Olympic National Park Loop

Our travel of the Olympic National Park loop included stops in Forks, Sequim, Port Townsend and Chimicum before heading toward Mt. Rainier.  The western portion of the 101 loop is adjacent to the rain forest.  The Forks area receives 12-14 feet of rain per year.  It's just plain wet all the time.  Driving into the national forest gave us a sense of that environment.  Slickers and rain boots are the fashion of choice.  The forest is a deep luscious green with the ground cover of ferns and other vegetation dripping water crystals.  From Cape Disappointment to Sequim, we never saw the sun for at least five days.

We spent two days in Sequim at the Elks.  As always, the Elks members were welcoming and informative about area highlights.  The camp sites were spacious, and the property was fenced on three sides.  We took advantage of some down time to play ball with Maci off leash.  Another couple near us had a female Doberman named Bella.  She and Maci got in a good run while there were few campers there.

Sequim is a unique area touched by seaside and lavender fields.  We were two weeks early for the lavender festival, but we were able to see a couple of the larger farms as we drove around investigating.  As always when we are close to the ocean, we spent much time driving around by the docks - always in search of fresh sea food.  We've been blessed to eat several meals of Dungeness crab - always with the thought that is might be our last meal of fresh crab.

The next stop was at the Fort Wordon State Park.  Of course our timing and lack of advanced planning landed us in the state park on July 4th week-end.  We were able to secure two nights in two different sites before moving on to our next stop.  In this area of Washington, old forts commissioned during the time between WWI and WWII have been turned into state parks.  Many sites are full hook ups with 50 amp service.  The 50 amp service is a big deal to a big rig like ours, especially if it's hot and air conditioning is needed.   I've been known to blow a circuit with one air, the microwave and the dryer running.

Fort Wordon Light

Black tailed deer visiting the camp site across from us

We traveled on to Chimacum with the intention of camping 3-5 days at the Escapees park there.  This would allow our mail to catch up with us.  With full hook up, we could catch up on laundry and take care of other business that often does not get done due to being on the road and sightseeing.  The time in Chimacum would also give us time to explore Port Townsend and the surrounding areas.

In addition to scouting out sea food when we are close to the ocean, we also love to wander through the boat yards.  Long ago we use to sail, and there's still a part of us that would like to wander on the water.  It amazes me how many different vessels we find in boatyards.  Large, small, sail boats, motor boats, new, old and some like the one below that look beyond repair.  We saw some as in disrepair as this being restored.  I wouldn't be surprised if that's why this barnacled boat was on the blocks, ready.

This motor sailor spent a bit too long in Davy Jones' Locker...

We also took some time to stop of a picnic lunch with some of the best scenery every.

This was our picnic site

If you ever get the chance to visit the Port Townsend area and you like to drink coffee, look up the Sunrise Coffee Company.  Beans from all over the world are roasted on site in one of the biggest coffee bean roaster I've ever seen.  The owner is highly knowledgeable and extremely helpful.

Soon after our mail caught up with us, propane tank filled, laundry done and gear stowed, we left Chimacum for Shelton, WA thinking this might be one more crab meal.  No such luck. We did find Bob's Tavern at the recommendation of a guy at the gas station.  That would be the best fried chicken ever and Jo Jo's (fried potato wedges).  Early the next morning we headed to Mt. Rainier National Park.

Cape Desperation

While still in San Jose, we were sure the trip to Washington and Olympic National Park would have to be postponed 'til next year.  We decided with some alterations we could still make the trip.  We crossed into Washington and made our first stop at the Cape of Disappointment.  The Northpoint Light House was the first point of interest.  We set up at the state park and headed out to the light house.

View on the path from the keepers' residences to the Northpoint Light

It was easy for me to imagine how difficult it must have been for the keepers of the light live day in and day out caring for the light in a harsh environment with few others in the near vicinity.  We walked the path from the light keepers' residences to the light house.  Visitors to the Northpoint Light are able to walk the circular stairs to the top of the light.  The view is astounding.  The volunteer who spoke with us talked about how the light use to take up the entire area we were in leaving very little room to "feed the fire."  This light required about five gallons a day or about 150 gallons a month.  Day in and day out, no matter how calm or unsettling the weather, the lighthouse keepers were on duty.  Being extremely fearful of heights, this was a tough tour for me.  It was difficult to listen, and I had a death grip on the railing around the stair area.  I could swear I could feel the structure moving - totally my imagination.  This is a light house over 100 years old and one that has sustained fierce storms on the edge of the pacific.  

The light was built to last and withstand any storm the Pacific could conjure

The Pacific coast is raw and rugged

We left this area feeling we had stepped back in time once more to imagine the life of those who kept this light - not unlike all the other light houses on both west and east coasts.  The life was lonely and  harsh fueled by the keeper's love of the sea and deep sense of responsibility for those lives on ships just off the rocks trying to enter the mouth of the Columbia River.                                                                 

Northward Ho!

Our continued travel north has fallen into a rhythm of sorts.  We're staying two days at each stop to explore. We are also continuing to enjoy the hospitality of Elks clubs on the west coast.  The Elks as a group have always been inviting to RV'ers and now increasingly are making bigger and better accommodations.  Some clubs have parking lots with water and electricity and dump stations either on site or near the park.  Other clubs have extensive accommodations with full hook-ups and sites that are landscaped for privacy.

Florence, OR Elks Campground

The Florence , OR Elks is one such club.  Although they do have some hook-ups at their club site in town, they have recently added a campground outside of town with 20 full hook-up sites beautifully landscaped with large spaces to walk the dog.  What is consistent with each Elks club is hospitality.  Like so many service groups, they are quite proud and protective of the welcome visitors get.  We drove the Jeep north up the coast to investigate some of the camping areas and enjoy the incredible view of the Pacific coast.

The most fun, as always, is taking Maci to the beach.  I'd say that is the third 'rhythm' of our travels.  Beach or dog park, Maci is getting more off-leash time than ever.  As long as I have beef jerky in my pocket, she always comes back.  If Maci had her way, shed walk the beach to Washington...

Petaluma to Eureka to Brookings

As I start this post, Jerry and I are enjoying a great cup of coffee while "thinking about" getting back on the road headed north.  Jerry's been roasting our coffee beans for the last two years.  We grind them fresh each morning.  He's still experimenting with different beans from various parts of the world.  He orders them green out of South Bend - 20 pounds at a time.  The roaster and beans are stored underneath.  If the weather is warm enough, he roasts outside.  If not, he roasts inside and the Whale smells like a coffee shop for days.  Not a bad deal.

We spent two days in Petaluma, a historic area with a quaint downtown.  One of the old banks has been converted to an heirloom seed store.  Our gardening activities are limited to seven pots, but we were fascinated with the size of the building and variety of seeds available.  All the seeds in this store are the original, unaltered by chemicals.  Like so many small towns on the coast, the buildings are old, architecture is unique and many have been repurposed as stores or restaurants.  As the new business continues, the history of the building becomes part of the aura.  We wandered for hours appreciating t
the architecture.

Both days we took Maci to one of the many dog parks in the area.  Since we continue to work on Maci coming when called, we always choose the fenced parks for safety.  This one was so huge, we couldn't see the fence.  So we had to confirm with a couple local pet owners that there really was a fence.  I shouldn't worry as we've learned Maci doesn't get too far from us before returning to make sure we're where we're supposed to be. Our next stop was in Eureka, CA.  As we make our way up the west coast, we are checking out the Elks lodges along the way.  We find the Elks to be economical and so friendly.  More times than not, there are hook-ups for water and electricity, but occasionally there will be full hook-up.  That was the case in Petaluma and Eureka.  So in between sight seeing, we did a few loads of laundry. We spent the first evening in Eureka checking out historic downtown and eating fish and chips at the Irish pub in that area.  Since our time was going to be limited in Eureka, we had to be selective about what we visited.  The Samoa peninsula won the toss.  So with Maci in the back seat, we drove to the peninsula and enjoyed a logger's lunch at the old Cook House.  For over 100 years the Cook House has been serving loggers and now tourists all-you-can-eat meals family style - only one entree on the menu.   This day, the going fare was fried chicken, corn, mashed potatoes and gravy, beans with salad, soup and cake for dessert.  This was not the most calorie conscious meal, but is was a logger's meal after all.

We drove out to the end of the peninsula and manuevered the Jeep on the beach.  With extremely soft sand, this was more like wallowing than driving.  I think I sense new tires and lower air pressure in the Jeep's future.  Once out there the view was incredible.  We turned Maci loose on the beach and watched as she once again showed us what pure joy looks like in a dog.  

Last night's stop was in Brookings, OR - a quick overnight at the Elks Lodge there.  We spent the evening checking out the docks before enjoying fish and chips and some of the best chowder we've had since Cedar Key, FL.  We got an early start this a.m. and hope to make it to Charleston, OR in hopes of finding Dungeness crabs.  We hear it's been a bad year for crab.  Hopefully, we'll get lucky.

A Traveler's Guide to Health Care in the U.S. and Other Things

As I begin this post, I'm astounded I haven't posted for five weeks.  So why the weird title?  Our time with family in San Jose was extended by a health care issue for Jerry.  When you're 64 and 71, health care can be an issue, but fortunately nothing has stopped us in our tracks.  One of our friends joked we should start a travel guide to heath care since we have had some things crop up in the last two years.  This last incident was another cancer scare blessed by a miracle.  Jerry's bladder tumor was removed, given a healthy dose of chemo the same day, and it was determined to be low grade / non-invasive.  What that really means is we are on the road again, headed north to Oregon and Washington before we head east for our annual visit in Elkhart, IN.

We've learned a thing or two about health care traveling full time in the Whale.  First, we quite griping about the premiums we pay for our insurance.  This is no place to cut corners in our opinion, and we've tested that multiple times.  Jerry has Medicare with an Anthem Plan F supplement.  What Medicare does not cover, Anthem does.  It's worth every penny.  I am still on my school system's insurance which will change next year when I turn 65.  I will subscribe to the same combo Jerry has.

We've also learned if a care giver is not immediately tuned into our "mobile" life style, we need to go somewhere else.  When Jerry first knew there was an issue with the bladder, we went to the emergency room at Kaiser in San Jose.  That's part of our throw-a-dart strategy.  They first made sure Jerry was not near death.  Then they patted him on the head, sent us on our way and did not follow up with a call from the urology clinic as promised.  We are certain this is because Jerry was not in the Kaiser system with Kaiser insurance.  I'm sure Kaiser is a fine facility, but we don't have time for that kind of silliness.  We called Stanford when we realized the problem was not just going away.  Excellent!  All the way around from diagnosis to surgery.  Jerry received the good news call from the surgeon in record time.  We've learned going to a research / teaching facility is our best bet since we don't seem to attract simple illnesses.

While marching through the health issue, we moved the Whale from the San Jose Elks to the Fremont Elks Lodge #2121.  We were anticipating I might have to handle things solo for awhile.  The rate was lower, and the dump station was easier to get into.  If I have to dump the tanks, I need lots of room.  While still in Fremont, we were so fortunate to have Linda, Peter, and their dogs Tino and Taxi (Italian Greyhounds) as our neighbors.  The first evening they pulled in (beautiful Prevost bus), we were celebrating Jerry's good news with Stan and Jan friends from Texas who we visited at Lake Turlok.  We invited Peter and Linda to join us for dinner and had a most excellent time.  As neighbors we were able to spend time together including taking Tino, Taxi and Maci to a really nice dog park in Fremont complete with fence and astro-turf.  There's nothing more fun than watching dogs at play.

Also, while on our extended stay we were able to see grandsons Miles and Donovan rock climb, compete in a splash and dash and triathlon and two different music programs.  We were able to be apart of their daily lives, picking them up from school with frequent stops at Dairy Queen.  They were able to do overnights with Grandma and Grandpa.  We even got to experience the Easter egg hunt with over 200 plastic eggs in the front and back yard.  I think they are still finding plastic eggs.  Talk about quality time with the grandsons!

So with a great deal of sadness to leave family and new friends in San Jose / Fremont and a great deal of excitement to be on the road again, we pulled out early this morning, June 14, 20014 to continue our journey.  We made it all of two hours to Petaluma, CA where we will spend two nights.  Right now we are squeezed into a car wash to get the Whale detailed.  Thanks to the ap Linda showed me, I've already located a fenced dog park for Maci to play.  There is a popular historic downtown area we plan to explore.  It feels good to be wandering again.

Turlock Lake Recreation Area

Our view from the font of the Whale.

Home sweet home

Our time in the Modesto area in addition to exploring the reservoir campsites, has been spent by the ranger station at the Turlock Lake Recreation Park.  Dry camping is not a problem in the Whale, and in this setting, it's pretty close to heaven.  The weather has been perfect - a bit warm the first two days we were hear, but now it's in the 70's, sunny with a light breeze.  Our visit with Stan and Jan has been wonderful. Jan and I have been walking, and between Stan and Jerry, our master chefs, dinners have been straight out of the Healthy Gourmet.  One of our favorite aspects of traveling is enjoying the fresh fruits and vegetables available in the area.  Fresh strawberries and blueberries as well as asparagus, snap beans, and squash have been available.  Stan and Jan introduced us to a squash called Paddy Pans, a little yellow squash that is to die for when grilled.  We'll be stocking up before we leave this area.

We head back to San Jose Wednesday a.m. to spend a bit more time with son Chris and family before heading north to Washington along the west coast.

California

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