OCTOBER — A BIT OF A STRANGE MONTH

The weather for the first part of October was superb. Time in California had some family kerfuffle to work through, which I hope now has been worked through; we had a lot of driving time and family time and HEAT in CA; we returned home to what has become “smoke season” or fire season with Air Quality of issue. All of these things, though many were fun and loving, had me biking very little. Now in the smoky air, I am “grounded”.

At the very beginning of the month, Lucy and Kate flew up here on their own and we took the light rail to pick them up at the airport.

They arrived safe and sound and happy ;’-).





Lucy would have a few days with here lifelong family friend in Bellingham. We would have individual time with Kate which included a ferry trip to visit and have play time with her cousins Andre and Etienne.

When Lucy returned from her visit we drove them home to California with stops along the way camping, hiking, a little fly fishing, a visit with family, and some tide-pooling on the beaches. Susan had gotten a kit for ballon animal making and they both had fun with that as we drove.

Our first stop along the way was to visit and spend the night with their Great Uncle Greg and Great Aunt Rebecca who live on the Oregon Coast. They were great hosts and tour guides for us.

The girls played a bit of the ‘dice game’ before dinner.

And the next day they took us to the beach for a picnic lunch and some tidepooling.

Greg the patient uncle stands by Lucy.

They find a few things to appreciate. 

We get good views of the ocean and the shore filled with boulders and rocks, and I get a walk.

We had enjoyed our time with Greg & Rebecca, and all the fun of the beach and it was now time to continue on. We tried to take the girls to see the Sea Lions but the lions were out in the Ocean! Next time girls.

Our stops along the way — stretch our legs, use the restroom, have a snack — provided fun for the girls at random playgrounds.

Lucy will not forget this putt putt golf course where she made what seemed to be an impossible Hole In One!!

More fun and innovative playgrounds were a hit.

Several walks on several beaches was also enjoyed by all of us.

There was even a beach hut to clean up.

We grouped up for photo inside this tree cave…

…and look how startled we are.

More beach exploring and then a stop for a bit of fly fishing.

You had to climb down to the beach.

Where they ended up. 

Some time to fly fish for at least a little. Susan was pleased to see that Lucy remembers her casting lessons, and casts quite well.

They took turns.

Kate thinks there may be better fishing over there (isn’t there always?)

Then she spied something else of interest (don’t they always?)

We ended our trip along the Oregon Coast and entered California driving along the Trinity Scenic Byway (Hwy 299) which wanders along the Trinity River that is classified as a wild and scenic river. It was gorgeous drive with not only views of the river, but trees and forests all around and slow winding roads. This Northern California back road takes us on an “amazing” adventure (said the brochure and was right). 

By this time the girls were ready to be home. We stayed at their house a couple of nights and were able to attend the soccer games that the girls played and the flag football game that Jaydon played. Then we moved on to another phase of our adventure. That will come in my next post very soon.