California Trip ~ Day 1, 2 & 3

It is SO good to be home! That is a successful trip when you are not looking back thinking "Oh, I wish it could have gone on longer" Nope. We are done. It was great. I am going to post a little each day as I took over 309 pictures(don't worry I will spare you) and I am wading through them for our album. Yikes.

By the way, the Lord graciously answered our prayer and though Daniel had the flu the first 24 hours of traveling it just went away and no one else ever became sick. That just doesn't happen.





Wednesday, Day 1 - We left Wednesday night after dinner at 6:30 pm. We made it to Salem, Or at 1:30am and put down anchor in a good ole Walmart parking lot. Most Walmarts offer free RV overnight parking, so we are well acquainted with Walmarts around the West Coast! Hit the road Thursday morning. We kept driving to nap times. As soon as the little ones got antsy we pulled over and hit a city park for a good hard play.





This picture says it all. How do two parents survive a trip of over 1000 miles with 6 children? Espresso and Jonathan Park played on the Ipod through the van stereo. It kept even Gracie listening to the action. We went through 2 full albums!





Thursday, Day Two - Driving and stopping. We were impulsive. If we saw a beach or anything interesting we pulled over and jumped on it. It was so great to "just do it". The above picture is a forest fire near the I-5 coming in to Sutherlin, Or.





A very familiar sign on the Redwood Highway! We pulled more hills and our van did so well. Never a hitch in her giddyup.





Dutch Brothers! We have heard of these these quaint coffee stands from other Lyndenites. Dutch Bros is a popular stand throughout Cali and Or. They blend their own espresso and it is nothing like anything I have had before. Very tasty! Needless to say, we were loyal customers if one was in town.





We made it!! We had to stop at the sign amidst all the whoops and hollers that we made it to Cali! The kids think they are something special now! Two nice, um, young California men took this picture for us.





Highway 101 is gorgeous. We love it. Isn't this great? Did I mention our weather from Oregon to home stayed around 80 degrees every day? We were in a couple 90's, but it was nice.





Here the kids and I had to jump out on this beach and play, it was too postcard-ish not to. The waves crashing we so loud we had to yell to communicate.

A new game "Wave Running"

Friday, Day 3 - Stayed in Crescent City, Ca. Highlights of the day - seeing huuuge redwoods, beaches, elk heard by road, Gracie tumbled out of the trailer and buggered her nose.

Paul Bunyan and Babe at the Trees of Mystery. Paul even talked to the kids, waved his hand and made Babe do tricks. Nice gift shop and tours.

After the announcement we had passed the sign "Entering the City of Fortuna" This is their response...we made it!

We made to the S's home in Fortuna. Got all set up and relaxed....