Hanging a Left: Catalina State Park, AZ 5/26/08

After graduation our plans were always to “hang a left” and head East. Well, the day finally arrived. We pulled out of the Lake Jennings County Park at 10ish and headed on I-8 toward Arizona. We drove thru long stretches of desert, sand dunes and over a couple of mountain passes. Ned and I love to get off the beaten path whenever possible and if we encounter some cheesy tourist attraction all the better. Well lo and behold the town of Felicity, CA. Population 4. It claims the title of “Center of the World.” From our road book: “Local resident Jacques-Andes Istel, author of a children’s fairy tale…convinced France, China and Imperial County that Felicity is, legally and officially, the center of the world. A 25 ft. high pink terrazzo pyramid stands above the exact spot.” The above photo is the mighty Ned literally being not only the center of my world, but the center of THE world. We finally arrived in Arizona, which had miles and miles of Saguaro cacti. Plan A was to camp at Picacho Peak State Park near the Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Farm. It was about 4:00 when we pulled in. We took a quick spin around the campground (we were the only ones there) and decided to stay, if and only if, we could get an Ostrich Burger. There were ostrich feather dusters, ostrich eggs, ostrich beasts and other ostrich by-products but no ostrich to eat. There was a huge monster tractor truck in the parking lot giving tours of Picacho Peak. Needless to say, we opted for Plan B, which was Catalina State Park about 15 miles north of Tucson. Good choice, as we were not disappointed. It’s a beautiful desert campground at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains with roadrunners scurrying all around (beep-beep). The campground is nearly empty, we have water & elec hook-up and the showers are brand new! (Yes!!) Nancy gave us the book “Road Food” (It’s our 2nd Bible, next to “Road Trip USA, Cross-country Adventures on America’s Two-Lane Highways”). We looked for diners, shacks or dive joints in Tucson. Of the 700 restaurants reviewed by the book, we found their favorite Mexican restaurant in the whole USof A – Pico de Gallo. It was about a 30 or 40 minute drive from the campsite, but hey – we traveled this far how do you not try this place out?! It’s a very colorful tacqueria in South Tucscon. The sweet girl behind the counter didn’t speak any English, and I couldn’t really recognize the food, so I ordered by pointing at a photo. I had a bowl of beef soup, Ned had carna asada tacos washed down with horchata, and we split a Pico de Gallo. This is spears of fresh fruit (coconut, pineapple, mango, watermelon & jicama) served in a large red plastic cup sprinkled with a salty chile powder mix & lemon juice. I’ve never eaten anything like it – both the fruit spears and the soup. We walked next door to a Mexican ice cream shop, but we couldn’t understand any of the selections so once again pointed - to a chocolate ice cream bar. It was more like a frozen custard/popsicle dipped in chocolate. Very different. After dinner we drove around Tucson. The University of Arizona is really beautiful and the area around it appeared similar to a typical college town. The adobe homes in this area are stunning and blend in nicely with the landscape. Time to get some shut-eye, tomorrow we are exploring the old west in Arizona.

Chillin' with the Kids: San Diego, CA 5/25/08

Ned and I hung out with Molly, Megan and Josh today, having no specific plans, just letting the day unfold. While Ned and the girls ate breakfast, Josh and I hopped on our bikes, rode over to SDSU and took one last spin around. It was the final completion of the full circle. We reminisced about our college tour in search of the perfect campus during his junior year in high school and where we were when he knew this was the place he wanted to attend. As we rode our bikes, he showed me the various spots he attended classes, studied, hung out, etc. The highlight was when he took me to KPBS and gave me a private tour. I saw the TV sets, the radio studio and, best of all, his cubicle. I was delighted by his enthusiasm and obvious pride in his work and the culture he so much enjoys at the radio station. Here’s keeping our fingers crossed that he lands the internship position as a news reporter this summer. Afterwards, with everyone in tow, Josh thought it appropriate to visit my grandparents’ grave site – befitting Memorial Weekend. The kids never met their great-grandparents, but I have very fond memories of the years my Big Papa lived with us, and the kids have heard these stories for years. He was a superstitious Portuguese (pronounced “port-a-gee”), who entertained my brothers and me with his folklore. Remind me sometime to tell you about burying the potato outside at midnight to get rid of warts… Balboa Park was our next destination. We were watching the lawn bowlers, in their Sunday whites, when one old guy took a fancy to Molly and Megan. Before you knew it the girls were getting a very involved lesson in lawn bowling. It was pretty funny to see these two out on the manicured lawns learning the intricacies and rules of the game. Who knew that the balls weren’t round? We spent the next several hours walking around the park, people watching and munching on leftovers from the party. We made several trips to the airport dropping the girls off, visiting Mission Beach and going out to dinner with Josh. We finally left his place around 10ish giving the kid the peace and quiet he so desperately wanted. Good luck Josh on your interviews this week!!

Graduation: San Diego, CA 5/24/08

Josh and Sara picked up Megan and Molly from the airport the night before and they all spent the night and Josh’s house. The morning of graduation we ran into the kids – at where else? – Windmill Farms, of course! Ned and I were getting the trays of food for the party and the kids were foraging for breakfast. Eventually, Marc & Sean (Josh’s Dad and step-mom), Nana & Popy, the sisters, Josh & Sara and Ned and I all met up at Josh’s house. Aunt Linda was hung-up in a car rental line at the airport. It was a bit like herding kittens getting to the ceremonies, but we finally managed to all sit together! We really had too much fun catching up with each other while passing kettle corn, trail mix, pretzels and other snacks around as we listened to the speeches and over 2000 names being called! (Yes, we were the family doing “the wave” and various Josh & Sara cheers in the stands.) We also kept calling Josh on his cell phone – making sure we were “keeping in touch.” Still, the moment his name was called and he walked across the stage I have to admit that my eyes swelled up and it was an emotional moment… As on cue, when we exited the arena (where it had been raining on and off most of the day), the clouds had parted, the sun was shining and it turned into a perfectly gorgeous afternoon. After lots of picture taking, we all headed back to Josh’s and fired up the barbeque for a fun party in his backyard! Sara’s family joined us and we had a really great time getting to know everyone. There were bio-parents & step-parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles and siblings. We were also celebrating my dad’s 75th birthday and Ned & my 4th anniversary – all happening on the 24th! Sara’s grandmother (a really sweet and adorable woman who we all fell in love with) was celebrating her 93rd birthday on Monday. That evening, when everyone had left, and it was just Ned & I and the kids (Josh, Megan, Molly, Sara & Sara’s sister Katie), Josh thought it would be fun to play a game of poker. For several hours Josh patiently and tactfully taught 5 women how to play Texas Hold’em. I had to admire his perseverance and good nature as the “girls” were not quite doing things in the true competitive spirit of poker. Josh was battling against things like, “I knew I had a good hand, but I didn’t want to bet against my sister” or “what do you mean I not supposed to look at your cards when you folded, I was curious.” When Ned and I finally headed back to the campsite after a very long day, we found a sweet handmade card from Molly wishing us a great trip across the US and celebrating our anniversary. I was also holding Josh’s graduation cap where he wrote me a very touching note. We are truly blessed to have such a beautiful family.

Prep Day: San Diego, 5/23/08

We did in fact have breakfast at the Village Café in Arroyo Grande with Polly and Eric at 6:00 am! It was a good thing we left early because the traffic and weather conditions for this holiday weekend were pretty intense. Traffic thru LA was really heavy and the rain was coming down in torrents. We took a round-about way to get to San Diego and it was a good choice. (Thanks for the tip, Nancy.) Other family members heading down from the Bay Area took much longer in stop and go traffic on Highway 5. We finally met up with Josh in San Diego and headed out to the “much beloved” Windmill Farms, the Josh approved grocery store for the after graduation party. We stocked up on lots of beer, party trays, etc. in preparation for the big day. Coincidentally, we ran into Sara on the shopping spree. The picture is the three of us shopping at Windmill Farms. (When’s the last time any of you have had your picture taken in a grocery store?!) As I write this, Ned and I are tucked in at the campground, nice and cozy in the Winniemobile. It is continuing to rain and we have the front seats turned around and a cup of tea brewing on the stove. We are feeling a bit smug as we are watching our fellow campers attempt to set up their tents in the rain, wearing their yellow slickers. (Don’t worry we’ve paid our dues, been there - done that). We have a nice site overlooking Lake Jennings. We’ll probably do a little reading out loud & maybe a pre-grad pedicure for the graduation festivities. Tomorrow’s the big day!

Driving down the Coast: Arroyo Grande, CA 5/22/08

We were in total vacation mode and slept in this morning. In fact, I think we were still gathered around the breakfast table, chit-chatting away at 11:15. Nice! We finally pulled out of Nancy’s around 12:30 and decided to take Highway 1 and enjoy the coast. Ned’s parents used to live in Pescadero and he thought it would be fun to take a drive through the town. What a great decision! There’s a local restaurant called Duarte’s (pronounced Doo-Arts. I’m sure my Portuguese ancestors are rolling in their grave at that pronunciation!). Ned’s family has eaten there for years and we recently saw it on the show “Diner, Drive-Ins and Dives” so we decided to stop in for lunch. (Yes, day two and we are already eating our way through the US). I had a bowl of the best ever artichoke soup, Ned had a crab-melt and we split a piece of Ollalieberry pie, a-la-mode, of course;-) We also visited the Russell Administrative Building named after Ned’s parents, Oak and Marion Russell. It was so sweet to see their picture and plaque in the lobby. After hearing all these wonderful stories about his parents and how much they gave back to the community, it brought tears to my eyes to see how much they are still honored. We also drove by their old house, an amazing place that sits high up on Bean Hollow Road surrounded by artichoke farms, with a great view of the Pacific Ocean. We continued down the coast highway cutting over to Salinas and then headed down to Arroyo Grande. We pulled in at Polly & Eric’s place around 6ish. Eric built a huge deck, about 2000 square feet, that overlooks the valley towards Lake Lopez. (Hey, Patti I’m sure we can see your brother’s place!). The above photo is taken from the back deck. It was great to catch-up with Eric and Polly. Turns out that they will also be doing a road trip, heading to Chicago, and we might be in Zion about the same time. So, if the stars align right we might hook up in Zion – imagine that?! Eric and Polly are early risers and are planning on breakfast at the Village Café at 6:00 am!!! Looks like I’ll be getting up a titch earlier manana. We plan on heading towards San Diego early anticipating the roads packed with the holiday traffic. I’ll let you know tomorrow if I managed to actually be up and functioning. p.s. Tonight is the last night with a “house shower.” Starting tomorrow it’s only campground showers. Eric and Polly were forewarned to expect me to be in the bathroom for a good hour soaking up the last of luxurious civilities.

And So It Begins, Pacifica, CA 5/21/08

I can’t think of a better way to start our road trip than staying at Nancy and Jerry’s place in Pacifica. We always have such a great time with them and their place, right on the beach, is just so relaxing. The above picture is taken from the dining room. I can spend hours and hours just “vegging out” and watching the sea & surf. Today the winds were really blustery and the surf was quite spectacular. Nancy, Ned and I poked around a local bookstore in Pacifica. (We have a Spanish-English pocket dictionary, but not a French-English one. We thought it might come in handy in Louisiana. We get a kick out of reading road signs, etc. and trying to figure out what the English translation is). We also walked around the local Coastside Farmer’s market. We came back with artichokes, lettuce & spinach grown in Half Moon Bay and some roasted chicken from a vendor at the market. Needless to say, dinner was delish! As we sit here drinking café mochas looking out at the Pacific Ocean, it’s hard to believe that in 2-3 weeks we will be camping at the Atlantic Ocean. We have been planning this trip for so long (okay, maybe one of us has become a tiny, little bit more obsessive-compulsive), that I can’t wait to start exploring. For me, the best adventures are the undiscovered and the unknown. As we embark on this southern road trip, the promises I made to myself are that I will live only in the present, taste every regional dish, listen to local music and ride our bikes every chance we get.

Stats on Oregon Trip 7/6/07 - 7/18/07

Several people have asked me for a map of our route. As luck would have it, I mapped out our trip, including mileage, as we went along. (Why oh why does this not surprise anyone?). So, above is the actual Oregon route. I also have the map of our California route too in case anyone wants that too...So, to recap, here are the stats: Total mileage: 2462 Camp grounds: Mount Lassen 7/6 & 7/7 147 miles Tingley Lake Estates - Klamath Falls 7/8 mileage: 458 (311/day) Harris Beach State Park , South Coast 7/9 mileage: 671 (213/day) Sunset Bay State Park, South Coast 7/10 mileage: 821 (150/day) Beverly Beach State Park, Central Coast 7/11 mileage: 992 (171/day) Fort Stevens State Park, North Coast - 7/12 mileage: 1123 (131/day) Viento State Park - Columbia Gorge - 7/13 mileage: 1356 (233/day) Toll Bridge CP - Hood River Valley - 7/14 mileage: 1509 (153/day) Silver Falls SP - Willamette Valley - 7/15 mileage: 1632 (123/day) Horseshoe Bend FS, N. Umpqua River - 7/16 mileage: 1866 (234/day) Emigrant Reservoir RV Park, Ashland - 7/17 mileage: 2055 (199/day) Butte Creek Forest Service - 7/18 (aborted) mileage: 2462 (407/day)