Highway 101 through the Olympic Peninsula

After five days in Port Townsend I drove west on Hwy 101 around the Olympic Peninsula. The day was very foggy, but not really cold. This area is a rain forest and when you wave your hand through the air you can feel the moisture. Everything is wet. I stopped along the way to let Koka run and in five minutes she was soaked and my clothes were quite wet. And it wasn't raining! Just foggy!

This is a stream on one side of the highway...

...and the same stream on the other side

Cool moss -

On the coast the sun made a brief appearance. It banished the gloom of the forest, which was beginning to feel oppressive.

When I stop to think about all the places I've seen since I started this journey last June, I am so thankful. Alaska, British Columbia, the Yukon, amazing National Parks, the northwest tip of the US in Washington, and amazing California and Oregon coasts...and so many more beautiful places. How lucky I am.

Port Townsend

After New Year's I headed north to Port Townsend, one of my favorite places. I posted photos of Port Townsend on a previous post, but here are a few more. If my kids lived in this area I would most definitely make this town my home.

This fat gull sat on my camp table every morning. Scat! He finally left after I put some driftwood out. The gulls here are fat - well fed critters.

These ferries come and go all day long, taking people to Seattle and other towns in Puget Sound.

Mt Baker view from campsite -

The historic 102 year-old schooner Adventuress. She is covered because repairs are being done. I'd love to see her uncovered! Her job now is teaching children about ships, their history, and sailing. This big old schooler is a favorite with the locals.

Harbor views - you can see my camper in the center of the first photo. There is so much to see here, with boats of all sorts coming and going. The sun made an appearance for a few days. It was lovely.

Saturday morning workout

Reluctantly, I leave, and head to the 101 to circle the Olympic Peninsula. Port Townsend, I'll be back!

Continuing north...or was it south...or was it north

Time constraints dictated I head inland from the California coast to the 5 freeway. The traffic wasn't too bad, but lots of rainy weather. And snow. And wind.

Beautiful hills on the road from Cambria east to the 5 freeway. This is a beautiful area.

I stopped at a rest area for lunch - view of the California Aquaduct.

Mt Shasta, seen from the town below

Koka enjoying a bit of snow. Gotta get that dog back on a snowshoe trail...

Then it was back to the Oregon coast - I never tire of this scenery!

Rainy walk in the California redwoods

Despite the pouring rain, I decided to take a quick walk on a trail in the California redwoods area. These trees are magnificent, and I hope to camp here for a few days when the weather is dry...

1500 years old!

It was impossible to get a "whole tree" photo - the tree is too big and is closely surrounded by other large redwood trees.

Look how red this wood chunk on the ground actually is.

Holidays, and the start of a New Year

My mother's move, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Eve had me driving north and south from Grass Valley to Santa Barbara, back to Portland for Thanksgiving, to Santa Barbara for Christmas, and back to Portland for New Year's. A lot of miles, just like Willie's "On the Road Again". I no longer drive the 5 freeway if times allows me to take the 101 and the 1 highways. The scenery is spectacular and there are always new things to see, and I love the state park campgrounds.

Campsite

Trailhead near campsite

Trail

The end of the trail - it opens to a beautiful view!

Lighthouse - sorry I forget which one it is...

Bridge near Ukiah - I have crossed this bridge so many times and I finally stopped to take a pic of the bears.

Not all RV Parks, State Parks, or Campgrounds are equal...

Many of my fellow RVing friends ask me about where I like to stay, and if I have recommendations. We've all stayed in state parks that are incredibly beautiful, and private RV parks that are from hell. So here's a post with some of my favorites. In some instances I will include photos, but I'm sometimes too lazy to snap pics and download them.

When I'm on the road I stay in a mixture of state parks, private RV parks, and other types of campgrounds. If I take a look around and get bad vibes about a place, I leave. So please, trust your gut feelings and judge for yourself.

State parks are my favorite places to stay - there are so many beautiful ones!

Beaver Hills State Park, Montana
Beaver Hills State Park is along the 90 freeway near Clinton, Montana. It's very small, and I loved it. There's a beautiful river and the campsites have electrical hookups so fill your water tank before parking. There are a few tipis as well.

Jackson Rancheria RV Park (and casino), Jackson, California
This park is immaculate, and has wonderful views. The sites are large and somewhat private. When you arrive a staff member drains your tanks to rid them of chemicals that might be environmentally harmful because they recycle the water for landscape maintenance. They give you a container of safe chemicals to put into your black tank. There is a walking path, fenced dog area, putting green and swimming pool. And of course a shuttle to the casino!

Honeyman State Park, near Florence, Oregon
Love this park! Heavily treed, private sites, hookups. Path to the dunes - a favorite attraction along this stretch of Oregon coast.

Ocean Mesa RV Park, at El Capitan State Beach, just north of Santa Barbara, California
Great private park, expensive - but it's the best place to stay near Santa Barbara. Ocean views and easy walking distance to the beach. Walking path to deli at El Capitan Canyon Lodge.

Yanks RV Resort, Greenfield, California
A great place to stay along hwy 101. New park, nice sites with landscaping. There's even a dog wash!

Deerwood RV Park, near Eugene, Oregon
I stayed here while awaiting a service appointment in Junction City. The most attractive private RV park I've ever seen - owned and run by a friendly couple Mike and Sally Brown. I had a bad cold when I was here, and wasn't feeling too well. Sally called me and volunteered to go to the store if I needed anything. When I missed the call because I was walking my dog, she visited me to make sure I was ok. How sweet is that!

There are so many other places I've stayed since last June that were great, but these are the latest one that come to mind. Granted, the Beaver Hill SP in Montana was quite a while ago, but it's still on my mind because I fell in love with it. More of my favorites to come in future posts!

Almost heading south...

I am camped near Junction City, Oregon, which is about and hour and 45 minutes south of Portland. I'm awaiting a replacement cabinet door to arrive at the service department of Guaranty RV - it's on its way from Manitoba. After the work is completed I will start the journey south to Santa Barbara, where I'll spend Christmas. I promise to post photos of the trip along the 101 highway, and I'm hoping for dry weather! Stay tuned...

Meanwhile, I'm in a beautiful RV park enjoying a latte made with my Mr Coffee Latte maker.