Even a week later it is difficult to remember all the things that happened - I must do a better job of keeping up!
Of course our first night is emblazoned on our memory - we were so nervous about finding a place, getting set up, and not looking too stupid! Of course, the setting on the Rogue River and the lovely park we chose with all the art work (see pictures), made it even more special. The owner promised to buy the champagne on our return trip a year from now! We may hold him to it!
We discovered we cannot set the alarm at night - Phil got up to go to the poddy, and off it went! Find the glasses, the keys, and figure out how to turn the @#$#%^$ thing off, all the while the alarm is sounding. Won't try that again!
Oregon Caves were interesting. They are the largest Marble Caves in the country. Saw good size stalactites & stalagmites ("g" for ground, they are the ones growing up, "c" for ceiling - I could never remember which was which!) The road up there is not for the faint of heart. Very steep and winding. Our poor rig was really pulling, but it did great. No overheating or any problems.The old Lodge there is worth seeing -- right out of the 40's.
Saw the Blazers lose in the only "sports bar" in Cave Junction - we we're the only ones watching the game - two locals at the bar could have cared less - think they were looking for dates and I didn't qualify.
Headed for the coast - Brookings and Gold Beach - was damp and cool there (what's new!), so decided to go check out Salmon Run Golf Course, where we wanted to play. Drove 3 miles inland, and the weather was beautiful. Not dressed for golf, but ready to seize the moment of good weather, we played in our jeans - have never done that before --can you imagine Phil on the golf course in JEANS???? This golf course is incredible -- every hole is more spectacular than the last. It is a ball eater, but a MUST PLAY, nonetheless. The back nine is recently open -- you can't imagine how they got all the concrete for the cart paths (don't even try it without one) in some of the locations. The wildflowers are beautiful, the wastelands vast, and the wildlife everywhere. Scores not great, but more beautiful, we thought, than Bandon Dunes -- oh heresy!
Have always heard about Tu Tu Tun Lodge in Gold Beach, so decided to go have lunch there. This is a small Lodge of exquisite elegance. Meals are for guests only -- can sometimes have dinner there if not a guest, depending upon availability. We will definitely stay there in the future. A small, intimate version of Salishan or Salish. We spoke with a couple who stayed there, they said the food was out of this world, and the rooms very romantic. On the banks of the Rogue River.
The Redwoods were beautiful. They go on for many miles, in and out of them. This was our only rainy day so far, but most of the way was just driving.
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PHIL'S FLASHBACK
In 1959, I worked for a summer for G-P in Samoa, outside of Eureka, Ca. Pete Houser and I were just punk kids, away from home for the summer, making a few bucks. The "old salts" thought we were amusing, if not crazy. We ate every meal at "the cookhouse" that was privately leased by GP to provide the workers meals. We slept in a bunkhouse with characters that were hiding from every sin known to man.
Pete had told me that the cookhouse still exists, now as "The Samoa Cookhouse". We searched it out, and what a case of deja vu. That entire summer flashed before my eyes. We had lunch where I had sat - although the tables were turned the other way - and the food was still great. You eat what they are serving that day, but all home cooked. $8.45 for lunch that included homemade soup, salad, pork cutlet, 2 vegetables, mashed potatoes & gravy, home baked bread, and strawberry shortcake -- all served family style - all you can eat. We waddled out of there into the rain. I only remember 5 sunny days that whole summer -- the waitress said nothing has changed with the weather.
I really wished my dad were still alive to relive that memory with him...
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Later that same afternoon, we stopped in to The Benbow Inn in Benbow, Ca. Another flashback for Phil, as "the guys" had gone down there to swim and get out of the rain one weekend. This would also be a good choice for a romantic getaway. The grounds are still beautiful and the River close by for swimming. They also have a pool. We stopped in late in the afternoon for a stretch break, and enjoyed a cocktail in their very inviting bar. This is an elegant place. Their bar hors d'eauves that afternoon included roasted vegetables, roasted garlic with baked brie en crote, fresh berries, including the biggest blackberries you have ever seen. Classy.
We have decided that $38 + tax for a motel room is a scary decision. We brought our own pillows and checked the bed for anything live before we got in! Willetts, Ca.
Ahhh, what a beautiful place! Trinadad, Ca. The harbor is quaint, and the scenery all along Patrick Drive is breathtaking. Gas was also $1.91. But we were in need, so bought a little to get us by. Stayed in a great park with a view of the ocean.
No trip to Northern California would be complete without a least 1 day in the Wine Country. Since we had been to Napa in years past, we decided to try the Sonoma Valley. Our plan was to go to the town of Sonoma, but were ready for a break at Healdsburg, and spent the day. Many of our favorite wineries are in this town -- Rodney Strong, Clos bu Bois, and Dry Creek, among others. Lunch from a deli, shopping, and 4 wineries made for a full day on our way to Novato.
Oh, Phil made his first clothing purchase of the trip here, for those of you had bets on how long THAT would take! A pair of Tommy Bahama shorts on sale.
The Novato RV Park had been recommended to us by a couple in Grants Pass (the networking amongst the RV'ers is unbelievable). We weren't impressed at first because of the all gravel and concrete spaces, and the proximity to the freeway. We also had to "level" the Van for the first time. Not as hard as I had thought. BUT, the "amenities" were great. An on site Deli that had every meal covered -- people came from all around the area to get their sandwiches! The best Pot Stickers we have ever had! A windshield washing service, a spotless laundry and shower facilities, a nice pool, good internet access, on site planning for local attractions, and the morning newspaper readily at hand made us agree this was a great value - even at $29.25 a night--Good Sam rate, of course.
Thought we were going to be with several friends in the Bay area over the weekend. Believe it or not, all the plans fell through! So, we looked at each other, and a map, and headed out. Spent a day in "the City" -- very much as we both remembered it. Had a nice respite at the St. Francis during "happy hour" at the Compass Rose Bar. A singer right out of the 40's, complete with suit and hat, singing great tunes. A tip on the cable cars - don't try to go from Fisherman's Wharf to Union Square -- a 1-2 hour wait in prime time -- go from town to the Wharf - you can jump on most anywhere, anytime!!
Since we had already spent some time in the Wine country earlier in the week, thought we'd start out a different direction. Had never been to Bodega Bay - thought we'd check it out. Beautiful headlands with houses slipping into the Ocean -- now I can see why Kitzhaber is so "death" on saving houses on the beach -- you should see the mess on the beaches here -- huge concrete, rock, log, etc. structures trying to hold back the ocean to the total detriment of the beauty of the land -- and, you know, the ocean will probably still prevail.
It was windy, and considerably colder there than the valley, so headed inland again. "let's go a different way" Phil says - so, dutifully, I got the map out and send us North on Hwy 1. Fall into Monte Rio outside of Guerneville. Non touristy, kind of funky, a totally delightful place on the banks of the Russian River. The locals were quick to let us know that there were still a lot of "alternative' folks in the area, especially Gays. The locals were definitely more concerned than we were. Found a small family motel with nice grounds, a nearby golf course, a FABULOUS Restaurant up the road -- we were there for the weekend!!
Unfortunately, we had our first unpleasant experience here (no, it had nothing to do with the "alternative" folks!). We told the motel we were staying a second night, but they forgot to change our key card (a new system for them). They left the motel unattended and without an emergency number (isn't that against the law?) for 4 hours -- and we were locked out of our room. Were we ever mad! It is a good thing we had the van, or I don't know what we would have done. We did manage to fill part of the evening with the local Pig Roast. They called him Elmer Fudd, and he was yummy! A real value for $15 pp and all the Bud Light you could consume--and some folks consumed a lot!
We're off to the U S Open. Look for us on TV!