Two Sister's on a Road Trip

Two Sisters went on a Road Trip over summer break.
They saw and did many new things and so many new memories they did make.

They saw things like old rail cars, 
and seals and sea lions, seen from afar.
They played amongst  1000 year old trees then went and felt the ocean's sweet breeze

Some days they did fight
in the morning and night
But on other days they played like friends who were close and tight.

They took off on their own at the campsite at Sunset Beach
Going further than ever out of their parent's reach. 

They made scavenger hunts for their parents to follow. 

They took hikes on beaches, to a lighthouse and to the top of a waterfall.

Sometimes they fussed and needed some coaxing. Sometimes they needed no persuading at all.

When the morning of their dad's birthday came they woke him with gifts and later that night they all shared his cake. 
And a few days later they tried paddling boarding on a lake. 

They fought, they loved, 
they laughed and cried.
Both mostly they were always side by side.

Amara
Havana
Two Small Gems
Two Sisters
Pals to the end.

   

Oregon Coast

In the seventeen years I have lived in California, I have long heard about the remote, rugged coastlines that lies north of the state border. It wasn't until last year however, that I felt the calling to go and see the Pacific Ocean in the North. Thankfully, my adventurous family was up for a road trip that would allow us to touch, explore, experience a place that we discovered felt welcomingly remote, ruggedly beautiful and full of surprises. Some days were foggy, other days sunny. Both brought deep breaths of awe at a coastline that is unique and inspiring.

For close to 300 miles, from Brookings to Tillamook (were were veered East) we drove, stopping randomly at beaches, beach towns and eateries, all the while having the sense that we were witnessing sea/landscape that welcomed the hearty and the confident. For many of the small towns were far and few between and many of the conveniences of modern civilization, like box stores and cell phone service lay somewhere east, over mountains and valleys.

As we drove North, I could feel the energy of those who first settled the land that met the ocean. I found myself a bit envious of life that while strenuous, was aligned with the natural world. I also couldn't help but wonder what it was like for the first Europeans to cross a harsh and challenging continent, ending in the vast Pacific Ocean. It felt to me that one would think they reached the end of the world; happy and content but with reality long settled in, that life along the Oregon Coast was not for the faint but for those who could appreciate all that encompassed the far removed place.
During our many stops, we found shells, jellyfish, crab, stones and a few human friends. The sea and rock seemed so much darker than what this East Coast native was used to on the Atlantic Ocean, some 3000 miles east.  And I fell in love; with all it.

Elkland

North or Eureka, Ca, there lives a heard of wild Elk that like to make it's way up and down the coast grazing and exploring. Last year, on our return from Yellowstone, we saw them resting in a field (http://twosmallgems.blogspot.com/2016/09/elk-crossing.html). This year, we were surprised they were not hanging out as the day seemed to hot for such large creatures to be roaming about. I was wrong! I just hoped we would grace some of the exquisite mammals  as we continued North.

It seems that I/we have good animal karma because like on other trips (like to Southeast Nepal or East Africa), the animals show up but usually one at time. We took a detour down a long, windy and dusty 6 mile road through surreal old growth Redwoods  to Gold Beach for some sand and sun time. Just after we parked and headed towards the beach, we came upon one lone elk just off the path!  Of course, I had to do my usually greetings (the animals do feel energy and i know they like hellos and knowing i respect them and their space!) so "Hello Big Elk!" it was!

After our time at the beach, we got back in the car to continue on towards our destination in Redwood City. We didn't get far! As soon as we turned left onto 101 N, we had a roadblock!

Which led us to look around and discover the entire heard moving into a field for dinner time! Of course, I had to ask Don to stop (Don does not like to stop but this was a special occasion!) but we got to see some young Elk along with their parents/elders. It was moving and just beautiful. I knew in that moment, that we were going to have a very good road trip!

Tall Trees & Cool Waters

Our friend Doug, whom we spent a most enjoyable visit with. He graced us with amazing meals and a safe, cozy place in which to rest our heads for two nights. And he showed up places we would otherwise not have seen.

An almost 3 mile hike through thick Redwood, way up near the California/Oregon border.

A crisp, cool Smith River with hazy skies from nearby fires.

Things that make cherished summer memories that will last a lifetime.

Bound to Cover Just a Little More Ground (RoadTrip 2017)

Last summer, our family had such a such a good time on our road trip to Yellowstone, that this summer we packed up our stuff and hit the road again. From our house in Pinole, we made it all the way up to Crescent City then further North up the Oregon Coast, where we got to explore and play on some spectacular remote beaches. Our final beach was Cape Lookout where we headed East to Tillamook, then further East to the breathtaking, majestic Columbia Gorge. After a few days of adventures there we then  headed south to Grants Pass, Chico and finally at family north of Sac.

I will detail more specifically certain aspects of our adventures but for now, this is just an overview of some of our stops. Many were unplanned, "Ooo that looks fun, let's stop" stops, where we encountered new, novel and inspiring sites, like the 1800 year old Redwood (who knows it's age for sure).  Other stops, like where we would rest our head for the night, were planned but we had equal awesome experiences.

It was such a gift to be mostly off grid, off schedules and present with whatever the moment presented itself with. There was something that felt liberating actually, to be able to just get up each day, with very few possessions and explore, meet fellow travelers, and to rest our heads amongst trees and fresh air. There were also challenging moments that gave way to opportunities to self-reflect and self-correct during the moments when traveling together caused tensions and frictions.

It's a privileged life we have, I know that. I could never forget that nor take it for granted and I am most grateful that this summer we were able to cover just a little more ground.