Escape from the (North) Northwest II

C-Bill · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 2:57 pm Post subject:

For those people considering crossing into Baja or Mexico beware. Some American tourists have been held captive for big $$$$$$$$. You'll get tired of eating burrito's. Sad

Better give it some serious thought.

Sorry,

Bill

JamesTXSD · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 4:08 pm Post subject:

And a beautiful sunset it is, Ron. I really enjoy the "no schedule" attitude; please keep it up! Cool

Too often, we set schedules for ourselves, then post them somewhere, and one feels the need to meet that schedule. One of the best things about retirement has been being able to go where and when you want.

We were able to spend some time along the Oregon coast when we were on our way to pick up our boat... our rep from the factory called and said that they'd moved the delivery back "a day or two," so we had the time. Beautiful area. Your photos remind us that we need to get back that way.

Spring in Baja is mighty nice, too. The only time you may want to avoid it would be in July and August... when it is called by some "The Celiba-Sea"... 'cause it's so hot you don't want to be touched! Disgust

Keep the posts coming... from wherever suits your fancy.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

Grumpy · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:37 am Post subject:

Ron,
You guys really got lucky there. That is one of our favorite places in winter to go storm watching. The sight and sound of that surf is unforgettable. (specially if you think about launching!)

If you continue down the coast road, watch out for the liquor stores as soon as you cross the Californian border. You will love the prices!!

Take care,

Merv & Kathy

Ron on Meander · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:27 am Post subject:

Everyone raise their hand who has driven highway 101 and #1 from Washington to California. Alright, anyone who doesn't have their hand raised add this route to your bucket list. I had first driven this route as a young guy back in 78. I had forgotten how incredible it is. Absolutely amazing scenery, incredible views, twisty, windy roads and interesting small town America.(for the most part. Some of the places, like San Francisco can be a bit on the large size.)

This route is incredible. Especialy if you are driving a rig 56ft in length! For a lot of the route the width of the trailer wheels is only about 4 inches less than the width between the yellow and white lines. On the sharper, slow to 15 mph corners the trailer would be over the white line and the steering wheels on the truck over the yellow. Fun! Shocked

Especially when its Anne's turn to drive on the stretch between Fort Bragg and Petaluma. I'm not all that fond of heights and some of this stretch is on shear cliffs, with drops of hundreds of feet to the sea. Anne is a former professional trucker, logging trucks, b-trains etc. She is also not afraid of heights. You get the picture. She's having fun driving and I'm taking "bites" out of the seat on the passenger side. You have to drive this road though, its one of the special routes in the world.

Merv,
Thanks for the "liquor store tip." Its always great to save money! Wink

We finally got the boat into US waters for the first time on the Petaluma river.
Met Jeff on Traquilla, a CD 25 at the Marina there. Nice four hour cruise of the River.

Its been three weeks since we started from Vancouver and we're now only at Pismo Beach Ca.

If you gotta stop for four days, just cause you want to, this isn't such a bad place to hang out! Laughing

And just for Sea Wolf Joe some big beautiful beach ladies. Laughing

And for Wild Blue, these aren't no Frickey Dickey dolphins, these are REAL sea mammals.

Ron on Meander · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:34 am Post subject:

I couldn't seem to get the picture of Highway #1 to post so I will try it here.

Ron on Meander · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:37 am Post subject:

Seem to have posted this twice

Grumpy · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:32 am Post subject:

Great stuff Ron. I'm with you on the teeth marks in the seat. We know of one such section of road that was not there the second time we visited. It was about 200ft lower. Shocked

Kudos to Anne Rose

Glad you found the Liquor store, what we saved on taxes there just about paid for our vacation that year, but it was lucky that we had no accidents on the way home with all that booze on board.

Keep on posting.

Merv & Kathy.

JamesTXSD · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:38 am Post subject:

Hi Ron,

We're really enjoying your travel essay! While I think the dolphins are cuter than those elephant seals, I really enjoyed the profile shot. You are staying true to your boat name with the meandering. Thumbs Up

Keep those reports coming.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

CAVU · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:50 am Post subject:

Ron,
Great photos. I have driven that route before, although I have chewed it off in smaller bites over the years. I agree it is one of the most scenic in the US. I can still remember Anne taking the dogs for a swim in that cold water in Desolation sound-I doubt there is much that would faze her. Good travels.

El and Bill · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:16 am Post subject:

Ron -

Just to tempt you guys - would you consider a 'slight' detour on your route south and come on over to Lake Mojave for the boat gathering of Feb 12-16? Just take a left turn on I-15 from CA to NV and come on over for a few days of socializing and scouting for Big Horn Sheep. El and I might even get tempted to hang around after the Gathering and maybe wet the hull in Lake Mead, if you guys have any interest. We'll 'guard' your boat at the marina or in a cove if you want to 'slip off' for a few days checking out Vegas. Tempted?

Robbi · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:49 am Post subject:

I have driven 101/1, but the trip I will never forget is a bicycle trip I made during my senior year in college along part of this route. 101 in Oregon, California and then Hiway 1 into San Fran. Fantastic.

Robbi

lloyds · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:07 am Post subject:

I drove the whole route in sept. of 2002. Hit the golden gate on 9/11/02. Barrier and military people and equipment everywhere. No one was in the checkpoint at the moment so I just buzzed through like I belonged there. That is a very picturesque drive. I was surprised there are so few campgrounds along the route through california. And access to the beach was really limited. Was also amazed how the ocean fog came right up to the centerline stripe.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 2:31 pm Post subject:

During my Freshman year in college in 1960, I drove the entire Oregon border to San Francisco route down Hwys. 1/101 during Christmas Vacation in a Fiat 600 cc 2-door sedan smaller than a VW Bug! (Good dune buggy with snow chains on the rear engine/drive wheels.)

Absolutely beautiful and much of it still pristine back then. Rose

One of my best memories of all time! Rainbow

Joe.

Captains Cat · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 2:56 pm Post subject:

During my Post Graduate School days in Monterey, we lived for a year in a rental house in Carmel Highlands South of Point Lobos just off Rt 1 high up on a hill. On a clear day, we could see Kim Novak's house on the water! A great time except the deer ate all our roses Rolling Eyes

and the racoons were viscious! The house was uninsulated too, with lots of glass. We sure went through a lot of firewood...

That was BC of course (Before Children) Very Happy

Pat Anderson · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 3:30 pm Post subject:

OK, I Googled it, and it is actually Lake MOHAVE rather than MOJAVE. Probably should be Mojave! Anyway, Ron and Ann - I would say this is an offer you can't refuse! What is the point of being a nomad if you can't take a left at California when a great opportunity like this pops up? Laughing