Nightmare on Elm Street

Medford Oregon

Weather Max 18 Min 9

Great sleep and up early to go to Jacksonville for sight seeing. Jacksonville is an old mining and agricultural town with lot of historical buildings. I opened the door of my motel and it was a
pea souper.  Not much use going sight seeing in da fog!! 

While I was waiting for it to clear I had another coffee and got hit with a wave of homesickness. It's the first time it's really happened.....need my kid, the boy and the dog. Ah well....only 5 months to go lol

It was late morning by the time it cleared so, as the desk clerk seemed to have no idea where I could catch a bus and time was marching on I caught a taxi to Jacksonville which isn't far. My taxi driver must have slept in because he still had his jammies on. 

Jammy Man

There was still a lot of fog in the distance and the  driver said that they send up planes to seed the clouds to disperse the fog. Never heard of that before. 

There are going to be a lot of photos today because Jacksonville is absolutely gorgeous, especially since all the trees are dressed up in their very finest autumn leaves.

When I  visited the US before, I rated Oregon as my favourite state and every step I took today confirmed that I was right. I also rated Aspen Colorado as the prettiest town but this one certainly gives it a run for its money.

Right down to its little white picket fence

 I had a hot chocolate and a bran muffin at the Goodbean Coffeehouse...that muffin was the fluffiest moistest cake ever.

Best Bran muffin EVA!!

I left there and headed to the cemetery which I heard was quite special. Now anyone who knows me also knows that I have no sense of direction. You could put me in a 10 x 10 square room with a compass and a guide dog and I still wouldn't find the corner. So......I managed to head off,  in the wrong direction, up a steep, steep hill. I got a bit stressed (No - I don't get stressed -I'm retired - I was mildly perturbed!) as I didn't seem to be getting where I needed to be and then a sign showed that I was back in BEAR and CRITTER land. Then I looked up to a street sign that said Elm Street. My very own nightmare in Elm Street!

Look out for the Bears!

I did an about turn and  asked for directions from a fellow walker and  ...yes....I was walking in the exact opposite direction. HOWEVER....I did see some stunning scenery while i was "lost".

I finally found the cemetery and guess what.....another big bloody hill to get to the gates.  My legs and butt will be aching tomorrow - I did over 10 kms today. As I was going through the gate a deer popped out to say hello.  This is an approved critter.

This town is just so pretty and full of history. Everyone was very friendly and smiled and said hello. I felt like I was in another time. I loved it.

I had lunch at C St Cafe - a Wedge Salad - tasted superb so I ordered a Ginger Beer and it was BUNDABURG - just to rub the salt into the homesickness wound.

Wedge Salad

Random - I saw Duck Waffle on the menu...wh-a-a-a-t?

Getting back to the cemetery. It was a beautiful spot but very sad. There were family plots from the mid to late 1800's and there would be mum and dad and in one case, 6 babies all about 2 years old. It must have been so tough back in those days. We take our medical care for granted. It seemed to put life in proportion a bit. I felt quite sad by the time I left. 

Random - Catherine Coulson - think Twin Peaks - is also buried there.

I caught the bus back to Medford - $1 on my old lady ticket - and am still trying to decide on dinner.

I am about to start packing ready for my trip by bus to Portlnd Oregon tomorrow - takes about 6 hours

Medford Oregon

Weather Max 19 Min 6    Very foggy start to the day

Well - that was NOT a good night's sleep. Anxious about my retirement funds post Trump and grumpy re my possible computer problems and then it was COLD.    
Grrrr and Grrrr then Brrrr!

 At 4.30 am I got up and did my blog from yesterday so I would stop thinking about it. (I used the iPhone hotspot and it seemed to work ok so fingers crossed.)  At my age if you don't do it ASAP you forget there even was a yesterday never mind what you did.  I felt better after that and went back to bed to read....HA!....I woke up 3 hours later still cold but feeling happier about  the Trumps and the Grumps.

I had my first Bagel for breakfast today ....very nice. I also had my first Waffle the other day so I'm quite the groovy foody 
...not lol. 

I was still feeling quite tired after such a busy week in Crescent City then a sleepless night so I made coffee, put my feet up and turned on the telly and..........fell asleep again. I must have needed it and it's almost compulsory in retirement anyway :)

Early afternoon Thomas Ashton came to visit.  A couple of days ago I explained  that Thomas lived in my home town of Adelaide (Australia) many years ago but we never met at the time. We became acquainted on the internet through a random meeting many years later when Lee met his nephew in Hawaii. It was great to finally meet Thomas and we chatted for a couple of hours about Australia and my USA travels. It was a very enjoyable afternoon. We then went to visit his brother Bob who added a few tales himself.  A good day. Hopefully we'll catch up again before this trip is over.

Thomas Ashton

Back to the hotel and left over Kung Pao Chicken for  dinner...it tasted even better than yesterday. My squashy bowls with the lids are perfect Lauren :)

Yummy

Early night tonight.................

Last Day in Crescent City :(

Crescent City California

Weather Max 19 Min 13

This blog is for Tuesday November 8

Got up a bit earlier so I could say goodby to Gavin and Danny before they go to school - I'm going to miss their faces and the hugs and kisses. Very loving, good boys.


Angie and I drove down the coast and I am still in awe of it's beauty.

Magnificent

We headed out to The Trees of Mystery where we walked amongst the huge redwoods. It's amazing to think some of these trees have been here for thousands of years.

I dont know if these plaques will show up on your
devices but the second left one is where this tree's
growth was  when the Magna Carta
was signed in 1215.

It was a glorious day - a bit crisp but very sunny and walking through these huge trees was really something. We  got on a skyrail  and travelled to the top of the mountain - right in amongst the tree tops.

Mixing it up on the mountain top

Not so cocky when I saw how little of the
cabin was actually attached to the cable





.

A trip to the gift shop afterwards caught me in an awkward moment with a sasquatch - that's me on the left if you are unsure :(

True love

Leaving here we headed to the post office to send Lee the requested  4 cans of "Squeezy Cheese"  plus another gift  and I felt faint at the postage cost - $64. It cost more than the entire contents. No more gifts for Lee!!

I accompanied Angie while she placed her vote in today's US election and then we had lunch at the Chartroom restaurant right on the harbour. The food was very good and the view wonderful.

We returned home as it was time for me to pack up and leave Crescent City and travel on to Medford. Larry was heading north on Police business and kindly drove me to Medford saving me a tedious bus trip.

I can't thank Angie and Larry nearly enough. They took in a virtual stranger and gave me the most wonderful time. I have never met people more generous with their time and home and the places they took me to and the sights they showed me, will not be forgotten. I look forward to seeing you again on the return trip xxxx

The Election! What can I say. While the election is an internal issue for America and it is their decision who they install as President it has had some far reaching ripple effects around the world.  I can honestly say that people in Australia at least, are dumbstruck at the result - no-one predicted it.

From a purely personal point of view, my retirement savings are tied up in shares with my superannuation company and  $35 billion  has been wiped off the Australian stock market as he edged closer to victory. Stock markets around the world are suffering similar fates. I should have taken it out of the Super Fund before I left maybe .....who knows.

I'm not sure at this point to what degree this will effect me - but effect me it will. I may have to consider cutting my travels short once I can check with my super company exactly what is happening.

I'm feeling quite low about my future and now I'm having computer issues grrr. I've booked travel and accommodation to Portland Oregon for Friday 11th so I will visit an Apple shop with fingers crossed. Last night - with spotty internet and temperamental computer I gave up trying to do my blog. It's now 4.30 am and I am doing a little better and using the Hot Spot on my phone to connect.

I settled for a late dinner from the Chinese restaurant across the road. Tasty but way too much of one meal. Luckily I have a fridge here and I will have it for dinner tomorrow.

Kung Pao Chicken 

I really need a haircut - Gia! Where are you when I need you. I'm beginning to look like that sasquatch!!

Catching up with old friends

Crescent City California

Weather Max 18 Min 11

Today Angie and I went to visit Kyle and Curtis. When Lee and I were travelling in this area in 2011 we had multiple breakdowns with our Camper Van and Kyle  and his dad came to the rescue each time. In 2011 Kyle was a 19 year old just starting out in business and he's certainly doing well for himself. So nice to see your smiley face again. xx Thanks again to you and Curtis for getting us safely back on the road back then.

Kyle Yenawine

Big new workshop

Kyle and Curtis and Kyle's bother and sister

After we left there Angie had an appointment and we then had a nice healthy lunch - Angie's amazing weight loss is an inspiration and I will have to try to emulate her success.  Hard while I'm on the road but I will try :)

We went for a drive along the beach and then to Ocean World and bought some gifts for Lee which I will post tomorrow and then  it was time to pick the kids up from school.

I leave Crescent City tomorrow for Medford where I will meet up with another friend, Thomas Ashton. Thomas lived in my home town of Adelaide (Australia) many years ago  although I never knew him at the time. We became acquainted through a random meeting between Lee and Thomas's nephew I believe he was, while she was in Hawaii  much later and I'm looking forward very much to meeting Thomas in person on Wednesday. 

I spent a couple of hours trying to ascertain a means of transport for Friday  from Medford to Portland without much success. When I get to Medford I'll call in at the Amtrak office and see what we can do.

Angie cooked another great dinner and we discussed tomorrow's looming election. It'll be a very interesting time in America and I hope that whatever the result there is no violence as predicted.

Well. you saw Derek's pre snip picture yesterday and this is his happy glowing face today.  As you can see he is not at all impressed with his new slim lined boy bits.

Mr Sunshine

Crescent City California

Weather Max 16 Min 12 

Daylight saving finished today and that added another hour to the great sleeps I've been having since I hit Crescent City. Seems I can pump out 9 or 10 hours of zzzz's with little effort. I don't know whether it's the great company, the clean air, lots of walking or just that I'm happy and relaxed. Probably a combination of all of the above. 

I've spent some time today in mourning for Derek's "manhood".  He went under the knife today. Poor baby. His little face says it all - this was before. I want to give him a hug but he's so far away :(

AWWWW :(

Chef Larry started us off right with cinnamon pancakes topped with the frosting from last nights cinnamon buns..........what a great way to start the day.  If he ever stops being a cop then he has another career assured.

A quote from The  Despicables..."It's so fluffy I could die"

We went to Front Beach Park so the boys could throw their boomerangs - Larry being the biggest boy. The end result was two wet little boys and a boomerang stuck in a very high tree for later retrieval.

We then went to the adjacent Marine Mammal Rescue Centre where they rescue and minister to injured mammals and the good news was there were no residents.

Point St George beach was the next port of call. Six miles (10 km) off the coast is the St George Reef light.  An inactive lighthouse  built on North West Seal Rock just visible on the horizon. Too far for a photo.

Point St George

We clambered down to the beach - not an easy task. The beach is very rocky and covered with stones and driftwood and shells of all descriptions....and.... a bone.  I decided it was human but we couldn't find the rest of the body so reluctantly accepted Larry's opinion that it is an animal bone. All I can say is if you have been swimming up this way and have lost a bone...call me....we have it.   We named it Bone...Jane Bone.

The sky was overcast and quite a wind was blowing, whipping up the sea. The tide was coming in and there was a lot of spray in the air. Of course....boys being boys....Gavin and Danny "accidentally" got wet lol. They must have been freezing but didn't seem to feel it. The joy of being young.

Soggy Kids

Angie

Angie and Cinnamon Man

As we were leaving the beach we met this beautiful girl....a rescued Newfoundland  who happily smiled for the camera.

Smile Please

We returned home to de-sand and de-salt the boys and get them into dry clothes and then headed to Wild River Pizza.......over the border into Oregon. Larry forced me to eat the best chips I've ever had...too many of them to count. Well he bought them and he put them on the table so I had to eat them.... didn't I? ......police brutality! The pizza was wonderful too....first time I've had lettuce on a pizza but it worked. There was a savage game or two of Air Hockey and I may have an aching arm tomorrow.

Half and half pepperoni and vegetarian

The chips were awesome - and big -
 and fattening - and delicious

We left the Pizza place and headed towards home but stopped at Rowdy Creek Fish Hatchery. An amazing place on a rapidly flowing river.  A flood in 1964 eradicated much of the spawning population and spawning grounds.  This is the Smith River and the Chinook Salmon are up to 65 pounds and the Steelhead up to 25 pounds. The hatchery take the eggs from some female salmon and spawn them and release the fish into the river. Each adult female yields about 3500 eggs. The hatchery also produces about 100,000 steelhead a year. It was really interesting and great to see the salmon swim upstream and leap above the waterfalls to get to higher water.

The salmon were leaping up this stream.
I took video and you could see them jump
but for some reason I can't get video
 to work on this blog. Shame.

I'm not really sure what beach this is but we stopped for a photo opportunity and I'm glad we did.

We finally returned home after an action packed day - too pooped to pop!  I didn't feel quite so guilty for feeling tired after a busy day when snores showed Larry had faded fast.

zzzz

We've been having an interesting ongoing discussion about the differences in the Australian pronunciation and spelling of some words and the American versions. Aluminium springs to mind as a controversial topic and at the end of the day - despite proof of spelling on a packet of foil and ample assistance by Mr Google we agreed to disagree lol.

I know sleeping will not be difficult tonight because.... zzzz ....zzzz......