We left Seattle and for the first time changed our plans and took another route to our destination, Yachats on the Oregon coast. Instead of driving south past Portland and then heading west to the coast, we drove to Astoria, the northern tip of the Oregon coast and followed the coastline all the way down to our destination. Our expectations were high as the Oregon coast is highly regarded for its beauty, something like the Antrim Coast Road in N Ireland. Well, it was like a summer's day in N.I. - dull, damp and dismal. Unfortunately the "summer fog" had rolled in and apart from some short breaks of sunshine, it was just twists and turns amidst a slowly moving cavalcade of cars. However, after a long day we reached our destination to find a rather delightful beach-house waiting for us. The following day our fortunes did not change for we went to see some caves which sea-lions inhabit, but they had moved out for other venues. Undetered, we went looking for agates along the beach. It is said that one picture is worth a thousand words, so let the following speak volumes.
While we could not see the ocean we could hear it and the only way to find the way back
to the car was to keep the sound of the ocean behind us!
When the sun eventually broke through we went to look at one of Oregon's covered bridges.
Christine gets ready to drive through the covered bridge; the first time she had driven in the USA.
No problems. But I quickly got out of the way!
From Yachats we motored down the rest of the Oregon coast and reached our next port of call, Eureka, in northern California. The following morning (Saturday August 10th) we took a few minutes to look at some fine old buildings before travelling on to Santa Rosa.
Between Eureka and Santa Rosa we passed through part of the coastal Redwood forest.
This is regarded as the "Immortal Tree" and stands taller than all the others. The following information may help:
Then a little way along the road we came to the "Eternal Tree House". For those who know their Bible, I don't think this is what John is referring to in John 14: 2.
Christine inside the Eternal Tree House.
Just to try and give you an idea of the size of these Redwoods here are Christine and Pauline
in front of one that has fallen down exposing its trunk and root system.
This may help you to see something of their length and breadth.
This is not "Where's Wally" but where are Christine and Brian?
After something of a rather fast drive from the Redwoods, we reached the Safari West Wildlife Preserve just outside Santa Rosa where we had booked a 4pm Safari Park Tour. We arrived just in time to settle into our accommodation, one of their "Luxury Tents" nestled in the Park, just before the Tour. The "Tent" is supposed to give you a taste of a real Safari.
Not really a Tent, but the sides were canvas.
Inside. Two double beds with an ensuite through the door
It doesn't take us long to mess up a room with all our bags and cases. This is from inside looking at the front door. There are no windows so you just pull down canvas awnings to give some privacy, as you can see. Each bed has a wooden bedhead as pictured. Pauline and I slept quite well but the sound of the animals kept Christine awake through the night-even though she had spent some early years in the Congo! What animals?
That evening, following our tour,we met up with an old friend, Mark Hewitt and his wife Linda and son, Forrest. We met Mark when he visited Australia some years ago and I (Brian) stayed in his home some years ago, when he was pastoring a Church in Michigan. It was lovely to catch up with him again and meet his family.
From Santa Rosa we headed down the road to:
Yes, San Francisco. Here we did all the touristy things as you would expect from riding the Trolley Car, to walking Lombard St, to Fisherman's Wharf, to visiting Alcatraz. Take a peak.
Hanging on for grim death. It's quite an experience.
We threw all the other passengers off!
Fisherman's wharf. Overrated. Pier 39 is much better.
Lombard Street. The crookedest street in the world.
Then it was to the home of the worst crooks in the USA, Alcatraz.
From San Francisco we drove towards Yosemite National Park. Our accommodation this time was in the town of Coulterville just near the Park. Coulterville is regarded as the 4th most authentic Western Town in the USA and our hotel is noted for its ghosts! Hotel Jeffery is an old fashioned hotel, for our bathroom was down the hall from the bedroom. It also contains the oldest working saloon in the USA. It was unique and at the same time, great fun and a great place to stay. We were there for two nights but didn't see any ghosts. However, our door handle kept falling off as did the keys from the key chain!!
Our bedroom was on my right while the bathroom was behind the
white door at the end of the hallway.
If you look closely you may see a member of our party indulging in the saloon!
A couple of swingers, doors, that is.
After our first night at the hotel we drove into Yosemite. It is simply stunning. Space here will not do it justice.
Yes, there is even a little church in the wild woods!
The next day we said farewell to Coulterville and headed for King's Canyon and the Sequoia National Park. Once again we had marvellous views and interesting things to see. Sadly my battery died and so you will have to wait for Christine's super pics and those of Pauline. After a good recharge I was all set for the following day as we made our way to our final stop, LA. But not before going through the Red Rock Canyon, a place not that far from Death Valley.
From Red Rock Canyon we eventually found ourselves caught up in Friday night traffic in LA. However, with our trusty GPS we managed to locate our apartment with a minimum of panic.
Since then we have seen some of the "sights" along Hollywood Blv; taken a Bus Tour of LA's Celebrity homes and its local beaches, ie. Venice Beach and Santa Monica Pier. We even took the car out and drove down Sunset Blv the other night!
As I write this blog, we only have 24 hours before our return flight to Melbourne. It has been a wonderful trip. We have seen such amazing scenery and met some great people. Christine has done a super job as navigator for 90 percent of the journey and Pauline has kept us well fed, making sandwiches in the back of the car, saving us time and money. The Lord has watched over us keeping us healthy and safe as we have driven more than 7,500 miles.
I hope some of what we have shared has kept you informed and been a joy to you. To family and friends who have been following our Wild West Tour, we say "Thank You" and in those famous words of that great cowboy, Roy Rogers, "Happy trails to you till we meet again".
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