The Last Road Trip

Day 27: (August 23) Santa Fe, NM --Indian Market

2015-08-29T10:20:00.001-07:00

Today we hit the famous "Indian Market" taking place around the Plaza and about 4 blocks from our place..the world's largest and oldest event of Native American arts. I avoided it when I lived here...but now, as toursits, we throw ourselves in to the experience!

There is Native dancing and music as well.

And, the best thing of all....Navajo Tacos!! (Kinda tacos on frybread..and of course with the great New Mexico red or green chile)!

I do buy a beaded necklace that was relatively affordable and "called to me" across the market:

Exhausted from all the walking and excitment, we head to the famous "Ten Thousand Waves"..a Japanese bathhouse in the mountains above Santa Fe. We have a traditional Japanese dinner sitting on the floor and a private hottub soak, sauna and cold plunge underneath the pines. A perfect end to a great day.

Sorry, no photos of us in the actual bath! You have to experience that for YOURSELVES!!

Day 26: (august 22) Mesa Verde NP, CO to Santa Fe, NM

2015-08-28T10:20:00.001-07:00

The familial roles are starting to break down. My mother won't get out of bed this morning..

Ha Ha. After breakfast at the almost deserted National Park Far View Lodge Cafeteria, we hit the road. We traverse East through the Colorado towns of Durango and Pagosa Springs before dropping down to New Mexico and following the Rio Grande down to Santa Fe. We stop for lunch at an old hotel/tavern "Fosters Hotel" across the train station in Chama, NM.

This is home the Cumbres-Toltec Narrow Gauge steam railroad that I believe still runs to Durango. We actually see the heaps of coal and watch as a soot-covered man in overalls moves the train up to fill it with water from the largest and oldest still-in-use- water tower in the US.

A few hours later, we arrive in Santa Fe and are instantly in love with the darling historic place we have rented on (the) Old Santa Fe Trail through Airbnb.

Mama and I walk over to the Plaza and endulge in those great margaritas from the historic La Fonda Hotel. I only like margaritas here...and I get at least one whenever I'm in town.

Santa Fe is the oldest capitol and the oldest European settlement in the US...and it is also a beautiful place filled with magic.

As it did for me, I hope Santa Fe provides a magical backdrop for my daughter coming of age in this special place.

Day 25: (August 21) Park City, UT to Mesa Verde National Park, CO

2015-08-25T08:15:00.001-07:00

Back on the road today! Taking my mom to Santa Fe with us to celebrate and support Grace as she begins college. Yeah!

Feels good to drive on and explore new roads again. We drive through Arches and Canyonlands National Parks...lunch in Moab. First time for all of us on this highway. HOT!

We are staying that night at Far View Lodge..the only hotel in Mesa Verde National Park. Oh...we saw a black bear driving in the Park! I love National Park Hotels..usually reasonable and there is nothing like staying inside the actual park/wilderness. And I love the funky kitschy atmosphere of NP lodges...most built in the 50s and 60s. Here is our view.

We had booked a tour of the famous Cliff Palace Anasazi (Native American) ruins at sunset. (My great planning.) Wewere the only 10 people in the whole place. Magical, beautiful, resonating.

Driving back to the lodge in the park we saw a huge buck and does...earlier wild turkeys. Dinner at the lodge with a southwestern flavor. Green Chili is now on the menu becasue we are close to New Mexico. Some wine and a great night's sleep before we drive to Santa Fe tomorrow. Buena Noche!

Days 20-24 (August 17-20) Misc Park CIty, Utah

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It has been nice spending a week at my mother's house. No matter how old you are or where your mother lives, you always feel at home in the house of your dear mother. For that I am grateful.

I have been doing much of my legal work at a desk these last days. Not too fun to post about. Here are some highlights of the days.

Went to historic Main Street in Park City for dinner and ice cream with Grace and my niece, Jennifer. Park City is a great little town..not too hip, outdoorsy and historic.

Drove with my step-dad Robert to Salt Lake (in a convertible) to meet my mom for dinner and the movie "Amy." Fun!

The movie was a documentary about Amy Winehouse. It was pretty good, but thought it would be better. It does make me think about the duties we as consumers of music have to the artists. We demand so much of them. Speaking of which, I went to see Justin Townes Earle in Park City. He is Steve Earle's son....who I really like and I just saw in San Diego. Actually I got to stand in the very first row for Justin Townes Earle's performance (a first!)

I don't like it when people yell out to the performer what songs they want to hear. It is the performer's gift of art to us...how can you tell an artist what to do? It ceases to be art.

Finally, although I did a lot of desk work here, I also took time to exercise. Either walking, running or at the very nice gym at my Mom's clubhouse. Here is the view from the clubhouse gym:

Sadly, the last couple of days here have been marred with a layer fo smoke that has blown in fromall the fires in Oregon and California. But we are off to Colorado and New Mexico on the 21st so we hope to find blue skies again. Updates to follow!

Day 19: (Sunday 8/16) Deer Valley Ski Resort, Utah

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We went to the Talisker Tower on the mountain of the Deer Valley Ski Resort for a late breakfast and took a hike up and through the ski runs and other trails there.

Beautiful, great weather. It was very strange to walk up grassy hills that I previously had only skied down and when those trails were covered with snow!

Day 18: (Saturday 8/15 Tuhaye Clubhouse, Park City and Deer Valley Utah

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Grace and I did a TRX workout this morning at the Tuhaye Clubhouse (the club in the development where my mother lives). It uses your body wieight and bands tied to the wall for resistence. It was pretty good..hard but not too hard. I like to mix up workout routines...you don't get bored. Wish I had a picture of the workout. But here is a picture of afterwards at the clubhouse pool where we relax in the sun with a mimosa (only I had the mimosa).

Grace, my niece Jennifer and I then went to Park City town and saw National Lampoon's "Vacation" (the remake). It got bad reviews but I liked it and laughed a lot...I even snorted soda out my nose at one point. It took themes of the original but twisted them. The film successfully walked the line between a crazy dysfunctional family that has a terrible time on vacation and a family that despite everything still cares about each other and makes it work...classic National Lampoon Vacation style.

Finally, went with my mom and her husband Robert to the Deer Valley concert series. You picnic, drink wine and hear some good music...first they had a classical violinist perform the Four Seasons (Vivaldi's) and then a talented jazz trumpeter...with a very entertaining repertoire..and jazz singer..rock and roll violinist and probably the most incredible drum solo I have ever seen. A very nice evening.

There was a Dylan cover band playing in a bar on Park City Main Street...I almost went after the Deer Valley concert ..but couldn't get tickets on line and thought they would be sold out. Mother always says there is too much to do here..I believe her! Good night!

Day 17: (Friday 8/14 Park City, Utah)

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I spend most of the day working. I am very grateful to have the ability to work pretty much anywhere.

In the afternoon, we went with Grace and my niece Jennifer to the clubhouse to workout and relax inthe "cuzzi". Even though this pic is post-workout at the spa with no make up, you can see they are beautiful girls.

The highlight of the evening was my mom chasing the deer out of her yard. I guess they eat her flowers..

The video is great..(expletives deleted):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4ronj45Tds

Good night!

Day 16: (Thursday august 13, 2015) Weber Valley, Utah

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Last minute horse back ride plan at the Stillman Ranch in Weber Valley....9,000 acre private ranch.

We rode through creeks, over rivers, through forests, up small mountains and through aspen groves for two hours. All underneath the beautiful Utah summer sky.

Afterwards, a shared malt at a legit 1937 diner trucked from Rhode Island to the middle of podunk Utah..amazing what the backroads reveal.

A nice evening with family...playing guitar on the porch with wine and the sunset... while the girls play Jenga.

A beautiful day...full of adventure and lovely family.

Day 15: (Wednesday August 12) Park City

2015-08-13T19:28:00.001-07:00

Hubby Jerry and my step-daughter Makayla came in last night. Today we woke up and went to the small town next door, Kamas, Utah, to get fishing licenses. Stopped by the Mirror Lake Diner for lunch..diners rock!

First stop was the Jordanelle Reservoir to fish....turned out to be a bit of a hike down to the water, but it was beautiful.

I read some of my work while Jerry and Makayla fished. Caught 4...Jerry kept two large bass.

As typical in the high mountains, the thunderheads rolled in during the afternoon. So we packed up and went home.

Changed clothes and away we went to the Iron & Wine concert at Park CIty Live....Jerry, me and my sister Sara.

Iron & Wine is the stage name for Sam Beam..a charismatic singer/songwriter. It was sold-out and a great crowd. Check out his somg Trapeze Swinger. My new year's resolution was to hear more live music...it is a great resolution to keep. Home at midnight!

Day 14: Tuesday (Kamas, Utah)

2015-08-13T12:08:00.001-07:00

Arrived at my mother's house..she lives in Kamas, outside of Park City. I had to spend most of the day catching up on work inside. Grace and her cousin Jennifer (who lives with my mom and her husband, Robert) went to the development's clubhouse to swim, workout and just play.

I thought I would use this day's post to mention a few things I have learned on the road trip thus far.

SATELLITE RADIO: Not all that great. When I first got this car, I had visions of miles and miles of the perfect music as I drove through our country's grand states. I thought it would be like Pandora I guess, without the streaming fees. Not so. There is not a channel that "gets me." There are a few that sometimes plays the music I like but no single channel that does and often no channel plays something I like. It is nice when you are in podunk nowhere..no radio channels and you need to hear something different. Apart from that, the best thing to do is to make a great "road trip" playlist before you leave and download it on your phone. I did this on the fly in Mendocino, Ca...It is pluggged to play through my car stereo and I go back and forth between that and satellite. All in all, there is nothing like the "convergence" of the perfect song, the perfect stretch of highway and the mindset that you are going somewhere great and enjoying the ride there. Damn close to happiness.

WATER BOTTLES: Yes, I am healthy and drink a lot of water..almost as much as I drink coffee.(: And you should always be hydrated...helps keep you awake on long drives. In small mom&pop lodgings and in environmentally conscious places, you cannot always "buy" a water bottle. And the tap water might be questionable ..or even might taste bad. So one of the best things Grace and I brought on our road trip are these Britta water bottles:

It has a built in filter....you just fill it up, screw the top/filter back on and as you drink it, it filters the water. The water flows through the filter a tad slowly, so you cannot chug water in these. But if you keep it full, it can be your "go to"water on any drive. Great invention for traveling...I think I got two of them at the "sale" shelf at Ralphs.

So we are here in Utah for about 10 days...with some side trips and adventures in this beautiful country to share. Ciao bellas!

Day 13: (Monday 8/10) Boise, Id to Park City, Utah

2015-08-11T22:53:00.001-07:00

Today was a classic road trip day. We left Boise following the Oregon Trail. We stopped at Glenn's Ferry --the famous 3 Island Crossing where the wagon trains crossed the Snake River. It was a dangerous crossing and many died.

We stopped by the state park visitor's center there...Grace and I were the only ones...so we got a private tour of everything in the "interpretive exhibits". Four generations of my family (inlcuding me) were baptised in a gown brought by covered wagon across the Oregon trail. Crazy to think my ancestors walked and struggled along the same path we were driving. You can still see the wagon wheel tracks on the hills.

We continue on....in the vicinity of where Napoleon Dynamite was filmed.

There's a sign to stop and "feed the alpacas" ..that is isolated, with a fierce wind blowing and nothing around it. So we stop and "feed the alpacas" and get gas. Notice the window that says "Welcome to the Middle of Nowhere."

Almost two hours later, we are still in the "Middle of Nowhere" but there is a sign for food at next exit (you know those blue signs with a knife and a fork.). It is 2:oo p.m...blood sugar low so we stop. Two old diners...we chose the oldest one and sit at the counter.

The waitresses have been there almost twenty years...the diner is over 100 years old. We heard all the town gossip. Old timers come in in overalls with their wife to have a piece of pie. Others in jeans and suispenders sit at the counter with only a soda and chat with the waitress, The waitress explains to us they had a run on pie yesterday so nothing but raisin was available today. I wish we had enough guts to take pictures of the people in the diner. Lesson:always eat at old diners and always sit at the counter.

Last stop is Ogden Utah for a drive- through Americano. We are in the habit of looking up on Grace's Phone by internet the best coffee place in whatever town we happen to be in the afternoon. All mom& pop places...everyone super friendly. Allows us a nice quick insight into the local people...then we are on the road again. We arrive at my mom's house in Park City just in time for dinner and a rainbow over the Heber Valley.

Day 12: (Sunday 8/10) Last Day Boise, ID

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The thrill of running across subtle cultural differnces when you travel. At the "Stinker" gas station, they have a vending machine for live bait. Seriously.

This evening we went to the Single A Minor League Baseball Game with...the Boise Hawks! Here is Mia and me with mascot Humphrey the Hawk!

If you don't like baseball, go to a minor league game, it will change your mind. How baseball is supposed to be..nice real grass, families, cheap seats close to the action, affordable beer and hotdogs, friendly fans and silly games, songs and contests at every possible lull in the game.

One of the games between innings here was the "potato product" race....kids dress up in one of three foam "potato product" costumes and race around the bases: a french fry, a "spud" and I think they said a "gem" (I think it was like a tater tot). The french fry won ( the announcer said the french fry always wins) ...potato fun in Idaho! The Hawks lost ..I guess the Hawks are in last place but it was a great last evening appreciating the small town style of Boise. We are off to Park City tomorrow. Buona Notte!

Day 11: (Saturday 8/8)Ketchum/Sun Valley, Idaho

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Today we do a day trip drive of about 3 hours to Ketchum, Idaho and the resort there, Sun Valley. This is a bucket list ítem for me. Ernest Hemingway wrote, lived and died there. I have loved Hemingway for a long time. When I was young, his writings captured the experience of living in other parts of the world, travel and seeing beauty and peace in simpler things and expereinces. When I got older, his works became my standard and inspiration for concise and powerful legal writing. "A Moveable Feast" is one of my favorite books. I could keep it in a drawer and read any one paragraph and take myself back to where I wanted to be..not only Paris but that mental state where you "see" things as they are and it is good.

Ketchum is in the Sawtooth Mountain range, founded in the 1800s by a miner.

First stop, a memorial to Hemingway on a creek where he must have fished.

Grace and I then enjoyed the scenery with a quiet hike on a nearby trail.

Thunder clouds were rolling in and out...

Finding directions on an internet site, we found Hemingway's grave. I left my pen for him there (others left coins).

Grace put it best. Hemingway has always been an icon..a force...a demi-God that has changed our lives. When visiting his grave, it made a tightness in your chest to sense he was a real man and buried in the ground under your feet. Even more unnerving when you remember he shot himself in his home just across the road.

We tried to get a glimpse of Hemingway's home per web instructions. It is closed to the public. We could never see it through all the trees. That's alright. Leave some mystery for the man.

Afterwards we hit the coolest Starbucks ever...there in Ketchum. Live acoustic guitar, beer, wine, soaring logs as architecture, a kids play area with toys and a public meeting room. Ketchum was like a bigger and more wealthy Idyllwild. It was nice, but the Starbucks made me want to live there!

Ate dinner at a Chinese restaurant in yet another small town on the way home. We have eaten and had coffee at so many differnet ma&pa places in small towns, it is a strange feeling. Both you and the people there know you are just passing through and will never see them again. Yet they are so polite to you...it is like as a traveler you are clearly and truly a "guest" not a customer. It is something primal in most cultures...the rule you must treat "guests" well..whereas being nice to customers is more of a modern commercial motivation. I am so grateful for all the "kindness to strangers" given to us on this trip. They welcome us into their lives for only a short moment.

Ciao.

Day 10: Boise (8/7 Friday)

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Today we took my daughter Mia to open her first bank account. She was completely estatic when she found out she could get a Disney Princess ATM card (seriously). Kids growing up fast ...but in some ways only I guess.

We then rented bikes and rode the Boise "Greenbelt": about 25 miles of trails, parks and open space following the Boise River. You saw a lot of town, landscape, dogs and people. It was beautiful.

We rode for about 3 hours! Almost the whole trail..our booties were sore. Afterwards Grace and I ate some really good Italian food at da Vinci Restaurant in the little town of Eagle where Mia lives (just outside Boise proper.)

It is in a building that was the old Eagle Bank. Sadly, it folded in the Depression, after paying back every dollar deposited by its customers. LIke most bank buildings that failed in the depression (per the sign I read), it became a bar. Half the restaurant is still a bar (with music on some days), the other part is full of famlies eating great food, fresh and big portions. I am also sure it tasted really good becasue of our prior 3 hour bike ride! Tomorrow we drive to Ketchum/Sun Valley for the day...hiking and visitingthe Hemingway sites. Arrivederci!

Day 9: (8/6 Thursday) Boise

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Today was our first "free" day. Got everything cleaned up and recharged:

My car detailed (things get really bad when you live out of it for 7 days):

My hair done:

And Caffeinated at a cool coffeehouse in the Linen District of downtown Boise:

Outisde of the coffeehouse there were bicycles that, when you pedaled, played different kinds of music (xylophones, drums etc).

Oh, and bought some fresh corn from a young girl out of pick up truck who was selling it raise money for college (grown in her uncle's fields!).

Boise--a crazy blend of mid-west country and west-coast cool. Lovin' it!

Day 8: (Wed.8/5) Boise, ID

2015-08-05T23:07:00.001-07:00

Finished up registration for Mia at Boise State. Got my Boise State Bling...

Explored historic downtown Boise. Reminds me of downtown San Diego...same architecture..not so happening yet...but it wants to be. Climate seems like SD..warm but with a moist breeze that here blows in off the river (versus off the bay). People casual and friendly..like in San Diego...perhaps more friendly here.

Had lunch at "Pita Pit"..Mia says this is unique and popular in this part of the country. Kinda like a less-commerical Subway but sandwiches made with pita bread instead (they ask you, "whole wheat or white?").

Grace took this picture below and said "look who are the real twins!"

Worked out at the gym with Mia and Grace in the afternoon. A chill dinner at home with healthy stuff we bought at Whole Foods yesterday. Sat outside in the evening and practiced my guitar with a bottle of hard cider. At the end of this 30-day road trip, I might really improve. Love traveling with my guitar....think I should get some stickers for the case to record all the places we have been. Hasta Manana Amigos!

DAY 7: (Tues August 4) Boise, Idaho

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The reason for our trip to Idaho! Mia's Orientation at Boise State.

We loved the campus...Boise River runs through it...the weather was warm with a breeze.

The people were nice and the school seems like a perfect school for my daughter Mia....mid-size, caring, lots of opportunities and a great location.

We learned about the school...and all it offers. And we even caught Mia making friends already! (that's her to the left of the tree).

Despite enjoying multiple shots of espresso at two different coffeehouses on campus...we were all exhusted after the day's activities. Got dinner to go at the Whole Foods salad/hot food bar and came home. Mia registers for her classses tomorrow and we have a few more oreintation meetings. Then we will have more time to explore Boise. So far, it seems like a great place....kinda like Southern California..casual, outdoorsy and a bit hip. And weather kinda mild...good skiing at Bogus Basin (that's seriously the name) 45 minutes away. I am happy for my daughter to have found a good place to go to college!

Day 6 (Monday 8/3): Portland, Or to Boise, Idaho

2015-08-03T21:57:00.001-07:00

Leaving Portland. Grace and I got up early to workout before our long car ride today...gonna be about 8 hours. It really helps.

Then we sampled some of Portland's famous coffee, "Stumptown"..nice people, beautiful coffee.

Bought a pound of their "hair bender" espresso! (GRace thought it said "Air Bender"- pretty powerful name either way.)

Took the scenic byway along the Colombia River Gorge on I-84E..divides Washington State from Oregon...lots of waterfalls. (I've been taking a lot of the scenic byways...always running off the main highway..makes for longer driving days, but hey, it's the memories you make.)

Lunch in Pendleton, Oregon at the Main Street Diner. Grace and I shared a vanilla malt.

Turns out this is the original place of Pendleton Mills with the famous blankets and jackets! They moved the company here in the 1800s because it was good to be near all the sheep that gave them their wool. We got Grace a Pendleton blanket for her new home/dorm in Santa Fe....hopefully it will be a treasured heirloom for years to come.

Finally made Idaho!! Complete with potatoes growing...

And most importantly, uniting again with my beautiful daughter Mia!

Tomorrow Boise State Orientation for Mia and us....and first day of NO DRIVING!! xxoo

Day 6: Keeping it Real

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When your daughter tells you all the street musicians are better than you are..or likely ever will be. ):

Day 5: (sunday August 2) Eugene Or to Portland Or

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Slept in a bit because we have a short drive to Portland today (2.5 hours). Went to the world famous Voodoo Doughnuts in Eugene ....line out the door...ordered the "voodoo"..a human shaped donut filled with red jelly. It comes with a pretzel to "voodoo stick" the donut..and make it bleed red jelly.

The best chocolate doughnut I've ever had!

Drove to Portland to see a friend Jamie, who I have known since she was 8 years old. She has a beautiful 19 month old daughter, Leyla, who I got to meet for the first time. Played in Mt. Tabor Park, filled with trees and green grass.

Another trip to Dutch

Staying at a historic hotel in downtown Portland, now run by Embassy Suites. Always choose historic hotels when I can. (The White Eagle..a haunted former brothel was sold out!)

Strange to be in a large fancy hotel after the funky ma & pa places we enjoyed on the coast. Walked a bit around downtown Portland....wish we had more time here to explore.

Lots of food trucks, music, and it appears the original Voodoo Doughnoughts..the line was so long when we drove by, we thought it was a rock concert people were lining up for!

We drive to Boise tomorrow to see my daughter Mia and go to her college orientation at Boise State on Tuesday. About a 6.5 hour drive..Grace and I plan to get up ealry and get a bit of a workout before we have to sit in the car so long. Think I'm going to listen to my audiobook "Zen & the Art ofMotorcycle Maintenance" tomorrow. Think it will be a good road trip book. Looking forward to more Dutch Bros tomorrow too!

Hasta Manana!

Day 4: Trinidad, Ca to Eugene, OR Part 2

2015-08-02T00:37:00.001-07:00

On our way to Eugene... We have learned we DEFINIETLY need coffee in the afternoon. We have seen these little drive thru "Dutch Bros Coffee" Huts....

We decided to try the one in Roseburg, OR.....So we drove up and told the people we are on a road trip from Southern California and what should we try? Anyhow, these really nice people gave us two FREE Dutch Bros Coffee Specials! Yummy! They said everyone gets their first Dutch Bros coffee for free...don't know whether this is really "a thing" or not. But the coffee drink was great....and the people there were so friendly and cool!

Finally made Eugene...sufficeintly caffienated and loving free-wheeling Oregon and it's nice people (despite the smoke in the sky from the many fires here and in Norcal). Met a good friend Hattie and her boys for dinner (who used to live in the desert.)

Tried a sampler of Eugene's micro brews with dinner..and walked around the hip downtown here. Staying downtown at the Timbers Motel...gonna hit Voodoo donute here in the morning. Going to Portland OR tomorrow...Good night!

Day 4: Trinidad CA to Eugene Oregon part 1

2015-08-02T00:04:00.001-07:00

We are in Trinidad, CA. A quieter and smalled community north of Eureka (which I didn't like so much). After 3 days in the car, Grace and I needed some exercise..so we took a morning walk along wooded narrow roads to view the sea over the cliffs. Most of the sea is over the cliffs in NorCal!

Even found some wild blackberries for

breakfast.

On way to Eugene, we pulled over into the roadside attraction:"Trees of Mystery." You walk an interpretative trail through the redwoods then ride a gondola through the canopy. It is quite a different experience to walk through these giant trees versus driving past them.

Midnight Thought...on the eve of day 4...

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Day 3: Point Arena, Ca to Trinidad, CA

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Woke up, explored the lighhouse grounds and took a tour of the lighthouse. Until 2008, it took 4 fulltime keepers to keep it running. Hence, the four "keepers houses" that they rent out now--one of which we stayed in last night. In 2008, it became more automated. It still functions and saves lives!

The view from up top:

Enjoyed the beautiful drive along the coast and had lunch at the Mendocino Hotel. About 35 years ago, I tasted my first lobster there with my grandparents.

The town of Mendocino does a good job walking that line between tourism and relevance. Grace and I bought some banana bread from two young girls having a bakesale and then we hit the road again.

Drove the Redwood Highway...beautiful, and winding, dark and prehistoric.

We had some fun with the famous "drive through tree" ...luckily the nice man behind us watched and told us at the last minute we wouldnt make it through with the carrier on top...so we had to back out. But we still got a cool photo.

Arrived at Arcata (past Eureka) and explored the town for our good friend Sierra who is going to Humbolt State there. Funky little small town...thank God they had a coffeehouse! We ate across the street

then enjoyed the open mike session at the coffeehouse...quite a lot of talent there! Definitely a hip college vibe. Up the road just a bit further to stay at Trinidad, CA. It is foggy and drizzling on the coast here! Headed to Oregon tomorrow. Ciao.

Day Two Cont..

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Now we have to get around San Francisco. Google Maps keeps sending me further East, apparantly to avoid traffic. So we end up clear in Vallejo.....Note to self and all road-trippers: Do NOT drive past 4 p.m. without afternoon coffee or some form of sugar/caffine for everyone in the car. Trust me on this.

Finally Starbucks in Santa Rosa..SANCTUARY! And back on the 101 North.

We pass through Anderson Valley...where I graduated from high school. A beautiful place...whose rural power became a formative part of my coming of age. Grace says she would like to live here.

After visiting my old high school (last time I was there was 35 years ago!), we travel West to the coast on a very very narrow and windy road, dark and over grown with redwoods hemlock..many times with no lines on the road at all..to Point Arena on the coast. We arrive at sunset....we are staying in the LIghhouse Keepers House...literally at the light house. They rent these to keep the (still functioning and saving lives) lighthouse active.

After making a wood fire in the stove, we cook our own dinner with groceries we bought in Anderson Valley. It has been a LONG DAY..but I still practice my guitar. (this pic is from the next morning)(;