2018.04.15-Klamath, CA

2018.04.15-Klamath, CA

We are on the far northern California coast and camped literally across the street from the Redwood National and State Forests.  Today, it will not reach 50 and is rainy.  A great day to stay inside!  They tell us this is the rainy season and that it will stop about mid May.  Interestingly the huge redwood trees and forests are nourished with daily dense fog.

We've been out of pocket since we've been here as we've had no phone or data services, but are celebrating fixing that problem yesterday by posting of our first Klamath edition of our stay in this lovely area.  Hope you enjoy.

Klamath is a small town about 40 miles south of the boundary between California and Oregon.  Fishing along the large Klamath river is a big deal, especially during the salmon run in the late summer.

The Pacific Coast overlook views are remarkable and only a few miles from our Kamp site.

These are more properly Forest Lilies but this area claims to be the US Capitol for Easter Lilies

Along the coast I found some natural "Hens and Chicks" growing around the rocks.

Some pretty purple conical flowers along the coastline.  Google doesn't know these beautiful flowers, if any of you all recognize them please let us know.

The Redwoods are like a rainforest with all sorts of mosses and plants growing on the forest floor.

Looking up at tree mushrooms the sunlight makes them transparent

Look closely and you'll see Linda as perspective for how large these trees really area.  The groves around this part of the country have so many trees that are so large that it is a spiritual experience to walk among them.

The closest town for groceries and other stores is Crescent City, California, 20 miles north of us.  We just happend to catch the "Pirate Fest" last weekend and were able to tour a couple of actual touring ships built to resemble the real thing.

Rope rigging on the good ship  Lady Washington.  Notice the fuzzy or natural sponge looking things on the ropes at the top of the pictures.  These are to protect the ropes from rubbing holes in the sails and are called baggy-wrinkles.

This is the mermaid protecting the harbor of Crescent City, an active fishing port.

And lastly we leave you with the sunset on Pacific waves here in Redwood country.

2018.03.25-Lake Havasu City, AZ

We spent the past 10 days in Lake Havasu City Arizona which is a nice lake community on the  Colorado River, the state boundary between California and Arizona.  Our general impressions were lots of water and lots of desert, an enjoyable respite for us but not a serious contender on our list of places to move to.

This is in the Havasu National Wildlife Reserve and this shot shows the incredible contrasts in this part of the world.  The plants think it is still winter here, the yellow grass in the upper right is actually oceans of reeds in the Colorado River marsh.  They provide a necessary stop over for the many migrating birds that come by.

Beautiful mountains of many strata and colors

If there is water the Great Egret is usually around

This part of the world provides a definite show at sunset.  Throw in a Pacific rainstorm and clouds provide even more accent and color.

These next few pics are of a series of reproduction lighthouses on the lake.  There are about 15 in total and they are about 1/4 normal size and do not function, other than to look nice on the lakeshore.

I'm sure everyone has heard the story of the bridge from London torn down stone by stone and reassembled in Arizona.  Well it resides here in Lake Havasu and it is a center piece for the community.  The London Bridge was originally constructed the 1870s and was moved here in 1969 just 2 years after Lake Havasu City was established.

Yes sir, that is an original English red phone booth behind the palm.

We caught this tree and it's mustard colored flowers in full bloom.



Next we journey to Klamath California on the Pacific coast, in the middle of the majestic redwoods, and just 40 miles from the Oregon state line.  We are looking forward to working there for about 3 months as camp hosts and are expecting to make several blog posts of the sights and our adventures.  Thanks for following us.

2018.03.12-San Diego, CA

2018.03.12-San Diego, CA

We fell in love with San Diego.  It was a refreshing stop over for us.  So much so, that we extended our stay two times.  Here are some of the highlights in photos from the last portion of our trip.

This is one look at Alcazar Garden within Balboa Park

Another view of Alcazar Park.  We caught these blooming trumpet vines at just the right time.

This is a statue of good ole Balboa the Explorer on the Plaza de Panama within Balboa Park.  Much of this park was built for the Panama-California Exposition in 1915.

This is the Lily Pond just outside the Botanical Building (large brown building in background) again, within Balboa Park

Within the Botanical Garden the variety of plants and flowers was really spectacular

Entrance to the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park.  If you haven't guessed by now Balboa Park is huge (like 1200 acres)  including many museums, theaters, the San Diego Zoo, schools, cathedrals and art centers.

A Koi pond within the Japanese Garden

A bamboo water timer within the Japanese Garden.  When full the lower bamboo stalk will rotate to the ground, dump its water cache and then come back up for more starting the whole process over again.

A waterfall and serene setting within the Japanese Garden.

Sunset along the Silver Strand just outside downtown San Diego

We met some good friends at this home with an iconic SoCal view in Fallbrook CA

Large bushes of Azaleas in full bloom were everywhere.

Another of the iconic spots within the San Diego area is Mission San Diego de Alcala.  Notice the viney cactus growing on this tree.  We had never seen anything like that.

Another view of Mission San Diego de Alcala

And still another shot from the Mission.  If you enjoy succulents this is the place for you!

Our time is up for this San Diego stop.  We've had a wonderful time, seen many beautiful places and eaten many good meals.  We certainly didn't see it all and just as certainly will be back again, probably to this same RV Park which we thoroughly enjoyed.

Next it's on the Lake Havasu AZ for a few days then we'll work our way up to the redwoods of Northen California where we have taken a three month position as Camp Hosts at Kamp Klamath in Klamath CA.  We begin our adventures at the base of these huge, peaceful and beautiful trees

 April 1.  The adventure continues...

2108.03.03-San Diego, CA

2108.03.03-San Diego, CA

We arrived in San Diego February 18 and will leave March 11.  This has been a wonderful RV park, we would definitely come back here.  The San Diego area is refreshing with the beautiful Pacific Ocean and bay on one side and the arid, almost desert like rolling hills on the other side.  There are huge, brilliant and blooming bougainvilleas everywhere!  Even the cactus are blooming here.  And the temperature is in the high 50s to 60s, clear, crisp and dry.  So nice.

We met up with my elementary school friend, Jenny, and her husband, Tim who gave us a wonderful tour around the bay area.  The Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery overlooking downtown San Diego in the background was one of the stops that was particularly poignant.  Thank you veterans!!

Jerry and I explored the Cabrillo National Monument.  Google says:  “Cabrillo National Monument is at the southern tip of the Point Loma Peninsula in San Diego, California. It commemorates the landing of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo at San Diego Bay on September 28, 1542.”  We also enjoyed the beach and the picturesque light house on the grounds.

Point Loma lighthouse on the Cabrillo grounds

That same day, we found a great seafood restaurant near Cabrillio, Point Loma Seafood.  The fish tacos were fabulous!

Another day, we ventured to the Torrey Pines State National Reserve.  According to their web site [www.torreypine.org], Torrey Pines consists of ”1,500 acres of land as it was before San Diego was developed — including the maritime chaparral, the rare Torrey pine, miles of unspoiled beaches, and a lagoon that is vital to migrating seabirds.”

We can't get enough of the Pacific and her beaches!

The Torrey Pine is unique in the world as it has 5 needles per bunch

Next it's on to San Diego's Balboa Park.  This place is huge!