Northern California PCH 2013

"California, California
Know I love you, California
When I leave, I know you wait for me
'Cause in the sun and in the weather
No one else has loved me better
California you’re the place for me."    Joey Ryan

It's almost impossible to not fall in love with California. With each visit, my personal love affair is rekindled.
So many songs written about the Golden State come to mind when I look at these photos that I feel compelled to quote them.

Here's a snapshot of me at the age of 16, my first visit to California in 1965.
I was an East Coast Surfer Girl until I discovered The Dead!

Catch a wave and you're sitting on top of the world.   Brian Wilson

OK, back to 2013.
Amid RV parks and over priced chain hotels we found the once elegant and quirky Ship Ashore Resort in Smith River CA.. This place has seen better days however the most important element remains intact, amazing location. While checking in, I watched the pelicans diving for supper and was sold. ( $75/night helped too)
We had a front row seat on our balcony of a bird sanctuary. A peaceful and constantly changing view, kept us entertained during our brief stay.

California sunset
Going down in the west
All the colors in the sky
Kiss another day goodbye.      Neil Young

Early morning bird sightings...Night Heron

Blue Heron

Snowy Egret

On the road again, morning mist and the Smith River

Elk by the beach

What the elk were looking at......

REDWOODS

And it smells like rain
Maybe even thunder
Wont you keep us from all harm
Wonderful redwood tree      Van Morrison

Most harrowing ride we experienced was on Rt 1 from Rt 101 towards Ft Bragg.
Hair-pin turn after hair-pin turn in the rain with these two fellas on our tail, cannot believe how fast they were driving. Sigh of relief when we let us pass them.

Ft Bragg CA.  Sea Glass Beach

This was a stunning spot even if the Sea Glass beach wasn't quite what I envisioned.

ELK CA. is a tiny community perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean. We stayed in a romantic little cottage, we didn't have an ocean view but we did have a porch filled with flowers and hummingbirds.
It was a perfect spot for happy hour.

Elk sunset

Elk sunrise

Bathroom window in Elk cottage

Oregon Coast

Finding words to describe the experience of the Oregon coast is challenging.  Visually it's stunning;
the rugged cliffs, deserted beaches and views that go on for miles, just amazing.
But, there is something more than spectacular views about it. The people are charming, the pace relaxing and meandering down the coast really felt like a vacation.

Dock in Astoria

Cannon Beach reflection

One of those empty beaches that goes on for miles, free access BTW and who doesn't love a little fog on their beach.

What happens when the fog lifts.

Pacific City surf board

Yaquina Bay Bridge, Newport Oregon

I'm against drive thru coffee shops, I'm opposed to drinking coffee while you're doing another task like walking, running errands etc.. Good coffee tastes so much better when drunk from a real cup at a table with a good friend or a good book. Stop and smell the coffee people.
I was pleased to see that this drive through shop gave one the option.

Haceta Head Light, Florence Oregon

This was the only thing interesting in Winchester Bay, too bad we weren't hungry.

Bandon Light in Bandon Oregon

Queen Annes Lace

There are lots of drift logs on the beaches, adds to the abandoned feeling of the coast.

Not exactly sure where these were taken other than in the southern part of the state.
It was a beautiful spot and the image that comes to mind when I think "Oregon".

Oregon Rocks.....peaceful, serene, beautiful....a place where one can just be.

Astoria, Oregon

Historic Astoria is the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies. It was established
as a fur trading post prior to becoming the bustling port city, it is today. I found it colorful
and funky and wished I had more time to explore. Book stores, coffee roasters, breweries and
thrift stores beg for a return visit.

4.2 mile Astoria-Megler Bridge connects Oregon and Washington

The local PD at work, stripes!

Using a loaner camera, I went a little crazy with this setting,
makes a perfectly dull photo interesting.

Local character and proprietor of a new and used book store,

Small and fascinating museum on Pier 39

Love these trash bins; history, art and functionality.

Still a busy port...logs at sunset.

Log hoisters

My favorite part of my visit was an early morning bike ride along the 5.1 mile River Walk.
The hotel supplied my "ride", very spiffy.

The sights.....old train car

old boat

Did I mention it was a sunrise ride?

I just love this.....

PORTLAND, ME

Mid week jaunt to Portland ME, funky little city where I went to college, learned how to throw pots, met my man and had to leave 30 years ago because science jobs did not exist.
Has it changed? Yes and no but we left believing that "This is the way life's suppose to be".
A very walkable and bike friendly city.


Street art welcome

Probably the most visited area of Portland is the Old Port Exchange. A
quaint refurbished area with cobblestone streets, 19th century buildings, boutiques, restaurants and bars.
A bit touristy but worth the visit.
I concentrated on the docks themselves looking for a bit of the actual "old' port.

Fishing from the docks, lobstah boat, sail boats and Fort Gorges in the distance.

Still in business...

Fish houses on the pier

Street performance

Window shopping in the thrift stores on Munjoy Hill, I see a return trip in my future.

Bug Light, So Portland ME

Bug Light detail

Deering Oaks

Back Cove, early morning bike ride

Portland skyline, Back Cove

On the Eastern Promenade bike trail

Excellent way to begin the day......