We're back on the road...

Well... the blog has had a bit of a break for the past two years but that is about to change.  It became obvious that when we do these kinds of trips, we need to keep a blog because last year, as we were driving to what we thought was a new destination for us, upon arrival we realized that “hey, we’ve seen that windy road before!”.  So, it was decided then and there that we will do blogs.  Also, Grandpa Jack likes them too!  So, if someone will read this, we will write it.

We’ve done a few trips since our epic Oz/European adventure two years ago - all road trips.  This one is a long one - 4 weeks - so it deserves to be documented.

We hummed and hawed about where this trip was going to take us.  On a whim, we booked a hike in Yosemite - the Half Dome.  It’s popular and one needs a permit for it.  So we had that as an option.  Then we thought we were going to spend most of our time close to home in B.C. but the weather didn’t cooperate and we felt we needed to “find the sun”.  So, Yosemite won out.

And... find the sun we have... so far.

We left home Friday evening and spent the first night at a rest stop just before Tulalip.  It’s always hard to sleep at those but the price is right and we knew we’d be up super early to hit the road.  And, early it was.  We were driving before 5 a.m.  We made it to Portland for a repeat of what we had done on a road trip before - breakfast at the Original Pancake House.  OMG.  Delicious!  Then, a trip to the Apple Store for a treat - an iPad - without having to pay tax!  Then a long drive for another repeat visit - Valley of The Rogue State Park.  This park is just off the I-5 so it’s a good stop and if you want a campfire, you can have one.

Typical "Road Trip" Position

Glad to be at The Valley of The Rogue State Park

We got an early stop but didn’t drive too far before we came upon Castle Crags State Park in Northern California.  We got a nice spot right on the Sacramento River and, of course, we got ourselves wet.  It was a nice score for $25.  Not as good of a deal as the Oregon Park where for $19 you get a spot plus free showers.

David trying to feel the effects of a mineral pool at Castle Crags State Park.  Yes... he was able to get out of the pool.

Sylvie enjoying the great outdoors.

The third night we decided to treat ourselves and we stayed in the Hampton Inn in Lodi (voted the best Hampton in California - and for good reason).  It was stinky hot there so we spent the rest of the day in their outdoor pool - which we had to ourselves.

Couldn't get these guys out of the pool...

Today is the 4th day and we are now in Yosemite getting ready for the Half Dome Hike.  I gotta admit, I’m a little nervous.  It sounds like it could be challenging - we’re all in reasonable shape - but it is bloody hot (knocking on the 100 degree mark) so I’m not sure how that will pan out.  Our plan is to get up super, super early and drive to the trail head (which is 45 minutes away from where we are camping) and get an early start.

The beauty of Yosemite

Next report will be about our hike.  If there are no further entries, we’re lost somewhere in Yosemite’s backcountry.

Sylvie says:

Hello!!

It’s Sylvie and I am really excited to tell you about our so far 5 day adventure! First we started at the lame rest stop as a girl I deserve better I mean the was a light blaring at moms face and it was kind of hard to get to sleep before we went to sleep mom asked me to open my sleeping bag and it was had the smell of mold thanks to Adam after port eau cove mom washed it and Adam put it in when it was wet. Anyway the next day we went to valley of the rogue and it was pretty nice i had a much better sleep! there is not much to say about that place though. Next we went to castle crags state park it was quite nice we wanted to and get something from the close gas station but that backfired because dad and Adam almost got attacked by a dog. then we went back to the car and drove up to the gas station instead and then we heard about these rock slides but we couldn’t find them so we just went to a different place where we could go swimming.the next day we stayed at a hilton hotel we stayed in the awesome pool for about 5 hours i still wasn’t water logged at all we also got a chance to watch some of the Olympics. Today we didn’t do much. I took this halarious video of Adam spilling water on himself. We think he had a bit too much to drink so check out the video!!  Editors note:  Gotta figure out how to make video smaller before I can upload.  Stay tuned.


CIAO FOR NOW!!