California to Oregon

I’m in Medford, OR tonight.  Today was less “UN” eventful than yesterday.  Decided against visiting the Shasta Caverns.  They are just a short way out of Redding and by the time I got on the road I didn’t want to stop again so soon.  Decided that there are lots of things I’d like to see in this area and AFTER I complete my 50-state kayaking adventure, I’ll return here to see these things:

Shasta Caverns, and Shasta Lake

Mount Shasta

Castle Crags

Travel on Historic Rt. 99

Visit the Railroad Park

I think I’ll store my trailer in Redding… and then make loops around. I’d also like to see Crater Lake but didn’t want to make a 150 mile detour to do so this week and sight-seeing just isn’t a lot of fun with a trailer in tow. My son Chris and his wife Jenelle hiked through there on the Pacific Crest Trail before they were married.  Besides, I’m too eager to see granddaughter, Zoey and her baby brother, Will in Wenatchee, WA (children of Chris and Jenelle).

This afternoon, my sister phoned and left a frustrating-sounding message hollering at me to pick up the phone.  I think it was in the car and I was not.  She had chemo today and was complaining how bad she felt.  She feels so alone… and with me in CA/OR/WA… and her in FL, I’m not much help.  So, I suddenly got the urge to do something in support of her and hopefully cheer her up.  I then spent the next couple hours trying to find someone to help me carry out my plan.

 

Yreka, CA

Finally, I found someone. Her name is Cassie Amdur-Willis at Total Image in Yreka CA.  Told her I needed a sympathetic hair cut in support of my sister’s battle against cancer. 

Me (before)

My sister (before)

My sister (after)

Me (after)

WELL, I guess we look like sisters, now!

Me (after) and Cassie  (Thanks Cassie for working me into your busy schedule.)

My sister is very sad about loosing her long silvery locks… and thinks she looks awful without hair.  So, now she isn’t alone.  I love my sister… better nobody ever doubt that.

On The Road Again - Dinner

If you haven’t lost your appetite from the above photos, I’ll tell you about dinner next. I have a nice dinner planned tonight.  Roasted corn on the cob in my RoadPro stove… the stove cooks, I drive.  What a partnership!

My RoadPro Oven and corn, butter and foil…

 

Shuck the corn…

Slather it with butter…

Wrap it up, add a little water to the RoadPro Stove… and drive.

…and just ate that.  Very tasty.

Next I’ll finish a Cobb Salad I got for dinner last night… enough for two meals. 

Tomorrow, pushing on toward Portland, OR hoping to see a friend there.  May detour over to the coast and see another friend and take a horseback ride on the beach… something I’ve always wanted to do.  Will have to wear sunscreen on my head and a hat to boot. 

This weekend I’m planning on catching up with my granddaughter Tori in Westport, WA… where she is performing in a Pirate Festival.

My son, Richard, his daughter, Tori, and Rich’s wife Rhonda.  Rhonda’s photos.  Tori graduated high school this month and is heading off to college.

Are we having fun yet?

Redding, CA

A fairly uneventful day.  I stayed in Los Banos, CA last night… and drove up I-5 to Redding, CA today.  I stopped before dark at the Win-River Casino because I was beginning to have shoulder and neck spasms.  Guess I’m pushing my shoulder surgery recovery a little too much.

These California hills remind me of the sand dunes in Southern California.  I like having the trailer in the rear mirror.  Yesterday I stopped at the San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area.  Looks like this would be good paddling.  The exhibit was a little boring except for this one…  an old-timey van-dweller?

I-5 is rather boring to me.. but am happy to finally be heading north again.  And when you begin approaching Redding, suddenly snow-capped mountains appear on the horizon… and I was thrilled with that.

I pulled off the highway and crossed a river and went down to a picnic/boating area.  Thought I’d walk along the river, and stretch my legs but it seemed to be a local redneck hangout, blaring loud music and even making passes at me, probably old enough to be their mother.  So, not a relaxing place for me and I drove on.  

Tomorrow I’m going to check local Redding CA stores, a framing store in particular, to see if I can find the Plexiglas for my US map and stickers.

I and a bit sore from the driving… the shoulder/arm, that is.  Guess I’m working the muscles a bit too much to fast, but I got to go kiss a baby.

It was 90 degrees in Redding today and suppose to be 95 tomorrow… so I’m heading up the mountains as soon as I can.  Plan to stop and see Shasta Caverns… which I always just drive past.  It is located on the McCloud Arm, northeast from Holiday Harbor marina on the east side of the arm. Houseboats stake up to the shore line, small boats and other watercraft may park on the provided courtesy dock. Tickets may be purchased from the small gift store located along the shoreline. Tickets may also be purchased over the phone by using your credit card.  Cost is $22.00 which includes a boat, bus and guided tour of the caverns.

On-The-Road-Again

June 20, 2010

I left Monterey CA yesterday after having breakfast with my friend, Betsy, at Sweet Elena’s.  Anyone visiting Monterey, CA should try and find this place.  Really great food, especially the pastries.

Then I drove to Camping World between Gilroy and San Martin, CA.  There I found the map I’ve been looking for… that I will mount on plexiglass and then put on the inside of one side door.  There are little state stickers that I will put on the map for each state I kayak.  I was tired from not sleeping well my last night in Monterey, so I spend the rest of the day in the Camping World lot… and even slept through most of the night.

I am writing this from San Luis Recreation Area/Reservoir where I stopped to replace the fuse for my trailer lights (again) but am unable to find my wiring/fuse kit I so carefully put together.  It is not in the space I allotted for it… so I’m going to drive on in to Los Banos Ca and try to find fuses.  There I also hope to catch up with Betsy’s granddaughter, Deanna, who is in the area training horses.  She is a budding young horse whisperer just starting up her own business, Natural Horsemanship.  I’ve known her since she was a baby, and in fact knew her mother Elle when she was only 6 years old.  Hope to take Deanna to dinner when she is done with the horses.  Then find a quiet place for another night’s sleep…. quietly.

Last thing I did in Monterey was to track down my favorite motley geese.  A Canadian Goose crossed with a white domestic goose and they had five gosslings.  I’ve been watching them grow and they are now as large as their parents.  Below is a picture of the five, the domestic goose parent is in the upper right corner.  Four of the babies are off white in color and the fifth looks like a washed out faded Canadian Goose.  They are much tamer then Canadian geese… their domestic parent’s genes are coming through.  Wonder if they will fly off when the Canadian geese do???

O.K. I’m on the road again in search of a grandson.

 

Darling Zoey seeing her baby brother, Will, for the first time.  O.K. it’s my turn.

My 50-state kayaking and camping adventure.

Starting in June 2009 I began a 50-state adventure with the idea of kayaking/camping in all 50-states. My van is now outfitted with a mobile computer lab and solar panel, t.v. antenna, and kayak rack. It has all the comforts of home. I needed a new goal in life... one bigger than myself... and this tour is what I came up with. I will be updating the map below... for those of you who wish to track my travels.

FIRST STATE PADDLED... I became a volunteer for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary... learned to kayak here in the Monterey Bay and love it. So, that makes California my first state. More photos will be posts and can also be found on my Facebook... http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/album.php?aid=2009592&id=1573053507 .

SECOND STATE PADDLED... I made a "shake-down" trip to AZ and TX... to get my van ready, install Solar, etc. Stopped in AZ to visit a friend from High School and also to kayak with another friend at Watson Lake in Prescott, AZ. See photos on my Facebook... http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2009592&id=1573053507&saved

Departing Monterey Bay first week of July 2009, to begin working on states 3-50. Last two states will be Alaska and Hawaii. I'll drive to Alaska. I'll fly to Hawaii and rent a kayak... that will be the last state. Then maybe I'll settle down.... ahhhh NOT! People ask how long my adventure will last... and I just reply "Don't know!" "Don't care!" "However long it takes."

I hope people will follow along with me in the adventure.