2015 Summer Journey
Part 1
California
Oregon
Washington
As of June 1,2015, I retired after 31 years of state service. We had been planning a trip to Alaska via our TC, this has stretched out to a summer-long journey.
This adventure would include seeing family,
friends, and places across the country. I will post as time and internet service allow.
June 05,2015
My brother Frank and his wife, Theresa kicked off our travels with a day visit to San Diego Safari Park.
We had a wonderful day at the park and the visit with my brother and his wife was a great start of our trip.
June 06,2015
Sunday morning we motored up to Ventura, Ca. to my brother Howard's shop.
He was taking us to Cold Spring Tavern in Santa Barbara and the Painted Cave. We made room for him in the front seat went to restart the truck and darn if it wouldn't fire up! well, it was Sunday and would deal with the problem on Monday.
June 11,2015
With the truck back in good health it's on to a jefe 4x4 home in Nevada City.
Traffic opened up after Castaic Lake, starting to make good time, then BAM a loud explosion under the hood and Julie yelling "There white smoke coming from the back of the truck!"
As it turned out the noise was the worse thing that happen, I think Murphy trying to keep us from doing this trip. A clamp on the high-pressure side of the turbo gave out and broke, Lucky for us I had some garden hose clamps with us, a quick patch, and off to the Ford dealer a few miles away.
Back on the road again with new clamps, we made good time northbound, stopping sometime later at a rest area.
Jeff and his wife have a beautiful home and he showed us around.
June 13,2015
Julie and I are headed for Redding, Ca. for a short visit with a distant cousin of mine, then on to Highway 299.
Making our way around the streets of Redding and finding SR 299, we were on track to the historical town of Shasta. This was an interesting stop.
The courthouse/museum was full of local information.
I didn't do it!
Shasta still has numerous building standing(some only the walls).
We entered the only General Merchandise store still open in Shasta and were greeted by the bounty of well-supplied goods.
We could of spend the rest of this wonderful day here, but at last the road was calling and the truck was roaring to have pavement rolling under its tires again.
It was a pleasure driving SR 299 with beautiful views like this.
Along the way, an overnight place was calling our name, right on the Trinity River.
After leaving our side road camping spot along California SR 299 we headed for Gold Beach, OR. using the coastal route.
June 14,2015
Campsite departure.
A number of wildflowers growing along SR 299
Forest Boundary
We were being followed by this strange being.
Started seeing more TC on the road north.
On the 101 coast highway passed Humboldt Lagoon, stopped by a coastal beach.
In Crescent City, Ca. we were greeted by locale flyers.
They got our seal of approval.
Arriving at Gold Beach, Or. Jerry's Jet Boat tour was our first stop. Tomorrow we would be going up the Rouge River!
June 15, 2015
Secret Camp RV Park was one we had stayed at on a previous adventure, it’s still a small, quaint and quiet place well suited for small RVs.
We were going on a Rogue River adventure on Jerry’s Jet Boats this morning and had decided on a longer water ride (80 miles) than the last time we had been here.
Jerry's Jet Boat
Nature provided everyone with a glorious day, bright and blue skies.
It wasn’t long before we were passing under the historical
The last time when we were here it was being restored.
A pit stop was made and then off to the rough waters for a splashing time (see above video).Lunchtime affair was elevated above the river to a familiar place.
Lunch was a buffet style, nice and hot, plenty for hungry riders. After lunch a leisurely cruise back to home port was in order.
We wished him luck on catching some fish, he raised the two he caught already, a fine catch indeed.
Once on the north side of the bridge, we made a quick right on Rouge River Rd, passing Saltwater Restaurant. We had a meal here when we first arrived in Gold Beach of some of the best clam chowder we’d ever had.
Access to the beach area was simple enough, Julie managed to get a photo of a Osprey in flight and since the tide was out we took a little walk along the beach.
Time was enjoyable here, but at last, it was time to shove off for Roseburg, Ore. to meet two aunts and an uncle for lunch. Continuing on the frontage road it soon was reduced to a single lane, for a while; somehow, I thought I had gotten on a bicycle trail.
Traffic moved along as we motored down the highway.
Once reaching Roseburg traffic was congested as a head cold. We found the Sizzler were we meet our Aunts and Uncle at.
Lunch was good and seeing my Mom’s brother and sister was great. We said our goodbyes and off to Dayton, Oregon to see my cousins.
In a few hours we showed up at my cousin’s farm, Ken was mowing and Gwen came out to greet us.
06/17/15
Blackbirds became our alarm clock, waking us up from a sound slumber.
After breakfast, Gwen drove us to EverGreen, which turned out to be an Aviation Museum.
Also unbeknown to Julie and me it is the home of the Spruce Goose
The collect at EverGreen is huge; we wander around for several hours. In addition, there is a great movie on how airplane have done so much to change the world, a must see if you’re at EverGreen.
06/18/15
Today our end destination will be Sumas, Washington. This will put us next to the Canadian border. After a early breakfast with my cousins it, did our laundry. It was 12:30pm before we hit the road once again. It would be a few miles before reaching the I-5, going through several towns.
Not far to the north is Portland, Oregon and the traffic jam of this city.
A jeep with what looked like a pop-up tent feature was ahead of for a few miles.
Soon the slow flowing interstate traffic crossed the Columbia River. I did note some warning signage, if flashing stop. Apparently, this was a drawbridge as well.
Once clear of Portland traffic flowed fair well for several hours. We arrived in the Seattle area just in time for the just too many vehicles on the road, it was like being back at home.
Finally making through the Seattle area (we took the 405 by-pass) we stopped at a rest area to stretch out our legs; it was a nice place to stop for awhile.
Back on the interstate, skies’ clouding up looked like rain was coming.
Right now we're in Fairbanks, AK. I will keep posting further summer adventures here.
June 05,2015
My brother Frank and his wife, Theresa kicked off our travels with a day visit to San Diego Safari Park.
Julie, Frank and Theresa
This would give me a chance to test out my new Tamron 150-600 telephoto lens.
This would give me a chance to test out my new Tamron 150-600 telephoto lens.
Taken with my new lens/approx 1000 feet away. (Above Photo)
Julie and I have been here several times in the past but never knew they had a large botanical garden.
I was less than a foot from this bird, absolutely fearless.
We had a wonderful day at the park and the visit with my brother and his wife was a great start of our trip.
June 06,2015
Sunday morning we motored up to Ventura, Ca. to my brother Howard's shop.
He cleared his car out and his first stop was the Chumash Painted Cave. (https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=602 )
June 11,2015
With the truck back in good health it's on to a jefe 4x4 home in Nevada City.
A few donkeys are enjoying a morning breakfast in Reche Canyon near our home. Travel on Southern California Interstate was its usual jam fest.
Traffic opened up after Castaic Lake, starting to make good time, then BAM a loud explosion under the hood and Julie yelling "There white smoke coming from the back of the truck!"
As it turned out the noise was the worse thing that happen, I think Murphy trying to keep us from doing this trip. A clamp on the high-pressure side of the turbo gave out and broke, Lucky for us I had some garden hose clamps with us, a quick patch, and off to the Ford dealer a few miles away.
Back on the road again with new clamps, we made good time northbound, stopping sometime later at a rest area.
Arriving at Jeff's place after 11:00 pm, it was hit the sack time.
Jeff and his wife have a beautiful home and he showed us around.
June 13,2015
Julie and I are headed for Redding, Ca. for a short visit with a distant cousin of mine, then on to Highway 299.
Making our way around the streets of Redding and finding SR 299, we were on track to the historical town of Shasta. This was an interesting stop.
The courthouse/museum was full of local information.
I didn't do it!
Shasta still has numerous building standing(some only the walls).
We entered the only General Merchandise store still open in Shasta and were greeted by the bounty of well-supplied goods.
We could of spend the rest of this wonderful day here, but at last the road was calling and the truck was roaring to have pavement rolling under its tires again.
It was a pleasure driving SR 299 with beautiful views like this.
Along the way, an overnight place was calling our name, right on the Trinity River.
After leaving our side road camping spot along California SR 299 we headed for Gold Beach, OR. using the coastal route.
June 14,2015
Campsite departure.
A number of wildflowers growing along SR 299
Started seeing more TC on the road north.
Driving through the Redwoods Forest one comes across strange sights.
Arriving at Gold Beach, Or. Jerry's Jet Boat tour was our first stop. Tomorrow we would be going up the Rouge River!
June 15, 2015
Secret Camp RV Park was one we had stayed at on a previous adventure, it’s still a small, quaint and quiet place well suited for small RVs.
We were going on a Rogue River adventure on Jerry’s Jet Boats this morning and had decided on a longer water ride (80 miles) than the last time we had been here.
Jerry's Jet Boat
Nature provided everyone with a glorious day, bright and blue skies.
It wasn’t long before we were passing under the historical
The last time when we were here it was being restored.
Not long into our expedition critters were being spotted.
Another Rogue boat approaching us slowed down spraying it’s rider with river water.
Lunch was a buffet style, nice and hot, plenty for hungry riders. After lunch a leisurely cruise back to home port was in order.
The next morning (06/16/15) Julie was up early, cooking breakfast and brewing that sweet black nectar we call coffee.
We’re headed this morning down to the Rogue River for a few photo shots, then off to see some of the beach area.
Our drive down the road was laden with fog making it harder to find one of the many access roads to the Rogue River.
Our drive down the road was laden with fog making it harder to find one of the many access roads to the Rogue River.
We wished him luck on catching some fish, he raised the two he caught already, a fine catch indeed.
Leaving our river shore spot, up the highway and crossing the Rouge Bridge.
Once on the north side of the bridge, we made a quick right on Rouge River Rd, passing Saltwater Restaurant. We had a meal here when we first arrived in Gold Beach of some of the best clam chowder we’d ever had.
Access to the beach area was simple enough, Julie managed to get a photo of a Osprey in flight and since the tide was out we took a little walk along the beach.
Time was enjoyable here, but at last, it was time to shove off for Roseburg, Ore. to meet two aunts and an uncle for lunch. Continuing on the frontage road it soon was reduced to a single lane, for a while; somehow, I thought I had gotten on a bicycle trail.
Our barely wide enough path joined back with the 101 highway
Traffic moved along as we motored down the highway.
Once reaching Roseburg traffic was congested as a head cold. We found the Sizzler were we meet our Aunts and Uncle at.
Lunch was good and seeing my Mom’s brother and sister was great. We said our goodbyes and off to Dayton, Oregon to see my cousins.
In a few hours we showed up at my cousin’s farm, Ken was mowing and Gwen came out to greet us.
It was pretty much end of the day, tomorrow my cousin Gwen was taking us over to Evergreen, it was to be a surprise as to what it is, we didn’t know.
06/17/15
Blackbirds became our alarm clock, waking us up from a sound slumber.
Also unbeknown to Julie and me it is the home of the Spruce Goose
The collect at EverGreen is huge; we wander around for several hours. In addition, there is a great movie on how airplane have done so much to change the world, a must see if you’re at EverGreen.
06/18/15
Today our end destination will be Sumas, Washington. This will put us next to the Canadian border. After a early breakfast with my cousins it, did our laundry. It was 12:30pm before we hit the road once again. It would be a few miles before reaching the I-5, going through several towns.
Not far to the north is Portland, Oregon and the traffic jam of this city.
A jeep with what looked like a pop-up tent feature was ahead of for a few miles.
Soon the slow flowing interstate traffic crossed the Columbia River. I did note some warning signage, if flashing stop. Apparently, this was a drawbridge as well.
Once clear of Portland traffic flowed fair well for several hours. We arrived in the Seattle area just in time for the just too many vehicles on the road, it was like being back at home.
Finally making through the Seattle area (we took the 405 by-pass) we stopped at a rest area to stretch out our legs; it was a nice place to stop for awhile.
Back on the interstate, skies’ clouding up looked like rain was coming.
Getting off the I-5 onto SR9 included a quick stop at a Safeway store then off to Sumas RV Park were we spent the night and it did rain that night.
Tomorrow morning Julie and I will be leaving the United State for the first time in decades. Traveling into Canada will be new and exciting adventure.
Tomorrow morning Julie and I will be leaving the United State for the first time in decades. Traveling into Canada will be new and exciting adventure.
My 2015 Summer Journey was originally posted on RV.net in the Truck Camper Forum and I'm in the process of transferring them to this site. So posted date won't match the dates of the trip report.
Click here for Part 2
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