We left on friday to get here. Now we’re here. Quick update with very few pictures.
Friday
We left at 7:30 am for Bakersfield. The normal way to go is I-10 and various other interstates all the way. We choose to go Interstate free! Scottsdale to Wickenburg, AZ to Parker, AZ to Twentynine Palms, CA to Barstow, CA to Bakersfield. Two lanes almost all the way – no traffic, 65 mph speed limit. One glitch this trip – the road to Barstow was closed, so we had to substitute Victorville. We stopped for a picnic lunch in Joshua Tree, CA. Dinner was at a terrific Mexican seafood restaurant in Bakersfield – Nuestro Mexico. Ceviche, shrimp with poblano peppers, and Pacifico beer.
Saturday
Saturday,, unlike Friday, is all Interstate – I-5 from Bakersfield to Redding, CA. Lunch was somewhere or other at McDonald’s. Mostly sunny all the way. In Redding we stay at the Sheraton at Sundial Bridge. It’s located at the Turtle Bay Exposition Park, a very nice park area highlighted by the Sundial Bridge designed by Santiago Calatrava. There’s a nice walk through the park from the hotel, but we’ve done it several times. We skipped it this time. Elaine had a glass of wine; I had a nap. For dinner we ate at Mosaic, the restaurant connected to the hotel. We both had delicious sangria served in Moscow Mule metal cups. We also shared a Charcuterie Plate followed by a Pizza Margherita.
Sunday
After breakfast at McDonald’s, it was back on I-5 for a nice scenic drive past Shasta Lake and Mount Shasta to Eugene, OR for a brief stop at Costco. If you think you’ve ever been to a busy Costco, you have never been to the one in Eugene. There’s a line of cars to get into the parking lot. We parked a LONG way from the entrance. At the food court there was a line of 50+ people waiting to order. If you wanted a rotisserie chicken, the line was 100+ long. Fortunately there was no line for wine which is why we stopped. We got a case of Willamette pinot noir and got the hell out of Dodge. The sun was shining brightly when we got to the condo at 4:00. We unloaded, made a quick grocery run to Chester’s Market, and settled in on the balcony for cocktails and cheese and crackers. Dinner was at home – chicken and Caesar salad.
Click on the gallery below to bring up a scrollable window with full size pictures – the gallery preview may show just thumbnails of the pictures. By the way, the pictures look much better on a tablet or a computer than they do on your phone. Just saying.
Yes, the Seahawk chairs we brought here many moon ago are still here!
Back tomorrow.
Looks like you’re settling in nicely! Have fun guys!
Welcome back to your home-away-from-home in the US. Jeff and I were just saying that we ought to see a blog post soon. Yay. I think it’s great that you avoid interstates when you can. Back roads are so much more relaxing and scenic.
Great photo of you, Elaine, on the balcony. You look so relaxed. Is that a fan or a fly swatter?
Glad to see the Seahawk chairs are still there. I was going to ask about them.
Enjoy.
Flies.
That is such a nice condo. Great views. AND you’re back, and your blog, HOORAY! Have a super time and enjoy.
I was thinking that I should soon see a post from “on the road”
I love the Oregon coast and hope to get there again.
Love the pictures!
Well welcome back Sue, cuz Jan and Barb. Hope you all are enjoying the end of summer . My favorite time is fall, so I am very happy it will be here soon.
Glad you and Elaine are safe and sound Joe. I love the ocean and am jealous you are there. We have been to Twenty Nine Palms. Sorry you were a week later, as Tracey and Beau were there at Morning Dove earlier. Maybe someday we can all meet there.
Enjoy your beautiful views!
Believe me or not, was thinking about you two while taking our morning walk yesterday, that it must be about that time—for your fall West Coast trip! And voila, there was your first travel post, waiting for me when I got back! Hope it’s as enjoyable, rejuvenating, and perfect as always, and that you’re both as happy and well as we can be these days! Living in this dangerous political nightmare is dragging even the most optimistic of us down. Be well😘
Maryvd