Day 18 - San Francisco

Up for breaky this morning and then off we went on our way to San Francisco. A long drive in the car, thank goodness we have the big car so I can sit in the back with my leg up! A long but beautiful drive, lots of windy roads with big steep drop offs that scared me a bit. Finished Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets just before we hit San Fran. It was really cool seeing the Golden Gate Bridge come in to view. We got off the freeway at Marin Headlands and drove up the hill to get a good view of the bridge. The cloud was so low that the higher we got the less of the bridge we could see!

Checked into our hotel on Lombards Street (the crookedest street in the world!) and then headed down to Fisherman's Wharf for dinner. Had a really yummy clam chowder in a bread bowl which San Fran is famous for. The funniest thing was watching Kaleb put the lid on and pick it up to try and eat it - he thought it was a hamburger!!

Day 17 - Fort Bragg

Up about 7.30am to get ready for our drive through Avenue of the Giants. Packed up and had our breaky (worst one yet the kids say- only toast and muffins!) and away we went.

First stop was the Immortal Tree which had survived flood and fire and axe and was still standing tall! Then I tackled a small walk (1/2 mile is really long when you're on crutches!) to have a look around Founders Grove and the Dyerville Giant which was 100 metres tall when it fell.

The trees were so huge, it was amazing!! 

Next off to the Shrine Drive through tree! It was a bit scary and there wasn't much room to spare but we made it!!

We stopped for lunch at Tooby Park where the boys all went for a swim in the river- it was really hot!

We had a quick stop at the One Log House and the Grandfather Tree before continuing on our way!

The drive to Fort Bragg was beautiful! Lots of windy roads through the trees but then a stunning drive along the coast. Stopped at MacKerricher State Park and walked along the boardwalk. Saw lots of squirrels, sea lions and even some whales!!

We stopped at Glass Beach on the way to check in and then Denny's for dinner. Knee feeling a little better tonight, hopefully  will be all good soon!

Day 16 - Eureka

Pretty uneventful day today. I was a bit tired from a restless night- the painkillers must have worn off about 3am so I was awake on and off from then on. 😩
Enjoyed a yummy breakfast (kids are loving the waffle makers ) and somehow Ian ended up with 17 danishes and muffins in his bag!!

Drove to Jacksonville to have a look around the historic town. Some beautiful old buildings and houses, and even the most adorable squirrel just running along the path!

Next stop Grant's Pass where we stopped for lunch. Sat on the river edge and enjoyed the sunshine.

Luckily we have the big Dodge Caravan now so I was able to sit on the back seat with my leg up which made it a bit less painful. Long drive on the way to Eureka- managed to fit in a few more chapters of Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets.  

Had to stop for a photo as we went over the border into California!!

Stopped at the Trees of Mystery and had a little look around. There was a huge statue of a man (Paul Bunyan) and his ox out the front which the kids thought was great to climb on. He even spoke to you and waved!

From there straight to Eureka and checked into our motel and then off to dinner. After many days of encouragement (harassment) from Caitlin we went to Taco Bell for dinner. I was actually pretty impressed. It was yummy and really cheap - we got 3 meal combos for $15 between 5 of us and it was the perfect amount! 

Day 15 - Medford

Well today didn't quite go to plan! 😩

Up early and enjoyed the buffet breakfast before heading off to Crater Lake. Beautiful day again and Kaleb was hoping to go swimming! Arrived at the lake and everyone was very excited to see that there was still snow on the mountains and as we drove higher and higher it got closer and closer. We pulled over for our first glimpse of the magnificent lake and for the kids to play in the snow and practice their baseball and softball skills!

Saw the cutest little chipmunk at one of the lookouts! Just sat there posing - he was adorable!

Next stop was the walk down to the bottom of the lake, what should have been a 25 minute walk. Instead, Kaleb slipped over and as we were holding hands he dragged me down too. I went over him & my knee landed on the biggest and sharpest rock there! It really hurt and cut a really deep gash in my leg. Ian was so calm and luckily there was a lady behind with a first aid kit. 

Had to drive around the rest of the lake anyway, stopped at a few more lookouts, let the kids have a play in the snow and then off to the hospital. They were pretty amazing. I went straight in. Biggest needle I've ever seen in my life and more painful than any other needle I've ever had!! Cleaned it out, x-rayed, had 3 doctors come & have a look - I think they were actually pretty impressed with how deep it was! Cut right through to the tendon!! 8 stitches later (3 internal & 5 outer), knee brace and crutches and I was ready to go! Wasn't exactly the day we had planned! 😩

Day 14 - Roseburg

Had a bit of a sleep-in this morning which was lovely but meant we didn't get away til 10am! First stop was Newport which was a gorgeous little seaside town. Caitlin and I could have spent hours browsing the quaint little shops but with the boys there we only managed a few!! And our sleep-in meant we had limited time. 😬
First stop was Nye Beach which just seemed to go on and on. The boys were having a great time running around and throwing the tennis ball but I was freezing!! You could see the spray like a mist coming off the ocean - it looked really cool!

Then down to the Bayfront for a wander and a quick peek at a couple of shops. Caitlin added to her souvenir collection with a shell trinket box - we are going to need another case!! Didn't see the resident sea lions though so back in the car to head to the Sea Lion Caves just out of Florence- now this was cool!! Walked down to the viewing platform where we could see hundreds of sea lions basking in the sun or swimming and playing. It was really quite entertaining watching them dive in and then surf the waves back on to the rocks. Some of them were huge!! 

We then took the elevator 200 feet down to the sea cave to look at the sea lions through the viewing window in the cave. 

Back on the road and on our way to Roseburg. We went past the elk viewing at Dean Creek and stopped for some pictures. Then we saw our first SKUNK!! Unfortunately it was dead on the side of the road 😥 It was still really cute!! 

Checked in to our motel in Roseburg and then headed to Casey's family restaurant for dinner. 3 meals between the 5 of us and we were happy!  BEST GRAVY EVER!  Back to the hotel for a swim and a spa and some planning for tomorrow- Crater Lake!!

Day 13 - Corvallis

Up early this morning for our buffet breakfast before hitting the road. Very hard to be healthy here but the kids thought it was great! 😩 Bagels, scones, fruit loops, cocoa pops, orange juice that tastes like cool drink and waffles that you made yourself. I know what will be on the boys Christmas list this year!

Driving the Historic Columbia River Highway today, highway 30. Stopped at the Portland Women's forum overlook and Vista House for some pictures of the beautiful scenery.

Continued along and stopped at Latourell Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Wahkeena Falls and the 2nd biggest in the country, Multnonah Falls. All beautiful!! The kids loved climbing  up and exploring and racing their sticks down the river!

Next stop was Horsetail  Falls where we stopped and had  lunch. Kaleb was going to go for a swim but his feet went numb after about  15 seconds and he changed his mind! 😂

Continued on to the Bonneville Dam and the Fish ladders. It was pretty impressive the size of it and the fish viewing windows were pretty cool!! Except for the lamprey - they were gross!

Final stop was blueberry picking. Kids had a ball picking their own and it was really cheap (especially as they probably ate a kilo while they were picking!). A quick stop at Dollar Tree which is the most awesome shop I've ever been in!! Everything is $1!! Bought breakfast & lunch for 2-3 days, dinner for tonight & snacks and was $33!! Can't beat that!! Back on the road and off to our stop for the night in Corvallis!! 

Day 12 - Portland

On the road again this morning and on our way to Portland. We are all getting very into Harry Potter on the audio book and got through at least 3 chapters before our lunch stop at Kalama. Brief stop for lunch and then back in our car & arrived at Portland about 2pm. Checked into our hotel and then back in the car to explore. We headed to Washington Park and had a look around the International Rose Garden which has 10 000 rose bushes!! It was really  pretty and smelled much better than it has the last 3 hours in our car!! 😬

We saw the cutest, tamest squirrel wandering around. It looked like it would have eaten out of our hands but we didn't have any food!!

Next off to Pittock Mansion to see how the other half live!! Beautiful  house and spectacular views of the city.

Then a drive down 23rd avenue which is filled with cafes and restaurants and apparently the best donut shop and second best ice cream shop in America. Of course we had to try it and I have to say the sea salt caramel was pretty special! 

Did things a little backwards. Had these amazing ice creams and then went and had some yummy Mexican for dinner. We did then walk past the donut shop-luckily for me it was closed!! Our final stop was at Powell's, the biggest bookstore in the world- it was huge!! I could have stayed there for ages!!

Back to our hotel for a bit of downtime to plan tomorrow's adventure. Stay tuned!!

Day 11 Seattle

First stop this morning was to head down to the city centre and pick up the hire car. It is gorgeous!! It's called a Dodge Caravan and it has so much room- the kids don't have to travel with luggage on their laps! It even has heated seats!! Drove down to Pike Place markets and had a look around. Lined up for 45 minutes along with everyone else to get a coffee from the original Starbucks. The kids all had frappacinos- they were pretty yummy!! Saw the fish being thrown, did a spot of shopping and then back to the car. Went to Capitol Hill and the kids had a bit of a play and then to Kerry Park for an awesome view of Seattle.

Next stop Seattle Centre. Walked through the stalls and tables set up for the bite festival. Heaps of people & different foods from all over. Had our first bagel for lunch with cream cheese which was really yummy! Then off to board the Aquaduck for our tour around Seattle. Our guide was a little bit over the top but he was very knowledgeable and it was heaps of fun- especially when it drove into the water! I think I want to live on a houseboat!!

Finished on the duck and headed to Luna Cafe for dinner. It was a very cool, little diner with little jukeboxes on the table and memorabilia everywhere. Huge portion sizes too! I think I'm glad I am averaging 10kms a day!!

Day 10 - Seattle

Packed up this morning and left our beautiful Whistler apartment for our journey back to Vancouver. Stopped along the way at Brandywine Falls. Took a short walk through the forest (no bears 😥) to the waterfall and viewpoint of the valley which were both gorgeous.

Next stop was Shannon Falls which was just spectacular!! Stopped there and had lunch- couldn't get a much better backdrop!

Back to Vancouver where we had to drop the car off before catching the train to Seattle. We had plenty of time (or so we thought) so we stopped at a Tim Hortons for some more cake batter ice cream- SO GOOD!! The time just seemed to slip away and all of a sudden we were stuck in traffic, not moving very quickly, and late for our train!! Ian dropped us off & then went to take the car back while I  filled out the paperwork & hopped in line & hoped to God he turned up in time! Luckily he was back with plenty of time to spare. Boarded the train and settled in for the four and a half hour journey.  We got talking to a lovely family from Missouri who were 'like the American version of us' according to Josh lol! By the end of the trip the kids were sitting together playing cards and the mums  (Karen and I) were sitting together chatting. Beautiful scenery to look at and lovely company made the trip go pretty quickly. Arrived in Seattle just as the Mariners v Yankees game finished so taxis were a bit scarce. Decided would be easy enough to walk to our hotel as it was only 1.4km away. Didn't realise it was at a vertical incline!!! Getting really tired of hills! 

Day 9 - Whistler

Off to see some snow today!!  ❄️ Walked into the Olympic Village to get our tickets for the peak 2 peak and away we went. We took the gondola up Whistler Mountain- it was so high and you could feel the temperature dropping lower and lower the higher we got. We were so high we went through the clouds!

Arrived  at the top and got our photos taken with the Olympic Rings. Then hiked up the mountain on a 'not too steep' walk to the peak express chairlift. 'Not too steep' the lady said!!! I'd hate to know what she calls steep. That would have been why we were the only people walking up and everyone else had caught the chairlift up and were walking down!! The walk through the snow walls was amazing though! The tallest ones had to have been 7 metres high either side which was pretty cool. It started raining as we got to the top and the temperature got really really cold!! We caught the chairlift down in the rain- it was so cold we thought we were going to get frostbite in our fingers. The view however, was spectacular!! We rewarded ourselves in the lodge with a coffee or hot chocolate- never tasted so good. 😃

Then  from one mountain to the other- we took the Peak 2 Peak gondola from Whistler to Blackcomb - 4.4 kms across- a world record length!! Ian spotted a bear as we were going across so we had to take the gondola across 5 times until everyone had seen a bear lol!! They were tiny as we were so high up but it was still pretty amazing to see them in the wild! We even caught the glass bottom gondola across once. Finally we got off at Blackcomb Mountain and took the chairlift down. It  was a beautiful view of the whole valley- Ian and Josh even spotted a couple of deer! Back to our apartment for hot showers to warm up, a nice dinner and a family game of Monopoly. Awesome day!