Oregon and California Part I


We’re still having fun together

We went to Multnomah Falls at the Columbia River Gorge in northern Oregon.  In 2019 we traveled here and the parking lot was full so we couldn’t get in.  This time we did and walked up to the mid-point bridge.  The falls are impressive and very tall and the chocolate cookie was huge!

As we headed south Mount Hood could be seen for miles and miles in the distance.

We went a bit south and east to visit Petey and Chad in Lake Simtustus, OR.  I was not a fan of the very curvy and steep road down to the lake.  Many such roads were to be in our future.  I was glad Steve was driving and he did a great job.

In Weed, CA (nice name!) we could see Mount Shasta.

In Marin County, just north of San Francisco, we visited our friends Karen and Randy who live in Berkeley.  Karen and I have known each other since age 5!  They took us on a beautiful hike around a lake on Mount Tam and the next day showed us a fairyland redwood forest not far from our campground. When we returned Steve and Randy had fun jamming on their guitars.

Then we headed inland to Yosemite National Park.  As we left the coast we also left behind the cool air.  The interior was 15-20 degrees hotter.  Luckily when we were in the park the huge granite cliffs kept the sun in some shadows.  Yosemite Valley is impressive, open and huge but unfortunately for me the road getting there had steep curves and precipices.  I was holding on tight! 

We saw El Capitan and Half Dome from a distance.

We took a pen and ink outdoor drawing class at the Nature Center.  There were five people in our class and the instructor was positive and knowledgeable.  We started in the classroom where he taught us techniques to use when we went out to draw.  For three hours we sat alongside a rocky stream and a big stone bridge.  It was relaxing and productive.   

We even got to ride our tandem in the park.

Next we traveled a circuitous route to see the giant sequoias in Kings Canyon.  The highlight of the park is the General Grant tree approximately 2,000 years old and the second largest giant sequoia tree in the world.

We decided to head back over the the coast for some cooler weather west of the mountains.  Our Yosemite drawing teacher told me about beautiful Morro Bay so we had a destination.  Boy, was he ever right!  I feel like this is our beach vacation weekend.  It’s sunny and cool.  The campground is small and sweet.  The seagulls and pelicans are abundant.  Morro Rock is accessible just beyond the road and is huge!  We walked among the boulders and found an area with hundreds of inukshuk.  These structures of piled up rough stones were traditionally used by Inuit people as a landmark and local people (and I) created many. 

There are otters cavorting in the inlet. 

Yesterday we sat outside for lunch and enjoyed a nearby band playing our kind of music.  So glad to be here that we’re even spending an extra day.

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21 responses to “Oregon and California Part I”

  1. This has been a wonderful part of your trip!! Any idea what plant/tree your last picture is?
    I just want to hug that ole General. What a nice guy, I’m so glad they take good care of him.
    Liked your drawings. I didn’t know Steve was an artist also. Nice.

    • I wanted to hug the tree too. But there was a fence all around it and warnings not to cross the line.
      I don’t know what kind of tree that is in the photo. And lots of other trees and flowers I’ve never seen before. Wish I could Identify them.
      Yep, Steve can draw too!

  2. Debi, I too have had white knuckle experiences on those steep, curvy roads. More than one person has suggested that I might be more comfortable if I were driving rather than in the passenger seat. I may give it a try on our next mountain road trip.
    We also enjoyed Yosemite 50 years ago when we visited, but King’s Canyon was our favorite CA park. Your photos are great! Keep having fun!😃

    • If I was in the driver’s seat we would only crawl up at an unacceptable rate. I don’t wanna do that! Surprisingly it’s a little easier if I look down into the valleys than watch the road. But that’s hard to allow myself to do.

  3. I was surprised to see that the inukshuk structures were stable despite the substantial breeze that we were experiencing. There were literally hundreds, some more impressive than others. Probably at least an acre. Photos couldn’t capture the multitudes.

  4. Great pictures! My daughter and her family camped at Morro Bay a few weeks ago. They had fun in the tide pools.We were there several years ago and also liked it! There ‘s so much to experience here. You have to come back!!

  5. Hi Deb, great trip! Glad you made it back to the warmer weather. All your pictures look amazing. Enjoy!

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