Friendly Bend

Spending some quality down time in Bend and staying put over the Memorial Day holiday. We came to Bend to meet with friend and stock broker Doug Graeber. We had a nice dinner at a little fish shack, we feasted on fish nachos and sushi. How's that for a combo?

The weather for the most part has been cold and over cast. Taking a lot of little day trips around the area. They have mountains, volcanoes and plenty of rivers. Wish it was sunnier, most of the pictures do not do the snow capped peaks justice. We also learned how to tell the difference between the chipmunks and squirrels in the area. They almost look identical with one difference. You'll have to come to Bend and find out for yourself.

From Bend area

The town of Bend itself is very pretty, they have really done up the area around the Deschutes river. Lots of nice trails and pretty shopping area. Nice dog park too where the dogs can even go swimming in the river. Everything looks spanking brand new. They are also into roundabouts at the intersections. For minute there, we thought we were in New Zealand and almost went the wrong direction.

We checked out the fancy and over priced Crown Villa RV park ( $60 a night and up to $80 for the holiday) but opted for the more reasonable priced Scandia RV park. Nice park and I can walk to Starbucks and a Fred Meyers store! It was my first Fred Meyer experience - they are a cross between a Sears, Target and Safeway all in one. Hold on to your credit card! JLS

Shasta Daisy

We spent the last few days in Lakehead near Mt. Shasta area on Lake Shasta.

Stayed at "Antlers" which is a campground\resort\marina. We are told this place and area really pops after Memorial Day. Lake Shasta is noted for being big houseboat lake supposedly more of them than Lake Powell. And I can understand why. The lake is beautiful with many little inlets that they allow camping.

However, if boating isn't your thing there are plenty of hiking, rivers and little towns that offer a lot of vistas and charm. There was a fun little hotel that was a collection of old railroad caboose cars. We had good time exploring the area. We liked it so much we stayed a few more days.

From Mt Shasta

According to the camp ground guide - they rated the RV parks higher in Redding. Just shows that what the guides rate high for looks is not the same as what I rate for looks. The parks in Redding were all off the highway and may be newer but this place has charm. And trees. Plus it is right on the water. This area has that old campground feel and there are other parks near by if you can't get into this one. We were off season so the rates were very reasonable and the area quiet - that may not be the case later in high season.

We headed out of California towards Bend, Oregon. We were going to stay few days at Crater Lake National park near the north entrance but decided to turn around and continue on since they were still snow plowing and the park entrance was still closed. Brrrr. What happened to summer this year? JLS

Time spent in Berkeley

Headed out yesterday and up towards Oregon. Staying in the Mt. Shasta area for a few days.

We had great time visiting with Matt and watching him receive his PHD in Chemistry. Enjoyed how pretty Berkeley is with all of the old houses and charm. But parking was a hassle and especially stressful with the big old black 1 ton dualie. Jack became quite the pro in maneuvering in some really tight spaces. Gotta love that man's driving skills! And thank God for Safeway parking lots!

Matt lived in a little canyon tucked in Berkeley with some state parks close by, it is amazing that there are still tracks of wilderness in the midst of such an urban area. The view of the SFB and Golden Gate bridge was phenomenal.

From Matt's Graduation 2010

The first day we took Zuzu and Wodi and walked around the neighborhoods in Berkeley. Wodi decided he had enough walking and laid down and would not get back up. Our poor little pup was plain tuckered. Jack being the gentleman hiked back on his own to get the truck.

Yum- we did some good eating while we were there, the highlight being dinner at Chez Panisse (and Matt paying). Matt's goal was to eat there when he received his PHD. It was truly fantastic and worth the wait. Great time celebrating with Matt and Kenny. JLS

California Here We Come!

Tuesday was another cold and blistery day. We took a drive up to Carson City. Looked pretty much like any other urban sprawl city these days. On the way back saw a sign for Virgina City of wild west fame and took the turn off. Reminded me of a larger more touristy Madrid, NM. Lots of souvenir shops type of place. It was gosh darn cold up there to boot. Views were pretty and it was fun to run from shop to shop. Brrrr - I thought Nevada was hot.

Decided to stay another day in Fallon and explore the Lake Tahoe area instead of driving on US 50to San Francisco area that way. The weather finally turned warmer and no wind! I had always heard Lake Tahoe was beautiful but it took me by surprise just how beautiful it was, Truly worth seeing! We drove around the lake and still quite a bit of snow around the area. Only saw one park with camping open so it was good idea for us to stay in Fallon instead of trying to camp up there.

From Virginia City and Lake Tahoe

They take their snow removal seriously there!

From Virginia City and Lake Tahoe

Headed out on Thursday on I80. Saw signs that I80 was closed to wide loads past 9ft due to construction. Hmmm, will the Biff make it through? We decided it would. Gotta say it was pretty scary drive. We just made it, it was close on either side. California roads are tired and over used and have way too much traffic. It was not a pleasant drive to Berkeley.

Good news along the way! Matt heard that he was officially now Dr. Matthew Sheldon!

We were able to find a mobile home park not too far from where Matt lives that had some open sites. Pretty reasonable over the typical California RV park. Most of the folks live here as opposed to passing through like RV parks. California is such an odd mixed bag. On one hand you have so many darn people and constant traffic and then you find these little spots that are absolutely beautiful. In a very urban crowded area is little mobile home park lush with trees and flowers - one block from a major six lane highway. It does sound like the "Langoliers" coming - no its just the drone of million cars passing by.

Drove to Matt's house and wow! He has million dollar views of the San Frisco bay and Golden Gate Bridge ( oh make that two million dollars - that's how much the house next to him is on the market). So gotta wonder how him and his roommates landed that gem to rent. JLS

Not Falling for Fallon

The weather looked good in Ely and decided to head on out to Fallon. Highway 50 is nick named the loneliest highway in America. Very fitting. One of those roads where the mind can wander ( as long as the weather is good). The drive is series of mountains and valleys gradually going down in elevation each time.

Along the way the winds picked up as the predicted storm front moved across the state. Temperatures dropped and drive became quite challenging for Jack. I blissfully fell asleep. They also don't tell you there is nothing between the little mining town of Austin and Fallon. So better get your diesel fuel before making the drive. We just made it on fumes to Fallon.

Once in Fallon we looked for an RV park that we stayed at 5 years ago on our way back from seeing Matt in Berkeley. It sure has gone down hill. We remembered it as being well kept and sparkling and out of town. Looks like the town has done some sprawling and grown around it. The RV park now also has convenient store where all your liquor needs can be meet. It's an odd combo.

We may have to stay here for few days and skip Lake Tahoe as originally planned. The weather is still quite breezy. We will be exploring the area and hope there is something more than casinos around and "Sand Mountain". We saw it on the way into town and really is just that - a big mound of sand that apparently the ATV'ers get their kicks. We also "googled" Fallon and found out that it is the home of Naval fighter pilot training school made famous by the movie "Top Gun". We wondered why on the drive there were signs for a Naval base in the middle of the high Nevada desert.

Oh and one more interesting fact - there is a road to an unrestricted nuclear test sight ( only one of two outside the famed Nevada Nuclear test site). They will let you tromp around and tell you it is perfectly save but warn you not to dig or eat the dirt. Hmm - I think I'll pass. Maybe will see some giant ants or giant killer bunnies around town. JLS

The Road to Ely

The drive from Denver to Utah was beautiful if a bit treacherous towing the Biff. The mountains still had boat loads of snow on the peaks. Traffic was steady on I70 till we hit the Utah border. Just too many people in Colorado for me.

We stayed the night in Green River - pretty much your only choice on I70! Green River SP is pretty little park, RV sites are large but no hookups. Saw another Excel with NM plates staying there but did not know the folks.

Once you leave Green River the scenary becomes quite dramatic and desolate. The next town and gas station is 100 miles away. We then continued on to Ely, Nevada on highway 50. The land is flat and welcome change after the drive from Green River to Delta. Looks like large salt flats very sureal and beautiful.

Decided to stay two nights in Ely at the KOA. Took a pretty little hike in Cave Lake SP on Mother's day. JLS

Chatfield State Park - Denver area

Stayed the past few day in Chatfield SP located on a man made lake. Pretty amazing that such a large SP is so close to such a large metropolitan area. Lots of walking and biking trails. Enjoyed the park , large RV sites with ample space between sites. However, I suspect the area gets pretty crowded on the weekends. Urban sprawl surrounds the park. Denver has become the land of strip malls, box stores and chain restaurants. Oh and car washes!

Today we pack it up and head towards California. Taking I70 through the Rockies - hoping the winds are kind as we travel west. JLS

Red Rocks

Jack and I visited Red Rock Amphitheater yesterday - really something worth seeing if you are in the Denver area. It is a natural rock formation that created a natural amphitheater. Besides the spectacular views of the Denver valley, it has an interesting history. Many many famous performers have played there. Of coarse I forgot the camera. Survived the 376 stairs walk up without a heart attack too( yes - we counted them). We then took a nice ride to the town of Evergreen in the mountains and ate lunch at a little cafe along the way. Very nice day indeed! JLS