oregon and to see the Columbia River Gorge.

California, Oh! Calyfornia

On Sunday, May 24th, we arrived at our dear friends, Barbara and Mike, in Los Gatos, California. The odometer on my Z now reads 4,239 miles.According to my Garmin GPS, the short route from Hickory NC is about 2500 miles. Good thing Magellan didn't depend on my navigation skills. However, he was on a mission, we are on a leisurely peregrination.

Los Gatos, south of San Francisco, is in the heart of Silicon Valley. It is a wealthy city, or town, filled with Starbucks, art galleries, foo foo dining establishments, boutiques, dog biscuits on every corner, and more hair stylists then you can imagine. Yes, I did find a favorite hair stylist too. Actually, I have known Megan since she was a baby. While Peg and Barbara were out doing the "Zumba", I was taking photos for this blog, a much more practical exercise. Google "Zumba fitness".

The first pic is the Garden Inn at Los Gatos. Four great nights there, the next two are of our friends Barb and Mike with Peg and I, the last is Megan, (Barb's daughter who I have known as a baby and now cuts, or cut, my hair.







Homes are very expensive and I don't think the current economic condition has made any waves in Los Gatos. The automobile dealer right next to our lovely Inn, with its 30 or so cars, probably had a value higher then all the dealers in Hickory put together. Bentley, Bugatti, Maserati, Aston Martin, Ferrari and Lotus were their main features. My good friend Peter, would have drastically thinned his wallet here.



We had a wonderful four day visit with our friends. We had great wine, great food (prepared by Mike one night and myself another night), and were able to meet some of their friends. We all know, when friends of many years get together, their are no secrets, only memories and laughs. We were even able to have breakfast with our good Hickory NC, friends, Pat and Dick, at the Los Gatos Cafe.

It was time for good-byes. Mike and Barbara are moving up to Penn Valley, California and had oodles of preparation before the movers arrive. We left them for Lafayette, CA to visit more family, but not before having lunch in Pleasanton, CA with a former business associate and friend, Sarah H, formerly with Bartlett Grain Company and now with Safeway Stores, in California. She was a great wheat trader, and I'm sure a boon for Safeway.

That evening we had a wonderful dinner at La Finestra's (www.lafinestraristorante.com)in Lafayette with my brother-in-law Bob, and his wonderful bride, Bobbie. "The Bobs". Many years ago Bob introduced me to Vincent Arroyo Vineyard and to Vincent himself. His vineyard is in Calistoga, California and his wine is so popular and appreciated that each year's production is sold out before it is bottled. http://www.vincentarroyo.com/. As a result, you never find his wines in retail stores or restaurants nor do you find it advertised in any wine magazines. He has a zero advertising budget as word of mouth over the years and repeat customers, like myself, insures that his production is sold out. This means, of course, you may have to have dinner at our house to taste his wine.

The Bobs, with Jewell.


Laura giving Peg a taste of their soon to be bottled 2009 Chardonnay.


Tasting wine with Laura, Vincent (blue shirt), and guests.


We left Calistoga on CA 128 north to Cloverdale where we had a great lunch of BBQ ribs at the Hamburger Ranch and Pasta Farm. They even had Carolina BBQ, or what they thought was Carolina BBQ. Andrea, our waitress, didn't talk me out of getting the hole rack and I could barely move afterwords. Believe it or not, we actually had cell reception out there.


The road from Cloverdale to Ft. Bragg, CA (not to be confused with Ft.Bragg NC) is a long, very long road filled with twisties through the mountains to the Pacific Ocean at Mendocino. We had dinner at a neat little restaurant where the Noyo River empties into the Pacific Ocean. Our table looked west under the route 101 bridge and we were able to watch the setting sun. If you are in the area, give "Silver's at The Wharf" a try. Their garlic clams over linguine was very good. (www.silversatthewharf.com)

Thr first four photos are the Mendocino area, including the town.





The view while dining at Silver's at the Wharf, looking under US 101.


Now you all know, I love driving the Tail of the Dragon, Route 28 through Western NC to TN, but route CA128 from Cloverdale to Mendocino is every bit as good a road to challenge your driving skills. Then we drove US 1, from Ft. Bragg to Leggett CA along the shore, through the mountains, and the incredible redwood forests. One thing I have learned, there is more then one, actually, many roads to challenge any sports car driver. From Hickory to northern California we have seen several, and I am sure as we continue you will hear about more. I would rank the route from Ft, Bragg to Leggett CA number one, the Tail of the Dragon as number two, and close to it, route 128 from Cloverdale to Mendocino. Maybe, on my final posting, I can rank my 5 or ten favorites and hear the responses of other drivers.

These four photos barely show the immense size of the giant redwood trees along the coastal forests.





Lunch in Eureka at the Cafe Waterfront, presently housed in a building with an interesting history.





This is a great example of the Victorian homes of the late 19th century. This one owned by a local lumber baron and now on the historical register.



View from our room at the Hampton Inn at Crescent City, California.



I just heard my good friends Bill and Bonnie from Statesville NC are once again seated in BMW Z roadster. Having owned two prior, after they sold their 02 MZ3, a short while ago, they could not stand being Z-less and now own a 2008 Z4 3.0. I wish Wild Bill and Bonnie could join us on this trip somewhere and drive some of these great Blue Highways.

June 1st, will be four weeks on the road. This morning to Oregon and the many beautiful roads, awesome sights, and great people we will encounter. We leave with 4,738 miles on the car.