Monday: (07/01) The End of Democracy. Up early. I had the remaining asada fries for breakfast. I decided to head back West on Highway 70 stopping for a quick look at Belden. Then on down toward Chico and back up Highway 32 and 36 to Chester. I got gas in Portola as I started the trek and again in Chester when I ended my trek. I stopped just before Highway 36 for a nap beside Deer Creek. A chicken breast for lunch. The leftover pastrami half sandwich for dinner.
Tuesday: (07/02) A banana with yogurt for breakfast. I called Lou before I left my overnight spot, where I had a good cell signal. She will be joining me so I was looking for a camp spot but none were to be found. We’ll all have to do like I do and find dispersed camping or rest stops. I drove into Lassen NP stopping at the Visitor Center. Next stop was a look, and smell, at the Sulfur Works.
Wednesday: (07/03) I drove down to Redding and stopped at Sprouts Market to get more green tea. Then over to a laundromat to wash my clothes. After that I got gas then spray washed to van to get the dust off. Before leaving Redding I had a BBQ pulled pork with cheese sandwich for brunch. It was a long hot drive to Arcata. I had lunch at the Oriental Buffet in Arcata about 1430. After lunch I continued down to the Redwood Acres Fairground and checked in. I spent some time stowing things out of the way so there is room for Lou and Dawn. In the evening I went to an ACE hardware store and got some hardware to allow using the 3rd bed platform crosswise in the van rather than lengthwise. It turns out I should be able to use it either way. If I build a different one that fits the space fully, it won't be able to be stored under the sink any more. I had some cottage cheese for dinner.
Thursday: (07/04) I had waffles with berries and a wiener for breakfast. We had lunch in Arcata at the Oriental Buffet. No dinner needed. In the evening we drove downtown to the Post Office and watched the fireworks over the harbor.
Friday: (07/05) A breakfast sandwich to start then when Lou and Dawn called me over later to Frankie’s Bagel shop because they had donuts, I couldn’t resist. I called a window glass welder to get the big chip repaired on the van windshield. It was repaired pretty good for the extent of the damage. I also had a small chip fixed as well. Lou and Dawn were off thrifting all day and I hung around to meet the repairman later in the afternoon. No lunch today. I had a cob of corn and a couple of wieners for dinner. About 1900 Dawn and I went to the Humboldt Cidery down the street. Back home we chatted with our neighbor the rest of the evening.
Saturday: (07/06) Granola and yogurt for breakfast. Lou and Dawn visited Frankie’ Bagels again. We visited some thrift stores in Eureka and Arcata. In Arcata we checked out the Farmers Market at the Town Plaza. We had lunch there at the Big Blue Cafe. Then we drove out the Samoa Peninsula to the end. And finally we visited the Grocery Outlet to get another salad which we had for dinner. Lou dashed off to get an onion and a pepper for tomorrows breakfast.
Sunday: (07/07) I had a donut I got in Arcata yesterday at Don's Donuts yesterday. Lou and Dawn were off to a Flea market here at the Fairgrounds and to Frankie's Bagels for their breakfast. I took a shower then met them at the Flea Market. I had a salad for lunch. We visited the stables to meet Deedra, the camp host, and see her mini horse and the stable cats. Later we went to Loleta the get ice cream then drove out to Ferndale for a look around. Then on to a thrift store in Fortuna where Dawn found a grain mill. On the way back we stopped at Winco then home. Baked beans and wieners for dinner.
Monday: (07/08) I prepared scrambled eggs with diced wieners, an onion and a green pepper for breakfast. Lou and Dawn finished preparing to leave and they were off at about 0830. I serviced the compost toilet, drained the gray water tank and filled the fresh water tanks. I restored everything back to the pre Lou and Dawn visit and I was off myself about 1030. I stopped at Winco and did some re-suppling of the van. I picked up a couple of slices of pizza for lunch there before I left. After lunch, I went to Sequoia Park and took a short hike. Nice! I then continued North. I took a short tour of McKinleyville then stopped in Trinidad with a view over the still foggy bay. About 1930 I moved out to the Rest Area for the night. Tomorrow morning I’ll head up to Prairie Creek SP for a hike. I had some corn chowder and a piece of chicken for dinner with a small huckleberry cheesecake for dessert.
Tuesday: (07/09) I had a sausage, egg and cheese English muffin for breakfast. I drove up to Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park for a hike. I hiked down to the beach on the Ossagon Trail. It’s a little over 2 miles down then a half mile over the Ossagon Rocks. I tried to hike down on the Coast trail but it is extremely overgrown and flooded with lots of mud as well. So I just returned back the way I came out for a 5.5 mile hike. I then had ramen noodles with chili for lunch. Then I explored a few trails on the way up to Crescent City. In Crescent City I just relaxed watching the beach activity. I spent the night overlooking the bay. A salad for dinner.
Wednesday: (07/10) Granola and yogurt for breakfast. I relaxed in the van until my Wednesday AlphaSoftare webinar. Then I drove over to Harbor Freight to get a few things. More small clips, a couple of pairs of scissors (one for the kitchen and one for the tool pouch) and I found a neat lantern for the camping table. Then I went to lunch at the Chart Room. Their fish and chips are so good. I took an afternoon nap then I drove out to Stout Grove in Smith Redwoods SP. I took a short hike through the grove. I drove out from Elk River Road which included a couple of miles of very dust road than winds closely between the huge redwoods of the park. I visited late in the afternoon so a lot of cars were leaving passing on the single lane dirt road. It seems to be very popular. At the grove there was a sign saying it was only 2 miles to Highway 199 which was actually only a half mile or so of dirt road then paved road. For some reason it was a longer drive but very little dirt road. On the way home I stopped at Walmart for a couple of things and at Harbor Freight again because I decided I needed a second bench broom for the driver's door so I don’t have to go to the other side to get the broom there. I am a little lazy. I drove back out to my night spot by the pier. Jambalaya soup and a BBQ pulled pork sandwich for dinner. About 2000 I took a walk out to the lighthouse and then to the end of the pier. Both short walks from my night spot.
Thursday: (07/11) A sausage egg and cheese English muffin for breakfast. I paid all my nills online before leaving. I also updated the spreadsheet I use to manage the bills with more automation. I left Crescent City at about 1030. I drove North up to Brookings, Oregon. Along the way I stopped to have the kayak inspected for invasive stuff as required in Oregon. No problem except for removing and replacing it in my garage storage. I stopped at a Fred Meyer Store and looked around. Their prices seem to be about 25% higher than Walmart and Safeway. I learned that Fred Meyer’s is a Kroger owned store chain. I prepared shrimp spears with tater tots for lunch. Then it was time for a nap. Later, I took a walk around town, a rather short walk. I decided to prepare for a shower later so I ran the hot water heater while it was early enough to recharge the batteries. Then I started looking for a spot for tonight. I tried the North Bank Road along the Chetco River but didn’t find anything I liked. Then it drove out the South Bank Road and up into the National Forest. The paved road turned into a gravel road. I followed for a few miles to a nice wide spot in the road overlooking the mountains. I took a nice inside shower. I had jambalaya soup with guacamole and chips for dinner.
Friday: (07/12) A sausage egg and cheese English muffin for breakfast. I spent the entire day at my camp working on the computer. Waffles with peanut butter and apricot preserves for brunch. Shrimp and tater tot for lunch. Guacamole and corn chips for appetizers. Cauliflower parmesan soup for dinner. Nice temp all day with no need for the air conditioner. The sky was clear with fog filling the canyons and then rolling out to still cover the town all day.
Saturday: (07/13) A sausage egg and cheese English muffin for breakfast. I drove down the mountain back to Highway 101, 3.5mi gravel. 8.5 from Hwy 101. I then headed East on the South Bank road along the Chetco river. I stopped in Agnes at the Country Store. My intent was to take these back roads to Grants Pass, then head North and return to the coast at Coos Bay. But 29 miles in and it was 95 degrees and I was heading up a windy single lane forest service road with 55 miles to go. I decided to return back to the cool coast with paved roads. I watched a little speed boat racing before I left the Agnes area. A ham and cheese sandwich for lunch. Back to Highway 101, I continued North to Port Orford. I had dinner at the Crazy Norwegian, fish and chips. I returned back south a mile or so to a vista point for the night. I tinkered on the computer into the night.
Sunday: (07/14) Granola for breakfast. I was on the road about 0730.. A foggy morning in Port Orford. I was in Coos Bay before noon. I did some shopping at Fred Meyers, Safeway, Grocery Outlet and Walmart. Multiple stops are needed when you are picky like me. I had a salad for lunch at the Walmart lot. Then I went to John Topits Park and parked by Empire Lake for the rest of the day. I tinkered on the computer finishing my campsite GPS location spreadsheet. I had a chicken breast and mashed potatoes for dinner there. About 1830, I drove up to North Bend’s Harbor where they have a parking lot that welcomes overnighters.
Monday: (07/15) Granola for breakfast. I drove out to Shore Acres Park and enjoyed a walk in the gardens. Then I returned, stopping in Charleston by a marina for a nap, to do some computing and for a walk on the jetty. Then back to North Bend Harbor for the night. Chicken and salad for lunch. Soup for dinner.
Tuesday: (07/16) Granola for breakfast. I drove out to Golden and Silver falls and hiked to each. The lot was crowded so I left and stopped at a picnic area down the road. I had BBQ ribs for lunch. I returned to my spot in the North Bend Harbor for a nap. I left about 1600 heading North. I stopped in Florence at Mo's Seafood and got a clam chowder to go. I checked iOverlander and found a Forest Service road to camp on for the night. I had my chowder for dinner, then took a shower. Nice night but there was a nice thunder show. Two multi-minute thunder rolls.
Wednesday: (07/17) PBJ for breakfast. I returned to Florence and walked around the Old Town neighborhood.. I had a couple of pork egg rolls from the Dollar Store for lunch at a vista point near the Devil's Churn. Next, a stop in Newport for a nap. Then I located a good night spot at Nye Beach here in Newport. After another nap I took a walk and found an interesting village area a couple of blocks from where I’m parked. Great looking flat sandy beach. The village is similar to Pismo beach. I also met a neighborhood cat on my walk. The village includes a brewery as well. Chicken pot pie for dinner.
Thursday: (07/18) A sausage egg and cheese croissant for breakfast. I drove North along the coast stopping In Depoe Bay, the Devil's Punchbowl, Otter Crest Viewpoint, and on to Lincoln City. I washed the van there, got gas, and picked up a chowder to go from Mo’s. Then I headed East toward Salem. I spent the night 15 miles South at a Rest Stop. Chinese Buffet in Salem for dinner.
Friday: (07/19) Up early and on the road to Silver Falls SP. I was the third car in the parking lot.When I returned after my hike the lot was full. I hiked out the Rim Trail to North falls, then up to Upper North Falls. From there I hiked back past the Ten waterfalls on the Canyon Trail. Each fall is different. My hike was about 9.8 miles with my extra side trips here and there. The weather was nice, especially because it was mostly shaded. It was about 86 degrees at 1130 when I finished. I had entered from the South and exited to the North toward Silverton. I took 99E up through Oregon City and then onto Highway 84 to Wahkeena Falls Trailhead for the night. Clam chowder for lunch. Salad for dinner.
Saturday: (07/20) Frozen breakfast sandwich to Start. I drove over to Multnomah Falls. I hiked up to the top to see it from all sides. Then on to Eagle Creek for a hike out to tunnel falls. I thought it was only 2.5 Miles to it but it was 7.5 miles. So I managed to hike 28 miles today. The high temp was probably 98 degrees. Even do, the trail was crowded. I had to park a half mile away. I had some leftover chowder for brunch before the second hike. Trail snacks at the far end of the hike. A chicken breast for dinner.
Sunday: (07/21) Granola for breakfast. I hiked to see the Bridal Vail and Horsetail waterfalls. Neither were long hikes only totaling 2.5 miles. Otherwise I was exploring along Highway 30. I stopped in Cascade Locks again looking for electrolytes with no luck. I headed East to Hood River to Scott’s Supply, a sporting goods store where I found some electrolytes, not my brand but functional. I’m really surprised they are not available in an area as hot as this is. I was indecisive about where to go next. A chili size for lunch. I stopped at a great Natural Foods Market in Hood River Huckleberry’s Natural Foods/Rosaure’s Supermarket and hung around there for a while. I also visited the Cascade Supply store next door. About 1800 I drove across the Highway 35 bridge into Washington and found a spot to park for the night. Jambalaya for dinner.
Monday: (07/22) Frozen breakfast sandwich to Start. I took Washington Highway 141 up to Trout Lake. I stopped at the ranger station to prepare a photo album and post it on Facebook. Then I drove up to Mt Adams vista point anc checked the PCT trailhead there. I stopped along the road to get some huckleberries. I had noticed some men picking berries and guessed they were huckleberries. They are ripe a little earlier this year. This is where I really enjoyed the berries as I hiked on the PCT near here. I got gas and continued up Forest Service Road 23 to Randle and then onto Highway 12. I checked out the PCT crossing at White Pass then spent the night in the Bevin Lake Rest Area. Chili with ramen for lunch. Leftover jambalaya soup and then breaded shrimp and tater tots for dinner.
Tuesday: (07/23) A banana and a frozen breakfast sandwich to Start. Then I headed up to Highway 123 to go into Rainier NP. Right after turning onto the road I see a highway message sign that said a permit was required to get in. So, I replanned the day. I considered just using the day to catch up on computer things but decided to just drive down to the Southeastern viewpoint to see Mt Saint Helen. Along the way there I visited a waterfall. I visited all the viewpoints and spent more time at the last one including having dinner before I left there. That made me have to rush back to get back to a good cell signal to get a next day permit for the park that became available after 1900. Scrambled eggs with ham and cheese and garlic salsa for lunch. A chicken pot pie and a baked potato with beef stroganoff topping for dinner.
Wednesday: (07/24) A frozen breakfast sandwich to Start. I headed off early to maybe get into the park before my entrance time. I did, I entered at 0655. I stopped at the trail to Snow Lake and hiked out past Bench Lake to Snow Lake and beyond. Only about 3 miles hiked. More exploring until I stopped in Paradise, at the Visitor Center. I had a salad and chicken breast for an early lunch. I hiked the High Skyline Trail. It was about 6.8 miles hiked there and an 1800 foot climb. Back at the van I had the leftover salad and a couple of wieners for dinner. I then continued out of the park toward Longmire stopping several places to look around. I intended to spend the night in a rest area in Elbe but it had odd hours being only open when not needed, 7am-7pm so I returned to the Rest Stop near Randle for another night. Along the way home I stopped at a market in Morton. I got some corn chowder soup there for some more dinner. I then took a shower.
Thursday: (07/25) I was up too early at 0530 to head to the Sunrise Entrance of Rainier NP. I needed to get inside before 0700 or needed a rimed entrance permit which I didn’t have. I entered at 0637 and was surprised that the entrance station was open and they checked my Old Timers Pass. The Paradise entrance station was not open when I entered it at 0655. I drove up to the Sunrise View Point but the clouds below the point obscured the view. The view of Mt Rainier was partially obscured as well. I continued up to the Sunrise Inn. It was cold there and even ore clouds kepr the view of the mountain obscured. I watched for a while but no view came so I took a nap for a couple of hours to make up for some of my lost sleep from a late night and early morning. About noon I finally went into the store for a look around but it was still too cold. Then about 1300 I decided to do a short hike of part of the Sourdough Trail, only a couple of miles. Still no clear view of the mountain. I had a frozen breakfast sandwich to Start. For brunch I had a coupe of waffles and a sausage. A late lunch of a BBQ pork sandwich. I left the area about 1600. I stopped at the top of Chinook Pass to see the PCT trail there. I continued on toward Yakima. I did some grocery shopping there. I had managed to empty both the refrigerator and the freezer. I also got gas and stopped at a laundromat to do my wash. Then I picked up dinner from Panda Express before heading North on I82 stopping at a rest area about 8 miles North of town.
Friday: (07/26) no. I drove up to Levenworth to look around. Typical tourist trap with a German flare. Mostly restaurants and curio shops. Most of the restaurants were still closed, not opening until 1100. I picked up a Danish roll which was just ordinary, not as I had hoped. I decided to have my lunch before I got back on the road at 1030. I made scrambled eggs with diced wiener and cheese covered in the last of my garlic salsa. Yum. I continued West on Highway 2 stopping to look around a couple of points of interest. I also stopped at Stevens Pass to look at the PCT trailheads. I decided to try and ride the ferry to Friday Harbor tomorrow as a ferry walk-on passenger. For dinner, a tiny chicken breast with a small bowl of soup. As I was finishing my dinner and waiting for the traffic to clear on the freeway, I heard a loud crash and saw two cars heading for me. One was spinning after being t-boned by another car running a stop sign. The spinning car finished in front of me. The other car was headed right for me and passed within inches of the left side of my van, and me. The driver managed to turn just enough to miss me. The first car was on fire, the lady driver got out. Both cars were severely damaged. Evidently the male driver that ran the stop sign had just left the scene of a previous collision he had had and was speeding around the neighborhood. I tried to put out the small fire in the car but it had gotten too big for my tiny extinguisher and ended up totally engulfing the car. About four fire tricks, 6 Everett police cars and three ambulances were on the scene; later most of the police were replaced by four state police officers.. I watched for a couple of hours and no tow trucks ever arrived. Evidently being investigated as a crime scene so probably waiting for a state police inspection team? Also, the entire thing was being filmed for a TV show.
Saturday: (07/27) A frozen breakfast sandwich to Start. I headed off on I5 then Highway 20 to Anacortes. I parked and got my ticket but still had an hour and a half till it left. It was foggy. The fog didn't clear until we were out among the islands. I explored Friday Harbor walking around town. They had a nice farmer's market where I got lunch, some birria and rice. As I waited for the return ferry, I had a scoop of huckleberry cheesecake ice cream. I was back at the van a bit after 1700. I had a chicken breast and a salad for dinner. I decided to just spend the night here in the ferry parking lot since I'm paid for until 0647 tomorrow.
Sunday: (07/28) Granola for breakfast. I was up at 0500 and on the road at 0515. I drove South (West on 20) down to Deception Pass, an interesting bridge over a very narrow connection between Whidbey Island and the mainland that has a current like a river passing through due to the tides. While there I relaxed and tried to decide where to go next. I finally decided not to go into Canada due to not enough time to enjoy it and instead decided to take the ferry across to the Olympic Peninsula at Port Townsend. I stopped in Oak Harbor to get some groceries. I had a wait for a second ferry but arrived at my destination by 1400. I had leftover cauliflower soup for lunch. While waiting for the ferry I made a reservation for the night at the Fairgrounds. I took a long nap there until about 1900. When I finally saw the host, I found out I was in the wrong spot. I had reserved #76 but checked the allowed change and they had changed it to 79. Good thing the people that had reserved that hadn’t arrived by 2100 when I checked. I had shrimp and tater tots for dinner.
Monday: (07/29) A frozen breakfast sandwich to Start. I left the Fairgrounds about 0700 and took a drive around the area finally finding myself downtown. I parked near the ferry terminal next to the Quivers Mercantile store. It was sort of marked 2 hour parking but there were several other vehicles that parked most or all day there as I did. I took a couple of walks around downtown. A chili size for lunch and a slice of pizza from a nearby shop for dinner. O located a parking area near the marina labeled 24 hour parking so I moved there for the evening. Not the quietest area because it was next to a roller board park. A nice relaxed day.
Tuesday: (07/30) Up early for a walk around the town on this foggy morning. I had granola for breakfast. I left town headed toward Port Angeles. I stopped at Walmart and at the Dollar Store for a few things. For brunch I had a couple of little meat and chili burritos and some hash browned potatoes with salsa. Then I went to the Olympic NP Visitor Center. After that I checked in to a campsite at Heart Of The Hills Campground. Since it was so foggy I just relaxed in my camp.
Wednesday: (07/31) pancake sausage sandwich for breakfast. Drove to Madison falls trailhead which was the end of the road due to bridge washouts. I tried to use the bike but found the battery way low. Tried to order one from Amazon but even though they say one day when adding to cart, they say three days when completing the order. Also. There are no pickup points in Port Angeles. Closest is in Sequom 15 miles east. I rode the bike out to the first washout to see what crossing would be like but there is too much river to cross. I returned to the van for lunch. Burritos and hashbrowns with salsa. Again. After Lunch, I hiked out to the upper dam that had been breached in 2011 , along with the lower dam, to return the Elwah river to a wild river. I hadn’t seen anyone on the trail for the last mole and a half but at the dam there were four people finishing a snack. They left a while be CG ore I did but I caught up really quickly. Not because of my speed, but because one of their group had a lot of difficulty walking. I don't think it was hiking caused but just his normal walking. His companions were very patient. We chat a while as I walked with him before dashing on. Much respect for him and his mates. On the way out you need to take a bypass trail that gets you around the missing bridges. It is steep and goes up 2-300 feet on an old service road to a water tank the comes down a primitive trail with lots of tripping roots back to the road. On my return I missed the first Bypass Trail sign and walked all the way back to the first missing bridge on a mostly level nicely groomed trail. It couldn’t be seen by the bridge and there was no sign there. Seems odd to send people up the mountain when such a nice trail exists below. I was back about 1600 and had some mushroom soup and Salas. The I dashed I ff to a nearby bike shop that didn't really exist. It was just part of an RV park and has no parts. Later I drove downy I went stopping at Swain’s General Store. I was there until they closed at 2000 only looking over half the store. They have everything and are as big as a Super Walmart’s I may try to return. I Aldo visited Walmart to get a mosquito head net. On the way back to a Park and Ride lot on Hwy 101 near the road to my hike, I spotted an Asian Buffet the as t I may need to try tomorrow after my hike. Chili size for dinner about 2100.
