After finishing up all my teaching stuff, I hit the road. Hopefully this will explain my absence from blogging. Get ready though... I intend to make up for lost time with a nice lengthy post.
Night 1- Joshua Tree National Park
I arrived around 8pm, after leaving Yuma around 5pm. The east side of the Salton Sea was much nicer then the west side that I took last year. Box Canyon Road was my first twisty-turny road that took me right to the southern entrance of Joshua Tree.
I found a campsite, which was not hard. Only one other couple was staying in the Cottonwood Campground. I rolled out my sleeping bag and slept under the stars... no tent needed.
Driving through the park the next morning was great. Lots of jack rabbits and quail, and the goofy looking Joshua trees of course. I headed north through California to Highway 395, the Three Flags Highway. Lone Pine and Bishop were wonderful little towns. I approached Lee Vining and the east entrance to Yosemite. I was in more of a hurry then I needed to be, but I started the climb to the top of Tioga Pass.
Night 2- Tioga Pass and Saddlebag Creek
Camping out at 9500 feet was great... a little chilly... but still nice. I had the rush of the creek to lull me sleep, but not before I did a little exploring. I found a little restaurant at the Tioga Pass Resort and had a nice juicy cheeseburger for dinner, which I was not expecting but was glad to have.
I survived the cold night and woke up to find an empty road through the majority of Yosemite. I wound my way through the park, stopping to take pictures and ending up at the famous Yosemite Valley where I had breakfast and took more pictures. I got out the park in time to see strings of cars driving up to the park; perfect timing!
I also managed to find the windiest road I have ever been on. Highway 49 between Bear Valley and Coulterville was crazy! I got dizzy with all the dips and turns and motorcycles zooming past me. I made it through and went through many little towns that I don't think 99% of Californians have ever heard of.
I ended up in Arnold, CA, where I had lunch and then went right to my next camp spot.
Night 3- Calaveras Big Tree State Park
I got my campsite and headed to the information building. "Where are the big trees?" It was a simple question with a simple answer. "Go out this door, turn left, go this way and you will see the start of the trail"
It was a wonderful evening. Huge trees... I mean huge... families walking around... beautiful weather... it was a wonderful evening. I even got to take a shower!
I woke up early and headed for Murphys, CA and Saint Patricks parish for mass. The priest asked it there were any visitors. I raised my hand and said I was from Montana. After mass I was one of the last out of the church and the priest said somebody wanted to see me. I met Dennis, who was from Montana but now lived in Murphys. He invited me to breakfast with him and the rest of the breakfast crew at Murphys Hotel. Breakfast was great the the people I met were wonderful. I thanked Dennis again and again then hit the road.
I hit the road through central California. Up Napa Valley, were I saw a bunch of limousines... rich people I guess. I had heard from the breakfast group that rain was going to hit the coast. I was racing the weather at this point and made it to my next spot as the rain started falling.
Night 4- Humboldt Redwood State Park
I beat the rain and set up my tent in relative dryness. For the first time I had cell reception at my campsite so I was able to talk to some people and get a good nights sleep with the rain falling around me. I woke up and drove through the Avenue of the Giants... more huge trees! Eureka, CA and a quick breakfast kept me going north and another Redwood State Park. I saw my first Roosevelt elk and saw some beautiful country...then came the rain.
I followed the coast up to some family in Oregon and was rained on the whole time. The coast was beautiful, but the rain and the waves just forced me to want to get to my destination.
Last Night- Palouse Falls State Park
Again, I headed north from Oregon and drove as close as I could to Mt. St. Helens. I found a spot with a great view, but the clouds covered the top of the famous volcano. With snow still making roads impassible, I went back south and found another windy road on the way to Carson, WA. The Columbia River Gorge was my companion for a while until I again turned north to find a great view of Mt. Rainier. The Tri-Cities were my last stop before I found the falls in the middle of know-where.
A cold night and a hurried drive home ended my week of travels. I am very blessed.
Peace all!
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