Road Trip - Day 10

Tuesday, March 31st

Laguna Beach



The Bead Shop in Laguna Beach

My sister and I spent a while browsing through all the beads in this little bead store, then we went down the block to the other bead store, Beadline. As you would of guessed any day shopping in a bead store is a good day. We also spent the evening in downtown Huntington Beach. The main street is closed off for farmers market and crafts every Tuesday evening. We are getting spoiled with another day of sunshine in southern California.

Road Trip - Day 9

Monday, March 30th

Yesterday was a great day. We spent the morning catching up on sleep and then had lunch with my sister. Brian and I did some less interesting things for the rest of the afternoon. Brian's truck is nice and clean. He was very impressed with the hand wash car establishment and the care they took with vehicles. Brian wishes they had something similar in Seattle. Last night we had a great home cooked dinner at my sisters house and my craving for spaghetti has been satisfied. It was an enjoyable evening spent with family and I look forward to another day today.

Road Trip - Day 8

Sunday, March 29th

The Minnow Cafe was our lunch destination on the marina in Santa Barbara. It was just a little tiny place with only enough room inside to place your order and get a soda. Outside were several round picnic tables where one could sit, eat and enjoy the boats docked nearby.

Santa Barbara Beach

Brian and I did enjoy Santa Barbara but I must say our favorite spots seem to be the little tiny towns off the side of the coastal highway. Today's weather was slightly chilly but enjoyable and much nicer than the freezing temps we came from in Washington. We have ended our day in Huntington Beach, CA. and plan to stay here for a few days. Tomorrow will be family time with my sister and her family.

Road Trip - Day 7

Saturday, March 28th

Beautiful rolling hills on Hwy 1- between Lompoc and Santa Barbara
Check out this carwash. Brian has washed his truck two times in the last few days since we started out trip. Heck if I count the wash the night before our trip started, it is three washes in the span of a week. But this is the fanciest carwash he has used yet.


Okay, I know this is an odd picture to post, but while turning around in Cambria we got caught on a one lane road up a hill and saw this very interesting house. The picture will not show everything, but there are a few toilets, rock arches, shells and much more. We didn't get to stay long because a car came up from behind and we had to move. Click on the photo below to enlarge it and check out the toilet on the left hand side of the roof. There were two other toilets I saw on the left yard, but they didn't get in the picture.

Well...we have settled in for the night in Santa Barbara. Last night we didn't get much sleep with a family turning up after 11pm in the room above us. There were two kids and two adults, but it sounded like a herd of elephants jumping off the beds and running from one end of the room to the other. We are sure to sleep well tonight.

Road Trip - Day 6

Friday, March 27th

Some Lighthouse along the California Coast

Bean Hollow Point, CA

Another day of not many photos, but that's okay since the internet connection is very slow for uploading photos. We started out this morning in Half Moon Bay. We had lunch on the Wharf in Santa Cruz. We did plan to stay in Monterey, but after getting there and driving on the Wharf and down Cannery Row decided that we like those little towns, so off we went. We ended up in San Simeon. Tonight we drove into Cambria to get gas for tomorrow. The town had closed up before we got there, however I did find a bead store so we'll be back tomorrow on our way out.

Road Trip - Day 5

Thursday, March 26th

Drive through Tree
Too tight to risk driving through in Brian's new truck.

Golden Gate Bridge Today didn't produce many photos but it was an exciting day. I'm sure the handrest must have permanent marks from my grip. I held on so tight as we winded around each hairpin turn driving from Leggett on Hwy 101 over to Hwy 1. Then no sooner we got over there and a couple hours later we got off Hwy 1 and started traveling through vinyards back towards Hwy 101. Neither Brian, nor I know how that happened. I think it must be those Bentley sport cars that Brian was talking about. He must have just followed the Bentley out of Mendocino and onto Hwy 128. After making our way back over to Hwy 101, traveling down into San Francisco wasn't as nice as the coastal traveling we had been doing in the previous days. After going over the Golden Gate Bridge we quickly made our way back to Hwy 1 and the familiar coast. Tonight we ended our trip in Half Moon Bay and went to the harbor for dinner. Ahhh...I'm sure to sleep well tonight.

Road Trip - Day 4

Wednesday, March 25th

Wood sculpture near Orick, CA
Elk FeedingCalifornia Redwoods
Just outside of Crescent City we drove up into the redwood wonderland up Howland Hill Road. The road started out being paved but quickly changed to a dirt road. Brian posed for this picture at Stout Grove Loop. The old-growth redwoods were spectacular to say the least.
Our day ended in the very small town of Garberville.

Road Trip - Day 3

Tuesday, March 24th

Great day in Oregon. No rain.
Below is one of Brians favorite boats in the Bandon Marina.

Old Town Bandon

Umpqua Lighthouse

We decided to stop in Brookings, Oregon for the night, it might just be the last town before the northern California border.

Road Trip - Day 2

Monday, March 23rd

Astoria BridgeTillamook Air Museum Jetty Fishery

Started out in Astoria, Oregon, traveled south on Hwy 101 to Florence, Oregon. It rained off and on, all day today. The skies were grey and even though the visibility wasn't the best, we did see the beautiful Oregon coastline. Granted the day would have been so much more beautiful with sunny skies, but we have to remember that it is still March. We're looking forward to the sun in our near future, maybe not tomorrow, but hopefully soon.

Road Trip - Day 1

Sunday, March 22nd

Lewis and Clark Bridge connecting Washington and Oregon

Good-bye WashingtonLooking up at the bridge while traveling over it.

Today our travels began in the afternoon around 2:30pm. We drove down I-5, turning off at exit 36 to head over to the Lewis and Clark Bridge and into Oregon, headed west for a while and ended our day in Astoria, Oregon.

When the sun rises I'll take another photo of a bridge, the Astoria Bridge. The hotel we're staying at is almost under it.

Tea Cup Bunny

Just in time for Easter is this bunny wearing a pink floppy hat and tucked safely inside of this miniature tea cup.

Bunny in a tea cup
Originally uploaded by helensclayart

Triple charmed earrings

New earrings to match my bracelet made with the same beads.

Triple charmed earrings
Originally uploaded by helensclayart