We spent Memorial weekend in Mill Valley, just outside of San Francisco, catching up with one of Joe's oldest friends, Pk.  It was a blast!  Unfortunately we had just a short visit with Pk's wife, Laura, who ironically had a trip scheduled back to Seattle for her sister's birthday (happy birthday Rachel!).  

Pk and Laura live in an incredibly beautiful place.  Just at the base of Mt. Tamalpais and towering over the Muir Woods, with a sneak peak of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge (from the right angle).   They live at the trail head.  We hiked miles all weekend long!  From deep into the woods where we found ourselves at a German bar that you can only get to by foot (amazing? absolutely.) to the highest peak of Mt. Tamalpais.

The view from the lookout at Mt. Tamalpais.  

Enjoying beer in the forest.  The bar was packed!  

A few pitchers later, we're ready to keep on trekking!  

It was such a pleasure to catch up with Pk and relax all weekend.  Did we make it to San Francisco?  Well... no, not this time around.  But that's ok, we know we'll be back!  Pk, thanks for your generous hospitality and make sure to give Taymu a giant hug for us.  

And then we were off to Yosemite!

Breathtaking.

Millions of people travel to Yosemite.  The park is packed (and for great reason).  Campsites are well booked in advanced and once you get there (if you're lucky enough to reserve a spot... we were) they are stacked on top of each other.  Not to mention the camp rangers.  Whoa!  Campfires must be out by 10pm sharp and all food containers (including anything that may resemble a wrapper or container inside your car) must be properly stored away for bear safety.  Makes sense, of course.  On our first night we stepped away from our smoldering fire (for what felt like five minutes) to allow it to simmer a little more before putting it out with water when suddenly we got the loudest knock on our camper door!  Cops?  No, it was a ranger scolding us for being irresponsible with our fire and for leaving a single beer bottle on the ground.  There were seriously about sixty other campers within fifty feet of us.  Nothing was going to happen.  She seemed to find great pleasure in threatening us with a $375 fine and reminding us of the rules.  She was very, VERY thorough.  

But after you get past the rules and crowds you understand exactly why everyone, from everywhere, travel in this direction.  It is absolutely jaw-dropping beautiful.  We started our adventure with a fourteen mile hike up to 9,926 feet called Clouds Rest.  At 1000 feet above Half Dome, you felt as if you were on top of the world.  The views were outstanding and much earned.  And unlike the shorter hikes beginning in the valley, we had the place to ourselves.  

That being said, views from the valley were equally stunning.

Our good friend, Adam Fream, began his three day climb up the face of Half Dome while we were in town.  We unfortunately were unable to see him off, but it was great fun knowing he was climbing that beast while we were hiking around it.  We look forward to hearing his stories!  

The next day, we started from the valley and did a very popular hike (shorter, but equally as challenging) up to Nevada Falls.  We gained about 1900 feet in 3.5 miles.  Again, gorgeous!  

Yosemite was one of those destinations we knew we had to see but were skeptical to stay because of the crowds.  We came, we hiked, we wanted more.  Embrace the crowds and get off the beaten track and you will be planning your next visit as we are right now.  

We love Bend.  Period.  Hip town, cool people, great breweries, gorgeous landscape... It was hard to leave.  We camped, FREE, for two nights along the Cascade Lakes Highway.  The third night was spent at a great campsite along the Deschutes River 30 miles south of Bend, where Oregon's largest Ponderosa Pine is located!  

After a great weekend of hiking and biking, we headed towards the California coast, with a small detour to Crater Lake.  It was windy, snowy and damn cold.  So, our visit was brief but well worth the effort.  

Our next three days were spent in the Redwoods, which was beyond magnificent.  We arrived late(ish) the first night and tucked away for the evening deep in the Jedediah Smith State Park.  It felt like a fairy tale.  Trees were ENORMOUS and the moss was thick.  It was dark, yet only green, damp and lush.  

We woke early and continued on south to find ourselves at Gold Bluffs Beach Campground.  It was a six mile rugged, unpaved, steep, windy road to arrive (RV's and trailers prohibited), which of course translates into super awesome.  We set up shop and headed out on foot for an incredible hike.  Our loop began with a mile or so of coastal hiking, followed by lush fern valleys and old growth forest.  We saw it all!  After returning, the rain grew heavy so we cozied up in our camper with a bottle of whiskey, a deck of cards and some good music.  It was a perfect day.  

The next day we continued south and drove through the Avenue of Giants.  As the name suggests, the trees were HUGE.  We attempted to get a close up of the Dodge Mahal next to one of the giants for a comparison.  

We kept on driving that day and found ourselves halfway between the Redwoods and San Francisco, camping off Highway 1.  The sunset that evening was breathtaking.  

Highway 1 is a stunning route.  And Northern California is gorgeous.  After about three days of making our way down the coast, via the steepest/windiest/zero shoulder and room for error route, we arrived to PK and Laura's!  We are looking forward to spending Memorial weekend with a few great friends!  

After a few great days of generous home cookin', truck fixin' and family catch-n-upin', we're OFFICIALLY on the road!  Although I have to say, we were getting mighty comfortable in good ol' Mica, WA...

LOTS of laughs...

Playing with Milly...

Catching up with Grandpa... 

We even attended a FHS district track meet, for old times sake!  

But after a week, it was time for us to hit the road. 

We headed south with the goal of exploring Hells Canyon, North America's deepest gorge.  Day one on the road led us to Lewiston, Idaho, where the winds were high and the road was steep!  

After making a much needed pit stop in town for a refreshing beer, we continued south to Fields Spring State Park in the furthest SE corner of Washington.  Campsites were modest and we had the place to ourselves.  With the exception of John, of course, a hilarious old guy who has traveled all over the country in a camper and found much joy in checking out the Dodge Mahal!

After a great nights sleep, we made the trek on down to the southern tip of Hells Canyon, via the town of Joseph, OR, to discover the last road needed to finalize our journey was still snowed in.  So we turned around, back tracked a little, and headed east.  Although we didn't quite make our destination, the drive alone was STUNNING!  Windy roads and deep, narrow canyons certainly made an impression and we will be back!  

We found ourselves in Bend, OR for a great weekend of relaxing and exploring.  The drive through eastern Oregon has led us through steep canyons, high desert, alpine forests, mountainous landscapes and endless, rustic cattle ranches.  It was absolutely gorgeous.  If you find yourself in eastern Oregon, head off the main road and you won't be disappointed.   

On another note, we've got the Dodge Mahal lookin' classy! 

Until next time.  

Goodbye Seattle, hello Spokane!

After months of planning, weeks of organizing, days of packing/moving/cleaning, we are finally on the road!  Moving out of a place you have called home for four years is complicated.  Certainly overwhelming, stressful and yes, a little sad.  Yet in the end the anticipation for what is about to happen next is a really, REALLY good feeling. 

First stop... Spokane, WA!  We thought we try someplace new.  We plan to spend a few days out here at Joe's folks place to regroup, relax, repack, tidy up the truck and of course spend a little time with the fam!  We had our first night sleeping in the camper last night and it was super cozy.  I only hit my head twice on the tiny ledge above the bed.  Joe has yet to be so unlucky.