We Learned Some Things

That desert highway, US 50, we drove on for 350 miles from Baker to Reno is called “the loneliest highway in America’ for a reason. Not many towns. Not much traffic. Hit or miss cell service. Very few rv parks. I look for a place to stay based on our projected itinerary for the day. After a very long, hot day, we finally pulled into Churchill County Regional Park at 8:30. No showers but it did have water & electric. AC welcomed. 

That long, hot day included a couple of interesting stops along the way. In Panguitch we saw the Quilt Walk statue commemorating the 1864 expedition where some local townspeople made a heroic winter trek across the mountains to gather supplies for a desperate community. They traveled over 40 miles, one step at a time over a quilt thrown ahead of them. And then moved the quilt for the next one step at a time. The town still celebrates the Quilt Walk annually.

In the middle of nowhere we saw a sign for the Hickison Petroglyphs. We’re game. Hiked a short path; saw a few etched petroglyphs. Greg & I agreed that they were not as impressive as the ones we saw outside of Albuquerque a few years ago, but Madison had another first.

Around 7 when I thought we were stopping for the night, we pulled into Sand Mountain Recreation Area. Cooked & ate dinner then decided we were not staying. It was Friday night and the locals were gathered for camping and 4 wheeling. Up Sand Mountain. Not a quiet proposition. Looked for the plaque noting this as a stop on the Pony Express and went in search for a place to stop. See above. Finally.

Rested well then headed to the Avenue of the Giants, the world’s most beautiful forest drive, through the Northern California redwoods. We made stops & hiked the Gould & Founder’s Groves. These trees. Some over 350’ tall. Most are 400-600 years old but a few exceeding 1,500 years old! We filled up before heading up the coast. $7.65 per gallon. Diesel has been expensive but that took our breath away!

Would be on the Pacific Coast Scenic Highway for a couple of days. This night we spent at Camp Trinidad, Trinidad, CA. We backed into a spot that overlooked the Pacific Ocean and listened as a colony of sea lions serenaded us. Had to use binoculars to actually see them but that was still pretty cool. Built a fire and had hobo dinners. This place was a bit on the glamping side and we didn’t mind one bit. Greg & I enjoyed a long soak in a hot tub and then an equally long, hot shower. Didn’t much feel like camping—in the best sort of way.

We were surprised when we got to Crater Lake by lots. of. snow! That meant that both east & west rim roads as well as trails were still closed. We oohed & ahhed at the beautiful blue water then headed on up the road.

And then we were on the Oregon Coast! Madison had specifically asked to spend time here and Hannah & Andi are here so the fact that we got here a DAY EARLY was welcomed by all. Our whole mode of operandi shifted from high to low gear. We walked among tide pools near Yachats. We toured the Tillamook Factory. We saw the Octopus Tree. We ogled at the Devil’s Punchbowl. And we are calling this trip good!

Pics here.