Oklahoma

We made a trip to Tuttle, Oklahoma, five hours away, a 3 day trip. We first got off route to travel along highway 88 and took the back roads among beautiful pastoral land and old farms. We stopped in Pine Ridge, Arkansas at the Jot 'Em Down Store made famous by Lum and Abner, local boys from Mena, who were so popular on radio in the 1930s.

Then when we arrived in Mena we stopped to check out the campground at Queen Wilhelmina State Park, but decided we would keep traveling west. We went into the lodge for a cup of coffee and a little desert not knowing about the desert buffet!!! From there we took the Talimena scenic drive across Rich Mountain. It is a designated as a scenic byway. We were surprised to find that some of the trees had already begun to show their fall colors.

Once we were in Oklahoma we changed our plans again and connected with I 40 to stop in Okemah for a little Oklahoma family history research. The Franks had moved from Arkansas to Oklahoma in the early part of the 20th century. We spent the night at a restaurant alongside I40. It would have been a great choice had the noisy 18 wheeler not parked right beside us.

After visiting the cemetery the next morning we drove into Oklahoma City. We planned to stop at Bass Pro but instead found ourselves at the health department gathering death certificates for the Bowcocks. Then we had two more cemeteries to visit as well as old neighborhoods. We were in a revitalized area of OKC known as Bricktown, also the area where the family had lived and worked. One family member worked at the Oklahoma Paper Company which was replaced by this ball stadium.

We also spent a few hours in the fabulous new Oklahoma History Center before driving south to Tuttle. We had a great visit with Josh and Kala and spent the night at their place. We drove back into Oklahoma City for dinner and where did they want to eat? Bricktown!

The next day we drove home, making a few stops in both Oklahoma City and Okemah which left no time to do research in Sallisaw. But that is only 3 hours away. We should be able to make that only a 2 day trip!

Mtn. View, AR

We have recently become excited about Leon's family history and have learned he is partly a hillbilly from the Ozarks, which we think is a good thing! His grandmother was born in Timbo, Arkansas, the 3rd generation of the Franks family to live there. So off to the Ozarks we went to meet three of his 3rd cousins, to share photos and stories, learn more about the family, and to wander the backroads of Stone County. The photo is on the front porch of a Ramsey relative's old house in Flag. Pictured are A.J., Carolyn, Leon, and Wendell. We camped at the Coast to Coast campground, Holiday Mountain Resort, alongside Sylamore Creek for 4 nights.

The annual beanfest was taking place during the weekend. Large crowds gather around the courthouse square to listen to music or join in if you are musically talented. We listened! While the music plays, pots of beans are simmering nearby. Everyone is offered free beans and cornbread and the lines are long! The annual beanfest is no longer a well-kept local secret.

After the beans are served the outhouse races take place one block away! Many entries vie for first place in the one block long race. Some are more serious than others obviously. There are many more photos.

We learned from the announcer during the race that to the locals if you are not from Mt. View then you are from "off." After the races we visited the historical society and museum and conversed with some of the women working there. One volunteered, "I did not grow up in Mt. View. I am from Off." So now we at least know where we are from!

Ridin' in the Rockies

We spent a fabulous week with our friends, Greg and Elaine in Cortez, Colorado. They thought it was hot but we were delighted with highs in the low 90s and lows in the upper 40s. They took us to lots of tourist sites including the Crow Canyon Archeological Center, Dove Creek where the famous Anasazi beans are packaged, the Methodist Thrift shop, and the Indian Pow Wow (photos) at the Ute Mountain Casino. There were many dancers in fine native dress and plenty of vendors and Indian Fry Bread to make a fine day. But no Indian taco could match Greg and Elaine's cooking!
Our favorite excursions were those we spent riding our quads in the San Juan Mountains. Our first ride was Willow Divide (photos). The temperatures at 10,000 feet were even chilly. On the Roaring Forks (photos) ride we were delighted to see Elk in the forest as we rode among the spruce, firs and aspens. We were pleased that Cecil and Linda accompanied us in the forest.
We finally headed east and after two days and 1100 miles we arrived back at the dead end where everything appears to be dead due to the dry, hot August weather. But those that stayed home and watered didn't seem to fair much better.

Moab, Ut

The Smothers Brothers were great; just like in the 60s but very gray. We left Tahoe with new tires and a new battery. In Carson City we turned the heater off - a chilly morning in the low 40s. We drove across Nevada and spent the night in Delta, Utah. An early start led us to Moab by noon.
We seized the opportunity to drive out to a couple of viewpoints in Canyonlands National Park. The views of the canyons from atop the large mesa are amazing. My favorite is the view from Mesa Arch.
Then we drove down the road and visited Arches National Park. We passed Balanced Rock and viewed some of the arches but due to the warm temperatures we did not make any hikes. More photos.
From here we drove on to Cortez, Colorado to visit our friends.

So. Lake Tahoe, Ca

The temperatures and ambiance of south shore Tahoe seemed to call us back so we returned to large weekend crowds and plenty of traffic. We settled into a fine spot at Fallen Leaf campground where we parked amid pines, cedars, manzanita, stellar jays, and ground squirrels. We spent a couple of days exploring the area on the western side of the lake doing some biking, hiking, and geocaching. We even found time for a couple of yard sales and people keep asking why we have snow skis on the back of the van. I think they will be nice out in the yard. I didn't expect them to be a conversation piece so soon.

Then we managed to obtain a spot in the Nevada Beach campground just across the Nevada border for four days. At night we listen to owls and coyotes and yet we are one mile from the hustle and bustle of Stateside, Nv. While back in Tahoe we of course have revisited the buffet but have spent more time just relaxing. After all when we leave here we expect to drive more than 60 miles in a day. We are camped on the south shore and have a beautiful view of the sun setting across the lake. I guess it is time for the sun to set on our visit to California also. We will laugh at the Smothers Brothers at Harrah's on the 17th and then cross Nevada the next day. More photos.

Gold Country, CA

From Tahoe we took the scenic 50 mile route through the Sierra Nevada mountains on Highway 50 to Leon's old stomping grounds, Pollock Pines, Ca. Highway 50 was first opened in 1852 and was the Pony Express route in 1860. We settled in at Ghost Mountain Ranch, an rv park in need of a little spiffing up.
We spent a delightful day exploring Coloma, (photos) an historical state park, where gold was discovered by James Marshall in 1848. Marshall and John Sutter were building a sawmill when the gold flakes were discovered in the south fork of the American River. It became a sizable town of 10,000 during the gold rush that followed before the town was mined out and many of the old landmarks still exist.

Placerville is another old gold town, 10 miles from Coloma, named after the placer gold found in the streams. It is in the center of the Gold Country. It served as a supply town for the surrounding gold towns during the heyday. We toured old "Hangtown," as Placerville was also called for the people that died by the rope. (Photos) There are many other gold towns along highway 49 that we would like to visit but we are not well adjusted to these August temperatures in the low 80s, (VBG) and most of the towns are along very slow winding roads.


After a visit to the Boeger Winery to pick up a bottle of wine, the day ended with a delightful visit and dinner with Inge and Don, Leon's former neighbors. Of course we had to sample a few wines to know which to buy. I especially enjoyed seeing Inge's creativity displayed throughout the house and yard. We could hardly see Leon's former home across the steet for the many pine trees growing tall on the front slope.

The hillside between Placerville and Pollock Pines is known as Apple Hill and there are numerous fruit orchards, berry farms, Christmas tree farms, and vineyards covering the hillside. Their busy time is October due to the apple harvest but we enjoyed roaming on a warm summer afternoon before meeting Bud and Sandy for dinner. It is a little warm in Pollock Pines, perhaps mid 80s, so we think we will head back over to south shore Tahoe.

S. Lake Tahoe, Ca

What a fun place! The south shore of Lake Tahoe is brimming with people and we are proud to be among them. We took a most scenic route over the mountains coming into town from the south. We have set up housekeeping at Montbleu in the casino row that is only a couple of blocks long. We wasted no time taking a thrilling 2 1/2 mile ride on the Heavenly Valley Ski Resort gondola to over 9,000 feet with a breathtaking view of Lake Tahoe, Carson Valley, and Desolation Wilderness. We studied the map of ski trails and then finished a little shopping frenzy just in time for an early dinner at the Harrah's buffet at the bottom of the mountain. The 18th floor restaurant provided a fine view of the lake. The sky is a bright blue, the lake is brighter shades of blues, and the temperature at the summit was 60 degrees in mid afternoon. Can it get much better?
Tuesday morning we embarked on the 72 mile drive around the lake. Our first stop was an interesting tour of the Tallac Historic Site which includes a cluster of 100 year old summer homes on the edge of the lake. It is a fascinating glimpse into Tahoe’s past. During the August Great Gatsby Festival volunteers dress in period costume and the buildings are all open for touring. Further along the south shore we stopped at Emerald Bay for the most picturesque scene imaginable that looks out across the lake’s emerald green waters across the only island in the lake, Fannette Island. Nearby is the Vikingsholm, a 38 room Scandinavian castle built in 1929. After a nice lunch in the parking lot we took the steep 1 mile walk down to the beach and mansion. We continued driving around the lake stopping at several vistas. There was so much eye candy that I think I gained 5 pounds on the tour. It is amazing how crowded and developed one section can be and not far around the corner you are driving through cedars and pines in the Lake Tahoe Basin National Forest. There are plenty of beaches and forest service campgrounds all around the lake. It must be one of the country's most scenic drives! And then there are the casino buffets! I think it is time to leave.

Mammoth Lakes, Ca

Being in Mammoth Lakes is like going outside for recess. Everyone is playing and the playground is large. Just behind the visitor's center is the New Shady Rest campground, a part of the Inyo National Forest, but in the middle of town. And a shady rest we did need. We did not get much rest but we did get done the laundry, email, shopping, groceries.
This is where Leon skied his first Black Diamond, Dave's Run, on Mammoth Mountain but that was winter and this is summer. We are still at 7,000 feet so August weather is delightful. The first day we missed the bear that wandered through our campground while we were washing clothes but we sure smelled him during the night.
In Mammoth Lakes you can bike, hike, ride dirt bikes, 4 wheel, fish, boat .. it seems endless. I bought a one day fishing license and first dried Hot Creek, one of the nation's top 10, which was teeming with fish rising to I know not what. I did manage to catch one. The stream is in the open in meadows near the fish hatchery. Nearby hot water bubbles up from beneath the surface in an area where a tremendous volcano once spewed ash as far as Nebraska. You can no longer swim in the creek there so we had a picnic.
Then we took the backroads to Owens Creek, a beautiful stream meandering through the meadows. I honed my fishing skills a little and again caught my limit but a much larger fish. We spent the rest of the day exploring Old Mammoth Road and Mary's Lake Road. We hiked to an old stamp mill and stopped by what was once a mining town called Mammoth City. The Lake Mary Road was a scenic drive through the forest that took us to many high mountain lakes. The view of Twin Lakes from the top of the waterfall was breath taking.
Day three was dedicated to the Devil's Postpile. We took the shuttle and rode through the forest to the trailhead for Rainbow Falls. After a 1.3 mile hike downhill we came to an overlook with a fantastic view of the falls that are created by the middle fork of the San Joaquin River. The mist at the edge of the falls creates a rainbow effect. The hike seemed like 3 miles back. We then shuttled over to the National Monument portion of the park and hiked to the 60 foot tall columns of basalt that give the area it's name. We climbed the trail to the top where the glacial action had polished the rock and it looked like octagonal stone laid flooring. After five hours and about 4 miles of hiking we caught the shuttle back to the top. It was amazing to watch the driver maneuver hairpin turns on single lane roads with steep cliffs on one side. We would have to stop for oncoming cars to hug the mountain and manage to pass us.
Recess was over and we headed north towards Tahoe.
We stopped at Mono Inn on the shore of Mono Lake for a delicious dinner. Ansel Adams used to stop here to eat and his grandaughter now owns the restaurant. We tried some Fess Parker (Davy Crockett) wine since we didn't stop at his winery when we were in the Solvang area.
We stopped north of Bridgeport at Chris Flat campground in the Toiyabe National Forest, a nice little spot on the West Walker River, and quiet even though it is on highway 395. People appear to be camping all along highway 395 at fshing pullouts beside the river. More photos.

Yosemite NP, Ca

After breakfast in Oakhurst we arrived in Yosemite later than we should have. We stopped to inquire about first come – first served campgrounds as it is hard to plan ahead usually. We were told we better grab a spot at the first one on the mountain, Bridalveil Creek and we got very lucky. We found a wonderful spot among the cedars and pines with giant boulders standing like walls between sites. We couldn’t have chosen a better place. The temperatures at 7,000 feet ranged from the mid 40’s to the mid 80’s whereas the high in Yosemite Valley was 101 the first day we went down. It was only a 30 minute drive so we would go down early and return to the campground when it got hot.
One of our favorite views in Yosemite is Glacier Point, which was only about 15 minutes from our home in the wilderness. From there we could look out at the mountains (this one is Half Dome) and waterfalls or peer straight down 3,000 feet into the valley floor where the cars looked like toys. We went for sunset one evening and to watch the full moon rising but the clouds obscured the moon. It is amazing to watch the changing colors on half dome as the diffused light from the sun causes the colors to change. We even got to see an alpenglow on the further peaks.
We explored the southern portion of Yosemite where we hiked in the Mariposa Sequoia Grove to the largest tree in Yosemite, the Grizzly Giant. We toured an area of historic buildings and wagons and learned much about the vibrant history in the Wawona area. The Wawona Hotel, the oldest in the park, is near the entrance and provides a glimpse into the past also. Not far from our campground we hiked down to the McGurk cabin, an early settlement in the area. We stopped on the way back to the campground and gathered enough wood for a great fire over which we roasted marshmallows.
One morning drive into the valley led us past a coyote jogging down the bike trail. Then in a lush green meadow nearby 3 bucks grazed while keeping an eye on the nearby doe. Our favorite mode of travel in the valley was our bicycles and we rode the mostly shady winding bike paths everywhere among giant Incense Cedars, Jeffrey Pines, and all sort of tall firs new to me. If we missed anything we don’t know what it is.
One day we had a picnic lunch near El Capitan while we watched some climbers scaling the next rock. We made a steep 1 ½ mile hike to the footbridge at Vernal Falls and then went for an elegant lunch at the Awahnee Hotel, a marvelous lodge type structure built in 1927. Our most memorable hike would have been the one to Yosemite Falls, the largest falls in the US, but the falls dried up early this year due to less snow last winter. We also toured the nearby Mowak Indian village that showed how the early inhabitants of the area lived, not to mention the visitor’s center, museum, deli, village store, etc.
On August 1 we ventured 67 miles further in the park along a scenic drive to Toulomne Meadows. We got on the waiting list for a campsite and luckily, two hours later, we got the last of 13 sites available. We took a 2.2 mile walk to the Soda Springs where the carbonated water bubbles from the ground. The scenery from the hillside was awesome. There are large lush meadows in the area with streams running through them and mountains for backdrops. The campground was a bit crowded but the crowds dispersed well on the many hiking trails in the area.
The next morning we went about 1 ½ miles towards the John Muir trail across the Dana and Lyell Forks of the Toulumne River. We visited with a volunteer along the way that was one of many search and rescue members looking for a lost 80 year old woman. After our hike we drove across Tioga Pass and descended down a steep hill from the 8,000 foot elevation, as we exited the park and entered Inyo National Forest. We stopped in Lee Vining at the Mono Lake Visitor’s Center and when asking where to eat lunch and do laundry the lady suggested we drive 30 minutes south to a larger town, Mammoth Lakes. What a surprise! More photos.

Bass Lake, Ca

It was hard to leave the Pacific coast and head inland but the time has come. We traveled through Salinas, "the salad bowl of America," where so much of our produce is grown. Then it was over the mountains through Pacheco Pass to again cross the San Joaquin Valley. As we neared the foothills of the Sierra Mountain range we stopped to investigate the fruit of some trees. Lo and behold! I do believe they were olives. We climbed into the Sierras and spent the night outside the SKP campground in Coarsegold since we couldn’t get the gate to open. It turned out to be just fine as it was peaceful and free.
We continued on to Oakhurst, the gateway to Yosemite but instead turned right to spend a night at the Bass Lake RV campground. It was packed with folks playing on the Bass Lake, a beautiful clear blue lake with beaches and lodging along the shores. We took a beautiful drive through the Sierra National Forest and stopped for a picnic. Soon we discovered Manzanita Lake where we paused to watch people catch recently stocked trout and to picnic. Such a scenic little lake as shown here.
We then went to the Chukchansi Casino and made a donation before driving into Oakhurst to enjoy the movie Hairspray. More photos.

Monterey Peninsula, CA

After leaving the House of the Mouse we spent one night in Bakersfield and then headed north again. We took our time traveling and stopped at this San Miguel Mission in Paso Robles. Yes, the area is full of wineries and wine tasting rooms but we passed them by. Nearby we had a picnic and toured an old adobe along the Camino Real, aka the King's Highway, which traveled among the missions built by the Franciscans. More photos. We managed to arrive in Carmel Valley in time for a few days at the Laguna Seca race track and the U.S. Grand Prix motorcycle races. More importantly we spent three days visiting with friends Rose, Robert and Bud. On Monday it was time to play tourist again as Bud went home and Robert and Rose went back to work. More photos.

We spent some time on Cannery Row, the old part of Monterey made famous in Steinbeck's novel by the same name. The area was first popular as a whaling community, then a tourist town, before the canneries opened in the 1920s to can all the sardines caught in the area. Eventually most of the sardines wound up in cans, the industry died out, and tourism again became the economic boost. Many small shops and restaurants line the streets. More photos.

There is also an historical significance here with a well-done historical tour (photos) that highlights some of the refurbished buildings dating from the late 1840s. It was here the Californian flag was first raised. Nearby is the old wharf, also lined with small shops and restaurants, but a good place to sample clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl while watching otters swim in the bay. By the end day we settled in at the Veteran's Park rather than drive back to Carmel Valley.

Our first day was a walking tour but on Tuesday we unloaded the bikes and enjoyed the rail trail that parallels the beach a block or so away. We finished our historical tour and then rode over to Pacific Grove. (Photos) This is a town where the Monarch butterflies used to fill the Eucalyptus trees on their yearly migrations. They still do but there just aren't so many Monarchs. Pacific Grove is a quieter area filled with old Victorian homes where we walked and shopped. It stayed cloudy today and we have been chilly even in jackets!!

We drove back to the historic district in Monterey for the Tuesday evening Market they have each week. There were plenty of flowers, fruits, vegetables, arts and crafts, and food vendors. We tried some Russian Blintzes and some Falafels and called it supper. (sorry, Mel)
After spending the morning shopping in Monterey we shifted
to Carmel and toured the mission there. It is the second oldest mission in California and where Serra lived until his death. Much of it has been refurbished. Shown is Serra's cell.

Disneyland, Ca

Parades, video games, swimming pool slides, Space Mountain, Matterhorn Bobsleds, ice cream, hamburgers, Grand Californian Hotel, monorails, trains, Big Thunder Mountain, light show, Indiana Jones, Rainforest Cafe. We tried to do it all!! Are we having fun yet? You bet! There are plenty of photos.

Bakersfield, Ca

We have come to Bakersfield to visit friends and family before taking Leon's grandsons to Disneyland. We are staying at an elaborate new RV park, Bakersfield RV, that has recently opened and we are having quite a rest after our indepth exploration of the southern and central coasts of California. We have indulged ourselves while here. Each day we have a swim in the pool and enjoy the hot tub. The internet cafe has allowed me to catch up on "my computer work." Each morning the paper awaits on our patio table. Some mornings we work out in the gym. At 2 there are cookies in the office. Coffee is available all day. It is quite a nice RV park.

Our friend Gary stopped by for a visit and it was indeed good to see him. He and Leon have been friends for a very long time and I met Gary at the same time I met Leon at the Slabs.

Robert and Tina either come to visit or we go to their house. We have also made sure to stop at a couple favorite restaurants for Chinese and Mexican foods. And indeed we had a pizza night at the Bird house followed by peppermint ice cream! We drove up to Tehachapi and checked on Leon's old house and then even went to a barrel racing rodeo. Best of all we have spent time with Gunnar, Leon's grandson. Lots of business has been taken care of such as haircuts, new glasses for Leon, and uploading photos. Leon also has a chance to catch up on some of the movies he has missed. Now it is off to see the mouse.

More photos of Bakersfield.

Central California Coast, Ca

Lompoc
After one more trip to Solvang for a Danish and a trip to Buellton for gas, we took the less traveled path through Lompoc to reach the coast. Lompoc claims to be the city of flowers and murals and indeed it is. West of town we took a wrong turn and passed flower fields filled with vibrant colors. More photos.

Pismo Beach
We found our way back to Highway 1 near Vandenburg Air Force Base and then stopped in Pismo Beach where the scenery changes from remote countryside to people intent on having fun. We watched the toy haulers roll to and from the Oceano Dunes where quads, motorcycles and dune buggies cavort in the sand. The streets in Pismo were lined with tourists and RV parks. This is where we met the guy with the pink mohawk and clothes to match who is riding his bike around the world. I am not sure he will make it with pink hair. More photos of Pismo.

Morro Bay
We had a nice visit with friends John and Judy in Morro Bay. John and Leon had worked together in a past life. We then drove out to the beach alongside Morro Rock and watched the beach activity. A little further south in Los Osos we drove out to the rugged cliffs at Montana de Oro State Park and looked out over the Pacific. From there a drive through the lovely countryside filled with Monterey Pines along the coast led us to San Luis Obispo.

San Luis Obispo
We went inland about ten miles and stopped by the Madonna Inn, an inn with a Victorian castlelike appearance that overused the color pink. The entire place reminds you of icing on a cake. Even the sugar in the sugar shakers is pink! The gardens were full of blooming roses in front of the inn. The bathrooms are not to be missed. In the men's a waterfall entertains. It is quite a lavish place. We couldn't resist returning the next morning for breakfast. More photos.

In the older part of town we strolled the streets, visited the mission and had dinner. There were lots of young people in town but evidentally nothing as compared to when Cal Poly is in session. We then located the Moose Lodge, our parking spot for the night.

Cambria
After driving north again we stopped at this is quaint little artsy community just south of San Simeon. We toured through one of the neighborhoods where the houses seem to cling to the sides of the hills on tiny lots, all trying to get a view of the ocean. In town the streets are lined with cute little specialty shops. Up nearby Hillcrest Street is Nit Wit Ridge, a multi level house with terraced patios built from abalone shells, old wheels, auto parts and other salvaged materials on 2.5 acres. Supposedly an eccentric hermit built the place and lives here. More photos.

San Simeon
The Hearst Castle, begun in 1919, is a lesson in extravagance. We toured a guest house, the outdoor pool, the lower level of the 115 room house, the indoor pool and some of the terraces. There is a 5 mile bus drive up the hill to the mansion which is owned now by the state. Every 10 minutes a busload would ascend the hill with another tour group. We also viewed an excellent big screen movie about William Randolph Hearst's life and the building of the castle. It was a few hours well spent. More photos.

Ragged Point
We drove further north along the coast to Ragged Point, the gateway to Big Sur, where the steep cliffs rise high above the shore and the narrow coastline and winding road provide breathtaking views. This was our furthest point north. More photos.

Piedras Blancas
Heading back south we passed Piedras Blancas lighthouse and then stopped at the viewing area where the elephant sea lions bask in the sun on the beach. They weigh up to 5,000 pounds and return to this area from Alaska to have their young, to mate, and to molt. They shed their coats once each year and once again don shiny silver coats. More photos.

Nearby we spent the night at the Washburn Campground in San Simeon State Park. The next morning. after a stop at the tide pools at Laffingwell Beach and a drive along Moonstone Beach near Cambria, we passed wineries, horsefarms, mountains, oil fields, and desert before descending into the San Joaquin Valley and Bakersfield, Ca. We stopped to look at the Tule Elk, native to California, at the Tule Elk Preserve west of town and then arrived at our home for five days at the newly opened Bakersfield RV Park.

Santa Barbara, Ca

Our goal in Santa Barbara was to visit with Brett, Leon's son, and what a fine visit it was. We got a nice spot at the Lake Cachuma County Park 24 miles northeast of Santa Barbara. It seems the county parks were our best bet all along. It is in the 6,600 acre Cachuma Lake Recreation Area and the lake provides the water for Santa Barbara. The first afternoon was a bit warm, aka hot, so we went down the mountain through the Los Padres National Forest and shopped in Goleta. Then we had supper with Brett on Stearn's Wharf on Santa Barbara Bay, quite a scenic spot for some seafood. The pier was built in 1872 to serve cargo and passenger ships.
Santa Barbara is a nice coastal town with a Mediterranean climate and the red tiled roofs and white washed buildings reflect the Spanish heritage. It is on a narrow strip of land bordered by the ocean and the Santa Ynez mountains which leaves little room for all the traffic. More photos.

After joining us for breakfast in the campground, Brett played tour guide on Saturday and what a fine quide he was. We first toured Solvang, a tourist town begun by Danish immigrants in 1911. It has traditional half-timbered housing and architecture complete with windmills. There are also bakeries and lots of shops. The tourists flock to the place.
We then went back up the hill above Santa Barbara and hiked among the rocks to a place known by the locals as Lizard Head. What a view of the Pacific coast it provided!
Another winding mountain road nearby took us to the Chumash Painted Rock State Historical Park. On a cliff alongside the road are pictographs left by the Chumash Indians. Some of the drawings are thought to depict an eclipse that occurred in 1667. After having fajitas at the campground we once again hiked part way to Lizard Head to find Leon's phone!!! It was a truly awesome day. More photos of Solvang.

Santa Monica, CA

Early July 5 we headed north again and passed through the quiet coastal towns of Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. The strand ran alongside the beach with multicolored small houses filling the side streets to the sand and water. In Marina del Rey we came to an upscale area alongside the marina before arriving at Venice Beach, a different kind of place. There is an eclectic group of people - the homeless mingle with those working out at Muscle Beach while others play tennis and use the other exercise facilities provided. Tourists mingle in the shops filled with cheap Chinese merchandise while others skateboard by. And this is at 9 am. This was the center of the beatniks in the 1950s and the hippies in the 1960s.

Further north on Highway 1 we stopped near the Santa Monica Pier and rode the bikes down on the pier to people watch and eat lunch. The pier is lined with small shops, eateries, pier vendors, fishermen, carnival rides, and people enjoying the ocean air.
Near Santa Monica Blvd. we strolled along the 3rd Street Promenade enjoying the shops, tourists, dinosaur fountains, and street performers. This is quite a popular shopping area.
Back on PCH the flat terrain changes to mountains alongside Highway 1 which follows along the beach. Many large homes with big gates line the road.
We got a spot for the night at the Sycamore Creek Campground in Point Magu State Beach but only because we "are handicapped." The state beaches seem to have many open spots each night that they don't release, either because Reserve America "might have made a mistake" or because someone "left early." It makes it very hard to find spots without reservations but most of them charge too much anyway for a site with no amenities. More photos.

Long Beach, Ca

We crossed the river from Seal Beach and found ourselves in Los Angeles County in the 5th largest city in California. The harbor and downtown area of Long Beach has gone through a major revitalization since 2000 that leaves a modern city along the Pacific shore. We drove along Shoreline Drive and past the lighthouse to the marina where they have an awesome bicycle path across the bay from the Queen Mary. We unloaded the bikes, rode the path, ate yogurt, walked the boardwalk, and spent the night at the marina. We didn't anticipate the noise in the middle of the night from people fishing on the pier behind the van.
We had bought VIP tickets online for the 4th of July on the Queen Mary and spent much of the 4th touring the boat. I was delighted to stop in the radio room and operate their amateur radio station as W6RO. The Queen Mary went into service in 1937 as a luxury liner and then was used to transport troops across the Atlantic during WWII. After the war she again became a first class cruise ship before retiring in 1967. In the afternoon we enjoyed a buffet and then had seating on the aft deck for the fireworks display over the bay. What a memorable 4th!! We watched thousand of cars leave the parking lot to cross the bridge back into town while we settled in for the night in the Queen Mary parking lot. More photos.

Orange County, Ca

San Juan Capistrano
After one last breakfast at Cafe 101 in Oceanside we traveled north on PCH past Camp Pendleton and through San Clemente detouring through Dana Point before we arrived at San Juan Capistrano. The mountains were closer to the beach but it was now about cute towns and historical areas. We did not see any swallows but we did enjoy a tour of the San Juan Capistrano Mission.
This mission was established by Father Junipero Serra in 1776, the seventh of 21 Spanish missions. Spain controlled California until 1821 when Mexico won it's independence. Abraham Lincoln returned the mission to the Catholic Church in 1865. The magnificent Great Stone Church inside the Mission walls was destroyed in the 1812 earthquake. Every spring the swallows return to Capistrano in March to nest and have their young. At one time they nested at the mission but are more widespread throughout the area now.
We also toured the historical Los Rios District, one of the oldest neighborhoods in California. Three adobe homes there were built in 1794. More photos.

Laguna Beach

We then traveled north to Laguna Beach, a hilly little town with steep cliffs and art galleries, which is a popular art community. The traffic on Sunday afternoon was as we expected = bumper to bumper and crawling at a snail's pace. We stopped at a beach access and toured a beautiful little beach with tidal pools that trapped fish, crabs, and other little sea creatures. More photos.

Newport Beach
From Laguna we creeped north to Newport Beach but it was a vain effort to get down to the beach due to the traffic. Later when the traffic dwindled we did return to the beach and pier. The area was packed with young people partying. Many small rentals lined the beach near adjacent clubs and restaurants. How the locals manage the traffic on this small peninsula is unimaginable. We spent the night in Newport Beach and the next morning drove with ease alongside the beach and Balboa peninsula. More photos.

Huntington Beach
20 miles north on July 2nd led us to a lovely beach - Huntington. We paid the $10 entrance fee for all day parking in the beachside lot where there was plenty of room to accomodate the traffic and plenty of beach for all to enjoy. There is a revitalized downtown area that boasted huge buildings with sidewalk restaurants, shops and hotels. There is a long asphalt path along the inside of the beach where crowds were bicycling, skateboarding, rollerblading, jogging, and strolling. The town should be very pleased with their accomplishments. There was a festive attitude as the town was gearing up for a large fourth of July celebration. At dusk fires lined the beach and at 10 the beach was closed and all got quiet, unlike Newport Beach. We spent a lot of time riding the bike path and then bought an umbrella and put in a few hours on the beach. We spent the night parked next to the bridge that crosses the PCH to the Hyatt. More photos.

Seal Beach
On July 3 we continued 8 miles north to Seal Beach, a quaint small town passed by time. It is pretty much surrounded by a river, the beach, and a naval station therefore it has kept it's small town charm. We walked out on the pier and watched surfers, life saver schools and sunbathers. We also visited the library and city hall trying to find information about a distant cousin to no avail. A disconnected phone number left us at a loss.

San Diego County, Ca

Oceanside
We scheduled one week at the Guajome County Park in Oceanside, California in order to visit with Leon's daughter. Our first day in town started with a wine tasting with Trisha and Steve in Carlsbad and then we went to their place to continue visiting and for a bite to eat. On Tuesday we went back to their place for Steve's birthday cookout. It was great to visit with them and worth every mile of the long hot drive getting there.
The county park and campground seems to be a well kept secret. Two Indians from the nearby Mission San Luis Rey received the 2200 acre Rancho Guajome as a land grant from the Mexican governor in 1845. A later owner built a lake and marsh in the area and in the 1970s the County of San Diego bought the land to create a county park. Many of the locals come to the park area to walk, bike, picnic, and fish in the lake. We were only seven miles from the fun town of Oceanside alongside the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and her 3.5 miles of white sandy beaches. More photos.











We enjoyed several hiking trails in the park after spending all of our days out touring the countryside.

We especially liked to go down to Oceanside, possibly have breakfast at Cafe 101, park alongside the beach and ride the bicycles on the path that borders the beach. Then we might drive further down the coast to another beach and watch the surfers or catch a nap. The Oceanside Pier is nineteen hundred and sixty feet long and is the longest wooden pier on the west coast.

Escondido
North of Carlsbad is an arid desert-like area in the San Pasqual Valley that is suitable for animals native to Africa and here we visited the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park. It began 30 years ago as a breeding facility for the San Diego Zoo. The 180 acre sanctuary has settings similar to the animals' natural habitats. We saw most of the 3500 plus animals and 140 species. The day started with a tram tour among the larger animals: giraffes, water buffaloes, etc. in a natural setting. We decided that after seeing this we would forego the planned trip back into San Diego to visit the zoo. Included in our packet was a coupon for a wine tasting at the nearby Orfila Vineyards & Winery so we obliged before leaving the area. More photos.

Carlsbad
Leo Carillo, known as Pancho in the 1950s tv series "The Cisco Kid," bought over 2500 acres where he restored and added to the existing rancho beginning in 1937. It became a large working ranch with many vaqueros keeping it in working order. 10 acres are part of the historic park owned by the City of Carlsbad with restored buildings from his ranch which include a hacienda, pool, cabana, cantina, carriage house, stable and barn. We had a fun tour of the rancho which gave us a hint of what life would have been like in the area in past years. Peacocks running about the grounds also kept us entertained.

San Diego
An express train runs from Oceanside to San Diego, the eighth largest city in the U.S., with several stops along the way. For the senior price of only $5 each we could take the Coaster to San Diego so we took a one day whirlwind tour of the city. As we rode south we viewed the beach from the upper deck and disembarked in Old Town San Diego. In 1769 an expedition arrived and built the first of the California missions. The mission period ended with Mexico's independence from Spain in 1821 and the era of great ranchos began. Adobe homes were built in what is today known as Old Town. In 1848 California became a territory of the United States. After touring Old Town and eating fish tacos at Cafe Cayote we boarded the big red double decker tour bus where we viewed San Diego from the top level. We hopped off to tour the USS Midway at the harbor (embarcadero). We then continued through the gaslight quarter, once the main business distict which later became the city's infamous red-light district and later a skid row area before it's revitalization; Mission Hill, an affluent area next to Old Town; and Hillcrest, a bohemian village-like neighborhood with a mix of architectural styles and a shopper's paradise. I was surprised to find the town so hilly. We then boarded another bus for a tour through Balboa Park. In 1868, 140 acres of barren, cacti filled, pueblo land was set aside for a city park. It is now a cultural and recreational center which contains about 1200 acres of lush vegetation. In 1915 it was the site of the Panama-California Exposition. The ornate buildings constructed for the exposition and a later one in the 30s now house a myriad of museums. Balboa Park is also home to the San Diego zoo. More photos.