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A Rainy Day In Wine Country – A Visit To Sonoma Valley, Day 84

Today we woke up to a rainy morning, but knew that the day would brighten, at least in spirit, as we headed south towards Sonoma Valley.

As we packed up the camper from a wonderful evening spent at Six Sigma Ranch, we were excited to finally visit the area where so many famous wines are produced.

In fact, we have been dreaming about visiting this section of California for many years.

As many of you know, we have a small vineyard of our own back at our little farm in Ohio.

Although we have yet to make our own wine, we have been sampling various red wine for years. Of course, this is only in an effort to perfect our future wine making skills.

sonoma valley vineyards
Even though it was quite cloudy and rainy, the views of the vineyards are spectacular.

And many of those wines have come from California. Both the Sonoma and Napa Valley areas are the home to some of the most famous wineries in the country.

And today, we head towards Sonoma to visit a few wineries and taste a few samples of local wines.

A Rainy and Winding Trip To Sonoma Valley

But the trip wasn’t exactly as we pictured a few months ago.

As we headed out of the driveway of Six Sigma Ranch the rain began to come down even heavier than before.

As soon as we regained cellular service, we followed our GPS directions towards the Sonoma Valley.

roads to sonoma
The drive to Sonoma Valley was a curvy and wet drive up and down narrow roads.

Unfortunately, the drive wasn’t an easy one. Between the rain and the winding roads, it was a ‘white knuckle’ drive.

But for Jim, who was actually driving, he was only slightly nervous as we encountered steep and narrow roads.

He handled the roads quite well. And to be honest, I was happy not to be at the wheel!

But the views around us were even more humbling than the drive itself.

The Impact of Forest Fires

Within minutes, we were faced with the reality that this area was directly impacted by forest fires.

Right next to the road there were hills upon hills that were stripped of all living vegetation. The only thing left were blackened tree trunks and branches that had little chance of long-term survival.

burned sonoma vallley
The devastation of the October 2017 forest fires are still very apparent.

And every few miles, there were handmade signs to thank the firefighters that helped during that horrific time period.

It truly was a breathtaking view. And not in a good way.

There were trailers and campers that filled the valleys. These have become the replacement homes for many people in the Sonoma Valley area.

However we were able to see some promising progress. In the distance we could see several new homes that were just starting to be built. And we even saw a few homes that were lucky enough to have been spared the wrath of the storm.

thank you
There are several signs to thank the Firefighters and First Responders for their efforts to save the area.

But everywhere you looked, you found evidence of the impact of the forest fire.

For us, the difficult drive alone made us think about what it must have been like trying to escape the area when it was engulfed with flames.

As drove into the city of Santa Rosa, we both took a deep breath and may have even wiped a tear from our eyes.

The Sonoma County Vineyards

But by late morning we finally arrived in Sonoma county. And through the light rain drops and clouds, you could see vineyards that filled the landscape.

And the wineries and tasting rooms seemed to pop up everywhere. Every few miles there were gated entrances that had signs indicating the winery hours and tasting room entrances.

sonoma valley vineyard signs
Whenever you stop at an intersection you can be sure to find signs directing you to local vineyards in the area.

We first came across the famous Mark West Winery in Santa Rosa. Here we found huge vineyards that lasted for miles upon miles.

Then we continued our drive around the Sonoma area. We were shocked at how many vineyards there were within a fairly short perimeter.

When I look back at it now, we were like two kids participating in a Scavenger hunt. We would look at every vineyard sign and see how many we could recognize.

But we couldn’t just say that we were familiar with that winery. We had to come up with where we actually had that bottle of wine.

Jordan winery
Jordan has become our favorite ‘celebration’ wine. And we finally had the chance to see where it is located in the Sonoma Valley.

However, we both were in our glory when we came across the maker of our favorite, special occasion wine.

Jordan wines have become the wine of choice when we are celebrating a special event.

And although they only do wine tasting and tours by appointment only, we were happy to actually see where our favorite wine originates from.

So here is to exploring an area that you have been looking forward to, rain or shine!

Happy Traveling! Jim and Mary

CURRENT TRIP STATS

  • Day 84 of 365
  • States : 11 / 50
  • National Parks / Monuments : 11
  • Stayed In : Sonoma, California
  • Miles Driven : 140.50
  • Total Trip Miles To Date : 8679.1
  • Total Gallons Used : 652.56
  • Biking Miles : 0.0
  • Biking Miles To Date : 142.5
  • Hiking Miles : 0.0
  • Hiking Miles To Date : 182.3

About Our Living Simple Tour

On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States

Follow along by signing up for our twice weekly email updates at the bottom of the page. You can also follow us on Facebook : Live Simple Tour Facebook and Instagram : Live Simple Now Instagram Page.

Why We Love Harvest Hosts Camping – A Memorable Stay At Six Sigma Ranch. Day 83

Using our Harvest Hosts membership to camp throughout the country is one of our favorite things to do.

And to know why, you have to look no further than our incredible stay this evening at Six Sigma Ranch, Vineyard & Winery in Lower Lake,California. as the perfect example.

Camping Sites On The Road

When you travel for an entire year on the road, you use every option for overnight stays.

using Harvest Hosts
Our stays at Harvest Hosts sites have let us experience some pretty amazing overnight places – like this Alpaca Farm in Colorado.

Commercial, public and private campgrounds. State and National Parks & Forests. And, even the approved parking lots of Cracker Barrel, Home Depot or Wal-Mart when options are limited! See : Camping For Free Off Grid

But without a doubt, we have had the most success, fun and downright memorable stays when using our Harvest Hosts membership.

It’s kind of crazy to think a $79 annual membership can open up over 900+ free camping sites across the country. And all at some of the most incredible farms, ranches, wineries, breweries – and even museums.

We love our Harvest Hosts membership – it has an incredible way to discover new spaces and places without breaking the bank.

An Amazing Stay At The Six Sigma Ranch, Vineyard & Winery

For us, the Six Sigma Ranch, Vineyard and Winery was like a home away from home. Well, except maybe for the fact that their ranch covers 4300+ acres, and ours a mere 3! 🙂

But with an outdoor pizza oven, sustainable farming practices, and even their own Farm to Table dinners – it was like a little slice of home for us.

We arrived in the midst of a massive rain storm hitting the area, but it certainly didn’t dampen our stay.

Seeing photos of the farm to table dinners at Six Sigma made us think back to our own version at the farm.

The owners and staff were simply over the top with their gracious hospitality. And to be honest, we seem to find that at nearly all of the Harvest Hosts locations we stay at.

Great People – Great Wine

When we first walked through the doors, we were greeted by Rozette, the Six Sigma event coordinator. Over the course of the next hour, we sampled Six Sigma’s incredible wines, talked, laughed, exchanged stories, and turned a rainy, gray day into pure heaven.

Six Sigma Wine
Our beloved plastic camper glasses. They hold everything from water, to juice to wine. But – unbreakable! Perfect for camping life!

As we were about to head to the camper for the evening, Rozette then introduced us to Christian, the President of the ranch and winery.

When we mentioned we still had to write a bit for the blog, they both offered us to hang out in their enclosed fire pit and patio area and use the wi-fi – even though they were closed.

For us, it was simply an evening to remember! And just one more reason we both love staying at Harvest Hosts’ sites.

We spent the evening working in the Six Sigma outdoor area with a nice little fire to stay warm and cozy. Can’t beat that!

One thing is for sure, if you ever find yourself in Lower Lake, California -stop in and see Rozette, Christian – and the Six Sigma Ranch.

Oh, and that $79 Harvest Hosts membership. It’s actually now 20% off until the end of the year with their holiday affiliate link! Harvest Host Discount Membership. Guess we should have waited for that savings!

Happy Traveling! Jim and Mary

CURRENT TRIP STATS

  • Day 83 of 365
  • States : 11 / 50
  • National Parks / Monuments : 11
  • Stayed In : Lower Lake, California
  • Miles Driven : 112
  • Total Trip Miles To Date : 8538.6
  • Total Gallons Used : 637.1
  • Biking Miles : 0.0
  • Biking Miles To Date : 142.5
  • Hiking Miles : 0.0
  • Hiking Miles To Date : 182.3

Glass Beach – How Trash Became A Tourist Treasure, Day 82

Today we had the pleasure of visiting Glass Beach in Northern California.

Glass Beach is the well-known southern beach of MacKerricher State Park located in Fort Bragg.

And as you can guess, it gets its name from the smooth colorful glass pieces that you can find throughout the pebbly beach.

However these glass pieces are also commonly known as sea glass. And although beyond popular belief, the beautiful pieces of smooth and colorful glass didn’t wash up on the shore naturally.

glass beach coves
These coves had been filled with trash for years and are now cleaned up for tourists to visit.

In fact, it was a combination of human actions and the ocean’s magical force that created these little treasures all over the beach.

How Did Glass Beach Form?

Before we talk about Glass Beach itself, let us give you a little history on how this famous beach got its name.

In the early 1900’s a beach in Fort Bragg was designated as the local dump site for residents. Here they could fill the area below the cliffs full of glass bottles, used appliances, and even vehicles.

glass beach full tide
Just off the beach the waves crash into the rocks, helping the glass breakdown into tiny smooth pieces.

The original dump became overflowing by 1943 and it was closed down. However, another beach in the area became the new dump site until 1949.

And when that one became full, dump site #3, now known as Glass Beach, became the public dump until it was finally shut down in 1967.

Clean Up Efforts At The Dump

For the next few decades there were many efforts to clean up the city dump areas.

The metal from the appliances and vehicles were removed either for scrap or local art work.

Glass Beach
When the tide rolls out, you can search the beach for the sea glass.

However, most of the glass was broken into small pieces and would be nearly impossible to remove.

Therefore, the glass remained on the beaches and over the years they have been broken down into even smaller pieces.

But the most interesting phenomenon that occurred was that the strong waves, current, and large boulders that encompass the beach areas have actually made the glass edges smooth.

Sea Glass

sea glass
Taking a look closely at the beach you can see the remnants of the glass bottles that once were here.

So now, many years later, you can actually walk on the beaches. And in low-tide, you can see the colorful pieces of sea glass among the pebbles at Glass Beach.

But as beautiful as the glass pieces are, you are NOT allowed to remove them from the beach.

At least not on Glass Beach. This beach has been absorbed by the State Park System. This preservation area does not allow you to remove any objects from the park, including the sea glass.

However, there are two other local beaches in the area that also home to sea glass. Although it is not illegal to remove the glass pieces, it is highly discouraged.

power of the waves
The waves will continue to mold the glass on this beach and the two others in the area.

As we heard one mother explain to her daughter, “If every visitor took just one piece of glass, there would not be any glass for other visitors to enjoy many years from now. And that would be a shame that they couldn’t see the beautiful glass pieces on the beach as we did today.”

We couldn’t have said it better…..

Happy Traveling! Jim and Mary

CURRENT TRIP STATS

  • Day 82 of 365
  • States : 11 / 50
  • National Parks / Monuments : 11
  • Stayed In : Fort Bragg, California
  • Miles Driven : 29.3
  • Total Trip Miles To Date : 8428.6
  • Total Gallons Used : 629.00
  • Biking Miles : 0.0
  • Biking Miles To Date : 142.5
  • Hiking Miles : 3.6
  • Hiking Miles To Date : 182.3

About Our Living Simple Tour

On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States

Follow along by signing up for our twice weekly email updates at the bottom of the page. You can also follow us on Facebook : Live Simple Tour Facebook and Instagram : Live Simple Now Instagram Page.

Thanksgiving Dinner On The Road In California- Day 81

You can’t celebrate Thanksgiving without having Thanksgiving Dinner. Even when you are a few thousand miles from home!

Thanksgiving day finds us stationed along the pacific coast, in the quaint harbor town of Fort Bragg, California.

Celebrating Away From Home

We knew when we planned this year-long journey we would have to change up our normal holiday traditions.

Thanksgiving dinner on the road
We spent Thanksgiving in the coastal town of Fort Bragg. I have to say that we have never before experienced Thanksgiving views like this in Ohio.

But knowing it’s only a temporary one-year hiatus from our family and friends certainly helps with being away.

And, thanks to the convenience of modern technology, it also means we can always stay in touch. And today was certainly a great day for that!

With the time difference to Ohio (3 hours), we were able to spend most of the early morning and afternoon catching up with everyone via FaceTime.

harbor
The harbor at Fort Bragg is loaded with fishing boats, restaurants and little shops – and is bustling with life – even on Thanksgiving day.

It is certainly not the same as being there, but it sure was great to get to see and talk to everyone!

But at the end of our day, there was one tradition that had to stay in tact – having a Thanksgiving dinner. And we certainly found the perfect place for that down at the wharf.

Thanksgiving Dinner At Silvers At The Wharf

Thinking it might be a bit hard to create an entire Thanksgiving feast in the camper, we headed down to have our dinner at Silvers At The Wharf.

A couple of locals told us of their big tradition of a great Thanksgiving day meal, and were they ever right!

The food was perfect. And quite honestly, it was hard to beat the view of the sun setting in the harbor while having Thanksgiving dinner.

the harbor view at Fort Bragg California
The view out over the harbor from our table at Silvers. It was certainly a Thanksgiving experience to remember.

One thing is for sure, we need to get back to a little hiking to work it all off!

And we will get a great chance tomorrow while taking in Glass Beach and touring around the Mendocino area. We continue to stay on schedule with our Dates For The States, and should be on track for Nevada by the 11th of December.

Happy Traveling – Jim and Mary

CURRENT TRIP STATS

  • Day 81 of 365
  • States : 11 / 50
  • National Parks / Monuments : 11
  • Stayed In : Fort Bragg, California
  • Miles Driven : 76
  • Total Trip Miles To Date : 8399.3
  • Total Gallons Used : 626.81
  • Biking Miles : 0.0
  • Biking Miles To Date : 142.5
  • Hiking Miles : 0.0
  • Hiking Miles To Date : 178.7

Happy Thanksgiving!! Sharing What We Are Thankful For, Day 80

Today we want to take a break from our typical travel stories to wish everyone Happy Thanksgiving.

A popular tradition that many of us have on Thanksgiving Day is to share with those gathered at the table, something that we are thankful for.

And because we will not be with our family this year to continue the tradition, we thought we would share what we are thankful for with you.

However, this year we are going to put a little twist on the tradition. Of course, first and foremost, we are extremely thankful for our family and friends.

Without the love and support of all of them, this trip would have never been possible.

But this year, because of our travels, we have a new perspective. Therefore, we have decided to list a few things that we are thankful while we have been on our journey across the country.

The People

One of the best things about our trip has been the people that we meet.

We have shared so many stories about the amazing people that start out as strangers and leave as friends.

thankful for peter
On the Coast Starlight Amtrak ride back from L.A. to Portland we met Peter. He was from Amsterdam and a puzzle maker, among many other things.

From those that we meet at local coffee shops, restaurants or in their own hometown that we visit, they all are simply amazing.

When they share their own unique stories with us we have learn so much. And the hidden talents that they hold are simply incredible.

We have met a 94 year old WWII veteran, a Soduko puzzle maker, newlyweds, homemakers, restaurant owners, wine makers, and even a rattlesnake catcher.

And of course, we love to meet those who follow our websites. We are thankful for everyone who we have met on our trip and the generosity of their time that each one has shared with us.

Smart Phones

But let’s get to other things that we are thankful for, such as Smart Phones.

Our phones have been a life saver for us! Not only are we able to call our family and friends, but we can also visually see and talk to them as well via FaceTime.

thankful for iphone
We would be lost without our smart phones. From basic directions to apps that help us find camping spots, it is priceless!

This helps us not only to stay in touch with them but also to make sure everyone, and everything, looks okay too.

But we also use our smart phones for GPS directions, research potential campgrounds and to find Harvest Host locations. Without the use of our phones we would be lost, literally!

Long, Hot Showers

We absolutely love our T@B camper and we are thankful that we have a full bathroom. Being able to take a shower wherever we are at, hooked up or not, is priceless.

But sometimes they are quick showers, and the space certainly is not roomy.

However, whenever we get a chance to stand to take a long, hot shower we take full advantage of that.

thankful for hot showers
We have enjoyed taking showers in many of the campgrounds that we have stayed.

In fact, we have been in several campgrounds that have had amazingly large and beautiful showers. And although we may only stay a day or two, we often take 3 or 4 showers while we are there.

Ninja Foodi Multi-Cooker

As much as I love our 3 quart Instant Pot, I would have to say that the Ninja Foodi takes the appreciation award this Thanksgiving.  

I love to cook, and not having an oven can sometimes be inconvenient while we are traveling for the year. However, I have learned new ways to use our Ninja Foodi to make entire meals without missing the oven at all.

For instance, not only can I pressure cook our turkey breast in it, but I can then turn on the Air  Crisp function to broil the skin as well. When it is all said and done, the turkey looks like it came out of the oven, but it tastes even better!

ninja foodi biscuits
We can even make biscuits in the Ninja Foodi.

But that is not all it can do. It has become our new way for reheating leftovers, making rice, and even baking cinnamon rolls and biscuits.

Laundromats

It has been a long time since either one of us had to use a laundromat. In fact, since our college days we could probably count on one hand how many times we have been in one.

However, because we don’t have a washer and dryer in the camper, we stop at a laundromat once a week. And we are thankful that they are in almost every town in America.

Even though we did laundry almost daily when we were at home, it seems that once a week works out perfectly for us.

laundromat
We are definitely thankful for laundromats! Although the clean clothes, clean sheets, are fantastic, people watching is an added benefit.

And I forgot how convenient it was to wash three loads at the same time! We use the time that we are there to answer emails, work on our websites, and sometimes just to read.

Plus, what better place to people watch than a laundromat?

Recycling Centers

This may sound funny, but we absolutely miss having the ability to run down to our local recycling center to deposit our plastic bottles, glass jars, and cardboard.

Depending where we are traveling, it has been sometimes difficult to find any area that has a recycling canister.

Therefore, we end up keeping the items in a reusable grocery bag or a cardboard box in the back of our truck until we can find one.

Lucky for us, most Target stores have recycling bins located inside their front lobby. So as long as we can find a Target that is open when we drive by, we are good.

recycle happy thanksgiving
We hold all of our recyclable materials in the bed of our truck until we can find a recycling center.

However, now that we are in California, we can find recycling bins everywhere! And for that we are thankful!

So today, while you are giving thanks for your family and friends, take an extra minute to think about some of those little things that you are thankful for as well.

Happy Thanksgiving and Traveling! Jim and Mary

CURRENT TRIP STATS

  • Day 80 of 365
  • States : 11 / 50
  • National Parks / Monuments : 11
  • Stayed In : Redway, California
  • Miles Driven : 119
  • Total Trip Miles To Date : 8323.3
  • Total Gallons Used : 621.14
  • Biking Miles : 0.0
  • Biking Miles To Date : 142.5
  • Hiking Miles : 0.0
  • Hiking Miles To Date : 178.7

About Our Living Simple Tour

On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States

Follow along by signing up for our twice weekly email updates at the bottom of the page. You can also follow us on Facebook : Live Simple Tour Facebook and Instagram : Live Simple Now Instagram Page.

The Big Storm Rolls Through California – And The Lights Go Out!

And just like that, the Big Storm hit, and the entire town of McKinleyville, California is dark!

As nearly everyone in the country knows, there are big storms wreaking havoc all over.

And although we are out of harm’s way when it comes to snow and ice, the 60 to 80 mph winds hitting the California coast today caused a lot of power outages.

In spite of the heavy rain and blowing winds, we were able to tour the beautiful town of Eureka, and its many Victorian homes.

As we were driving back to our McKinleyville campsite in the early evening, we were treated to quite the light show.

And unfortunately, it was the town’s transformers blowing up! It was a bit surreal to see the sky fill with flashes, and the town go dark.

The harbor at Eureka is filled with fishing boats and more! The town really is captivating with it’s charm and beauty. Even in a driving rainstorm!

As we made our way back in complete blackness to our campsite, we were quite happy to see the camper completely in tact and out of harms way. And thankfully, with full power thanks to the solar batteries!

What a crazy ending to a day that was actually nothing short of sensational.

Eureka and Septentrio Cellars Winery

It all started off with a trip to the quirky coastal town of Eureka.

The city is brimming with everything from huge artistic murals to a massive collection of Victorian style homes. And we took time to take in as many as we could.

Eureka is filled with murals that adorn many of it’s buildings. There is no denying this city’s love for the arts.

Including its biggest and most famous Victorian structure, the Carson Mansion (pictured at the top of the article). Constructed in 1884, the Queen Anne Victorian has been completely restored, and now operates as a private club.

Before heading home to the light show, we decided to stop in the town of Arcata and take in a beautiful little winery named Septentrio.

Septentrio Winery

We are after all in California, and getting closer and closer to Napa Valley!

the big storm
What a pleasure it was to meet the owners of Septentrio Winery! We enjoyed an evening of great conversation, and incredible wine!

There are a lot of talented winemakers on the west coast. And they make a lot of great wine.

But beyond the great wine making and vino at Septentrio, it is the passion and friendliness of the owners and staff that take it over the top.

They were simply a pleasure to talk with, and even invited us to share in their Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday as well. Unfortunately, we will already be down the coast a few hours near Fort Bragg, but what an incredibly sweet gesture!

We say it often, but there are amazing people all over this country! Happy Traveling – Jim and Mary.

  • Day 79 of 365
  • States : 11 / 50
  • National Parks / Monuments : 11
  • Stayed In : McKinleyville, California
  • Miles Driven : 41.7
  • Total Trip Miles To Date : 8204.3
  • Total Gallons Used : 609.15
  • Biking Miles : 0.0
  • Biking Miles To Date : 142.5
  • Hiking Miles : 2.7
  • Hiking Miles To Date : 178.7

About Our Living Simple Tour

On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States

You can follow along by signing up for our twice weekly email updates at the bottom of the page. You can also follow us on Facebook : Live Simple Tour Facebook and Instagram : Live Simple Now Instagram Page.

Redwood National and State Parks – A Visit With Giants, Day 78

As we headed down the coast on Highway 101, we took a little detour to drive through the Redwood National and State Parks.

But our first stop was at a private residence where you can actually drive through a redwood tree.

However, I have to admit it was a little challenging.

driving through redwood tree
As you can see, it was a tight fit but we made the drive through. This is one of only 3 Redwood trees that you can actually drive your car through.

First of all, we were towing our camper with us. We had to unhitch it in the parking lot so that we could drive up the steep switchback incline to where the tree was located.

Then when we got up there we weren’t sure that the truck was actually going to fit through the massive opening.

However, you only get the opportunity to drive through a tree once, so we were determined to make it happen. We folded the mirrors in and carefully inched our way through the tree.

Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway In The Redwood Forest

Redwoods State Park
The scenic drive through the Redwood State Park.

After hitching the camper back to the truck we made the short drive to the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway.

This was a 10 mile alternative drive off Highway 101 that takes you through the heart of the old growth redwood forest in the Redwoods State Park.

And within minutes of being on the path, our jaws began to drop. The sheer size of the trees that we were driving by were simply massive!

old growth redwood trees
Not only are the trees huge in circumference, they are also massive in height as well.

The trunks on some of the trees were so big that it would take at least seven large men to wrap their arms around them.

And although we tried to take pictures to capture their magnificent size, the photos really don’t do them justice.

The ‘Big Tree’

But lucky for us we were able to hike to the ‘Big Tree’. Here the age and size of the Redwood was documented.

big tree
The ‘Big Tree’ is over 1500 years old and has survived the test of time!

This tree has been alive for over 1500 years!!!! If only it could tell stories on everything it has seen and been through.

As we continued to hike the trails we simply were in awe of the Redwoods that surrounded us. The sheer size of the trunks and the height of the trees made us both feel tiny as we stood among them.

Once we got back in the truck we continued our drive, stopping every couple miles to take another picture of a beautiful Redwood tree.

mary in redwood tree
Just to give you some perspective Mary is standing in a partially hollowed out Redwood tree.

We even had the chance to stand in a trunk that had been hollowed out from a forest fire.

If our drive wasn’t magnificent enough, as we were leaving the Redwoods State Park we got an up close and personal view of an elk.

He was laying on the side of the road and he appeared to be posing for pictures as visitors were driving by.

the elk in the Redwoods
On our way out of the Redwood forest we were greeted by an elk that was laying on the side of the road.

It was the perfect way to wrap up a majestic drive through the Redwood forest!

Happy Traveling – Jim and Mary

  • Day 78 of 365
  • States Visited: 11 / 50
  • National Parks / Monuments Visited : 11
  • Stayed In : McKinleyville, California
  • Miles Driven : 78.4
  • Total Trip Miles To Date : 8162.6
  • Total Gallons Used : 609.15
  • Biking Miles : 0.0
  • Biking Miles To Date : 142.5
  • Hiking Miles : 2.7
  • Hiking Miles To Date : 178.7

About Our Living Simple Tour

On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States

Follow along by signing up for our twice weekly email updates at the bottom of the page. You can also follow us on Facebook : Live Simple Tour Facebook and Instagram : Live Simple Now Instagram Page.

Touring Battery Point Lighthouse – All The Way To The Top! Day 77

Our visit to the Battery Point Lighthouse gave us our first chance to climb to the top of a lighthouse.

And what a view it was!

Much like covered bridges and old barns, lighthouses hold a magical place in the hearts of many. And that includes us for sure.

After seeing so many lighthouses along the coast, we were excited to finally be able to climb to the top of one!

Over the course of the last four to six weeks, we have had the good fortune to visit and photograph many of the lighthouses that still dot the Pacific Northwest coastline.

Back in the day, and before the advances of modern navigation, hundreds of these towering structures helped guide ships to safety. And in the process, brought commerce and growth to the coastal towns.

battery point lighthouse
The view from the top! After climbing up the spiral staircase and a ladder rung, we were rewarded with this amazing view.

But with the advances of modern navigation, lighthouses became obsolete. And in the process, many were shuttered and eventually torn down.

All of the ones we have come across on our journey have been closed to the public. Either because they have fallen into disrepair, or sold off to private interests.

Talk about a view of the roaring seas! This photo was taken at ground level at the lighthouse.

So you can imagine our joy to finally come across Crescent City California’s Battery Point Lighthouse & Museum – and find out that it’s not only open to the public – but you can actually still climb to the top of it’s lighthouse tower!

So that is exactly what we did!

The Battery Point Lighthouse

The Battery Point Lighthouse first lit up the shoreline on December 10th of 1856. Until it closed, it was staffed with a full time keeper, and his family as well. As one would leave, another family would move in.

the spiral staircase of the lighthouse
The spiral staircase at the lighthouse leading up to the tower. It was a tight fit, but well worth it.

Back then, with no electricity, the towers light came from oil lamps. Finally in 1907, when electricity finally came to the tower, the oil light was replaced with a bulb.

The walls of the lighthouse are an astounding 2 feet thick. Constructed from granite, they have stood the test of time. Including several tsunamis.

lighthouse light
The original beacon prism and light from the lighthouse. This one now sits in the lobby at the bottom of the Battery Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse is still in operation today. As we climbed to the top, you had to turn a bit when

In 1964, the lighthouse keepers watched from the towers as a series of massive waves crushed the mainland. The waves soared into the structure as well, but it survived in tact.

Standing there in the top of the tower, we could only imagine how terrifying that had to be!

One thing is for sure, we can cross trekking to the top of a lighthouse tower of of the bucket list! Happy Traveling – Jim and Mary

CURRENT TRIP STATS

  • Day 77 of 365
  • States Visited: 11 / 50
  • National Parks / Monuments Visited : 10
  • Stayed In : Crescent City, California
  • Miles Driven : 13.5
  • Total Trip Miles To Date : 8084.2
  • Total Gallons Used : 603.30
  • Biking Miles : 0.0
  • Biking Miles To Date : 142.5
  • Hiking Miles : 3.5
  • Hiking Miles To Date : 176.0

About Our Living Simple Tour

On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States

You can follow along by signing up for our twice weekly email updates at the bottom of the page. You can also follow us on Facebook : Live Simple Tour Facebook and Instagram : Live Simple Now Instagram Page.

The Pacific Coast Scenic Byway – Traveling Down U.S. Route 101, Day 76

As we leave Oregon and head into California we have decided to continue down U.S. Route 101 instead of taking the quicker, interstate path.

We have had the opportunity to travel down the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway through two different states so far and you just can’t beat the views!

Our first time that we decided to take Route 101 was when we were traveling out of Lacey, Washington. We were making our way south to Oregon and we had to make a decision on which road to take.

oregon coast
Views like this would never be seen if we would have taken the interstate.

We basically had two options. Interstate 5 would allow us to get from Lacey to Portland in just under 2 hours.

However, we knew that we wanted to see more of America than lanes of traffic and exits filled with fast food restaurants and gas stations.

So we decide to head about as far west as you can go and take U.S. Route 101 down the coast instead.

U.S. Route 101

And that is exactly where it took us. However, before we we got to the coast we had to go through some small fishing towns along the Chehalis River.

The narrow streets were filled with mom and pop bait shops, country stores and one or two local restaurants. And about every driveway that we passed was the home to a fishing boat.

oregon marsh
The views along Route 101 are spectacular. We even took time to eat lunch right off the highway.

But as we headed further south and west, the scene became much different. We were traveling adjacent to Willapa Bay where the views were that of large marshes that were filled with wildlife.

It was a gorgeous scene and I could sit there all day. In fact, we did take a long break from driving to eat our lunch right on the side of Route 101 to enjoy the view.

And once we got back on the road, we headed to Long Beach, Washington. This is where we had the chance to actually drive our truck and camper right on the beach.

We Reached The Pacific Coast!

I would have to say our first encounter with the Pacific Ocean was a spectacular one. And it was all courtesy of U.S. Route 101.

However, since that day, there has been nothing but spectacular views as we continued to travel through Oregon and now into California.

When we first arrived in Oregon we stopped in Astoria. Although it is a huge port town, it still has a small town vibe to it.

And who knew that the movie ‘Goonies’ was filmed here?

Route 101 bridge to Astoria
The Route 101 bridge that takes you from Washington to Oregon.

Then we headed to Seaside, Cannon Beach and Oswald West State Park. We were able to walk to beaches, take in the views of ocean water violently crashing against huge boulders and to watch surfers take on the waves.

Although we took a short break from Route 101 as we headed to Portland for a few days, we both knew that we would be enjoying the scenic byway once again.

So we skipped the opportunity to travel down the interstate and headed back to the coast after our stay in Eugene.

Back To The Pacific Coastal Highway

But this time the scene was quite different. Although we were very close to the beach, this time the road took us through National Forests.

And the view was spectacular. There were huge pine trees that lined both sides of the street. And by huge, I mean that they had to be over 100 feet tall and they were as straight as they could be.

pine trees
Pine trees line each side of U.S. Route 101 as we drove through a National Forest.

We passed several logging trucks along the way and the sheer size of the tree trunks was amazing.

During our travels we passed in and out of the forest on several occasions which led us back to the pacific ocean coast.

There were several pull off areas that are designed for travelers to stop and take a look at the scenic view. Several of which we took the opportunity to do.

And as we passed into California we had the same spectacular views. Our first night in California took us to the small coastal town of Crescent City, right on Route 101.

Sunset Crescent City
At the end of the day we stopped and watched the sunset at Crescent City, California.

And within a few minute of arriving, we were able to watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. This is definitely a view that we never get tired of.

So here is to taking the scenic view whenever you can!

Happy Traveling -Jim and Mary

CURRENT TRIP STATS

  • Day 76 of 365
  • States Visited: 11 / 50
  • National Parks / Monuments Visited : 10
  • Stayed In : Crescent City, California
  • Miles Driven : 133.6
  • Total Trip Miles To Date : 8071.5
  • Total Gallons Used : 602.35
  • Biking Miles : 0.0
  • Biking Miles To Date : 142.5
  • Hiking Miles : 1.4
  • Hiking Miles To Date : 172.5

About Our Living Simple Tour

On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States

Follow along by signing up for our twice weekly email updates at the bottom of the page. You can also follow us on Facebook : Live Simple Tour Facebook and Instagram : Live Simple Now Instagram Page.

Our Last Day In Oregon – The Coast & Ocean In Full Color! Day 75

Today is our last day in Oregon. And did we ever get to see it in full color along the coast!

We both agree that so far on this journey, Oregon has now become our favorite.

And that is saying a lot, considering the incredible beauty and scenery of the other 9 states we’ve visited to date.

Last day in Oregon. Lighthouses along the way
We have been able to visit so many lighthouses on this trip. And it never gets old. This one is located in Bullards Beach State Park on the lower coast of Oregon.

For us, it really comes down to how much diversity Oregon has to offer.

You are just a few hours from snow covered mountains, an ocean view, or incredible forests.

All with incredible hiking, biking and views that are sensational. And that doesn’t even count the incredibly fertile valleys and farmlands of the interior portions of the state.

The Last Day In Oregon

We drove to Bullards Beach State Park to spend our last day a little closer to the California border.

The park was in pristine condition, and filled with campers for the weekend. It always makes for a fun time when the campgrounds are full of people and life.

It was a short walk from our campground site to the ocean. And as you can see from the photo and video below, the views were spectacular.

last day in Oregon
The rough and tumble seas of the Pacific Ocean. It was a chilly evening at the campground, but an oh so beautiful way to spend our last day in Oregon.

On the drive to our campsite, we passed through several coastal towns that each had their own unique look and feel. We both love stopping as we drive through the tiny towns. It gives us a chance to sample local food ( clam chowder for one), and stroll through all of the shops.

Last day in Oregon
The drive to our campsite along the coastal highway was filled with incredible views at every turn. With temps in the mid 60’s during the day, it makes for a nice walk on the beach.

The Lumber Barges

If there was one thing that really came as a surprise on the drive, it was the lumber barges. Barge after barge in the port towns were being loaded with huge logs. With some of the ships carrying thousands of logs at a time.

It really drove home the fact to us just how much the timber industry and Oregon go hand in hand.

logging ship on the coast
You have to look closer, but those are gigantic logs on that huge barge. Oregon is certainly lumber country, and not sure where this boat is going, but has thousands of those huge timbers on board!

It is hard to believe that our time in Oregon is coming to a close. And that means California is up next!

It will take us close to two weeks to work our way through the lengthy state. And remember, if you have any suggestions for us to see, be sure to leave it on our California page! Happy Traveling – Jim and Mary

CURRENT TRIP STATS

  • Day 75 of 365
  • States Visited: 11 / 50
  • National Parks / Monuments Visited : 10
  • Stayed In : Ballards Beach State Park, Oregon
  • Miles Driven : 161.4
  • Total Trip Miles To Date : 7937.9
  • Total Gallons Used : 592.38
  • Biking Miles : 0.0
  • Biking Miles To Date : 142.5
  • Hiking Miles : 2.3
  • Hiking Miles To Date : 171.1

About Our Living Simple Tour

On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States

You can follow along by signing up for our twice weekly email updates at the bottom of the page. You can also follow us on Facebook : Live Simple Tour Facebook and Instagram : Live Simple Now Instagram Page.