12-13
After saying goodbye to our hosts in Chiliwack, we crossed the border at Sumas, took about 20 minutes, no problems. Drove the inland road, 9, much smaller than the I5, then crossed it and went onto Whidbey Island, with the intention of catching the ferry from Coupeville across to the mainland, but one ferry was out for repairs, so half the runs were cancelled, and the others were all full until 6.00 pm, when we could go on standby and maybe get a start, so we decided to give that a miss. The option was to continue on down to Clinton and catch another ferry to Mukiteo, where we could drive on down to Renton, a area just out of Seattle, and catch up with Billy and Sue, who we had met in San Cristobel in Mexico. They in turn were staying with their friends Tom and Vaneva, and we parked the truck in their yard for a couple of nights. Tom gave us a lift into the city and did a couple of walking tours, very interesting. Billy and Sue left to baby sit their daughters house and dog for a few days, so Tom and Vaneva graciously let us stay for the second night before we headed off south the next day.
After saying goodbye to our hosts in Chiliwack, we crossed the border at Sumas, took about 20 minutes, no problems. Drove the inland road, 9, much smaller than the I5, then crossed it and went onto Whidbey Island, with the intention of catching the ferry from Coupeville across to the mainland, but one ferry was out for repairs, so half the runs were cancelled, and the others were all full until 6.00 pm, when we could go on standby and maybe get a start, so we decided to give that a miss. The option was to continue on down to Clinton and catch another ferry to Mukiteo, where we could drive on down to Renton, a area just out of Seattle, and catch up with Billy and Sue, who we had met in San Cristobel in Mexico. They in turn were staying with their friends Tom and Vaneva, and we parked the truck in their yard for a couple of nights. Tom gave us a lift into the city and did a couple of walking tours, very interesting. Billy and Sue left to baby sit their daughters house and dog for a few days, so Tom and Vaneva graciously let us stay for the second night before we headed off south the next day.
The Space Needle in Seattle, one of the cities icons
Pike Place Market, another city icon. This is also the place where Starbucks started, store number 1 is just around the corner from here.
14-15
Fuelling up the next morning, our Visa card wouldn’t work for some unknown reason, and a guy that was in the servo stepped in and paid for our fuel, and wouldn’t let us reimburse him. His name was Patrick, and he wouldn’t let us argue with him, (he was a big guy too!), Patrick worked for the local council, and showed us where the waste water dump was. Top guy, thanks mate.I had a big fight with Lyn, over a stupid GPS call, so things were a bit frosty for the rest of the day. We drove down the main highway to Longview, crossed the river into Washington, then over to Astoria. From there south down the coastline, very pretty place. A trip down a small road to the water south of Tillamook found us a small pull in off the road, so that’s where we wild camped. Their was a long board surfing competition on at Cape Kiwanda on saturday, and we decided to go along for a look, so put the day in checking out the area, then stayed another night at the same pull in.
Fuelling up the next morning, our Visa card wouldn’t work for some unknown reason, and a guy that was in the servo stepped in and paid for our fuel, and wouldn’t let us reimburse him. His name was Patrick, and he wouldn’t let us argue with him, (he was a big guy too!), Patrick worked for the local council, and showed us where the waste water dump was. Top guy, thanks mate.I had a big fight with Lyn, over a stupid GPS call, so things were a bit frosty for the rest of the day. We drove down the main highway to Longview, crossed the river into Washington, then over to Astoria. From there south down the coastline, very pretty place. A trip down a small road to the water south of Tillamook found us a small pull in off the road, so that’s where we wild camped. Their was a long board surfing competition on at Cape Kiwanda on saturday, and we decided to go along for a look, so put the day in checking out the area, then stayed another night at the same pull in.
One of the big bridges on the highway south of Seattle
16
Watched the start of the surfing comp, but the surf was too small to make it interesting, so we left and continued south. As we were in no hurry, we ambled on, checking out the beaches on the way, it is a really beautiful coastline, shame the weather is so cool up here. A bit of necessary shopping on the way, and we stopped at a State Park just south of Florence for the night. Climbing a sand dune to look at the water, we saw the same fog coming in we saw down in Mexico, it was so thick we couldn’t even see the water, and the wind coming in from the sea was really cold. It is so weird, the sun was shining behind us over the inland…...
Watched the start of the surfing comp, but the surf was too small to make it interesting, so we left and continued south. As we were in no hurry, we ambled on, checking out the beaches on the way, it is a really beautiful coastline, shame the weather is so cool up here. A bit of necessary shopping on the way, and we stopped at a State Park just south of Florence for the night. Climbing a sand dune to look at the water, we saw the same fog coming in we saw down in Mexico, it was so thick we couldn’t even see the water, and the wind coming in from the sea was really cold. It is so weird, the sun was shining behind us over the inland…...
A picture of a small part of the Oregon Coast, it really is ruled and pretty at the same time, and goes on for mile after mile. A lot like our Great Ocean Road, but on steroids.....
17
Drove to south of Port Orford, more stunning views along the way. We did stop at a campground to take some pictures of some caribou that were wild, but had got used to people, and liked the short mowed grass of the campsites, so spent their time hanging around the sites like they were pets......
18
We met a french guy named Ben on a 650 Versys in the carpark at Mcdonalds while we were getting some wifi, and told him about the HU meeting in Mariposa. He had never heard of Horizons Unlimited, and was killing time on his way north until the snow stopped where he was going, so he said he may turn up there. We kept driving, and camped on a roadside stop just past a landslide area outside Garberville.
Drove to south of Port Orford, more stunning views along the way. We did stop at a campground to take some pictures of some caribou that were wild, but had got used to people, and liked the short mowed grass of the campsites, so spent their time hanging around the sites like they were pets......
18
We met a french guy named Ben on a 650 Versys in the carpark at Mcdonalds while we were getting some wifi, and told him about the HU meeting in Mariposa. He had never heard of Horizons Unlimited, and was killing time on his way north until the snow stopped where he was going, so he said he may turn up there. We kept driving, and camped on a roadside stop just past a landslide area outside Garberville.
One of the wild caribou that was hanging around a campground near the highway.
19
We took the tourist coast road south, and ended up camping on top of the cliffs next to the sea just north of Jenner for the night. The wind was howling, and rocking the van, but there was nowhere to shelter from the wind, so we just got rocked to sleep.
We took the tourist coast road south, and ended up camping on top of the cliffs next to the sea just north of Jenner for the night. The wind was howling, and rocking the van, but there was nowhere to shelter from the wind, so we just got rocked to sleep.
20
Another day driving south, where we ended up wild camping next to the river at Rio Vista for the night. We had committed to doing some talks at the HU meeting, so had to be there on time.
Another day driving south, where we ended up wild camping next to the river at Rio Vista for the night. We had committed to doing some talks at the HU meeting, so had to be there on time.
21-23
The next 3 days we were at HU meeting in Mariposa, California. Ben, the french guy we had met a few days earlier turned up, so he must have listened to us more closely than I thought. Also good to catch up with Susan and Grant again, we haven't seen them for a couple of years. We had two talks to do, Morocco and Eastern Europe, and ended up doing both of them twice. As usual at these events, you meet some great people, and so it was here, well worth the trip and having a deadline hanging over our head, some we both hate.
The next 3 days we were at HU meeting in Mariposa, California. Ben, the french guy we had met a few days earlier turned up, so he must have listened to us more closely than I thought. Also good to catch up with Susan and Grant again, we haven't seen them for a couple of years. We had two talks to do, Morocco and Eastern Europe, and ended up doing both of them twice. As usual at these events, you meet some great people, and so it was here, well worth the trip and having a deadline hanging over our head, some we both hate.
24
Packed up and left the HU Meeting, after having a great time. From here we were heading to one of those must do things, and spent the night in the forest near the entrance to Yosemite National Park.
Packed up and left the HU Meeting, after having a great time. From here we were heading to one of those must do things, and spent the night in the forest near the entrance to Yosemite National Park.
25
Did a tour of the park, bus trip along the valley on the back of a semi trailer full of seats, quite interesting. Yosemite didn’t have the wow factor I thought it would, maybe I’m getting spoiled by all the sights we’ve seen on the trip? Left the park, and headed for San Francisco. All good roads, and the weather was good, getting warmer too as we left the higher altitudes, and down towards the coast. We found a “Vista Point” beside the 120 overlooking a lake, magic spot, and a great view.
Did a tour of the park, bus trip along the valley on the back of a semi trailer full of seats, quite interesting. Yosemite didn’t have the wow factor I thought it would, maybe I’m getting spoiled by all the sights we’ve seen on the trip? Left the park, and headed for San Francisco. All good roads, and the weather was good, getting warmer too as we left the higher altitudes, and down towards the coast. We found a “Vista Point” beside the 120 overlooking a lake, magic spot, and a great view.
The famous rock face in the park. If you look closely, you can see a couple of rock climbers in the picture, these guys typically take 2 or 3 days to climb this face, sleeping in tents they anchor to the cliff. Not for me thanks, I would probably roll out of bed during the night.......
26-27
Drove into San Francisco, and found a rest area, or "Vista Point" at the north end of the Golden Gate bridge, where we slept in the truck for a couple of nights. A terrific view, great location, and a really good price! A hop on hop off bus got us around the area, (one of its stops is at the vista point), and a free walking tour showed us the city in more detail. Also a tour of city hall, where they have an average of 60 weddings a day!
Drove into San Francisco, and found a rest area, or "Vista Point" at the north end of the Golden Gate bridge, where we slept in the truck for a couple of nights. A terrific view, great location, and a really good price! A hop on hop off bus got us around the area, (one of its stops is at the vista point), and a free walking tour showed us the city in more detail. Also a tour of city hall, where they have an average of 60 weddings a day!
The view on our first morning, we couldn't work out why the fog horns were sounding, we could only see blue sky out of Izzy's window!
The city skyline at sunrise, with the bay under the fog
This little guy was getting ready to eat some Maccas he found under a park seat. We spotted him on our walk back to Izzy one night.
One of the more famous weddings conducted at City Hall
Parking is not cheap here, that's about $82 AUS!
When ya gotta go, ya don't always need a reason......
28-30
Another one of the must see areas of the city
Another one of the must see areas of the city
28-30
We had two more things we wanted to do before leaving San Francisco, a visit to the steep hill at Lombard St, and a walk around the Haight Ashbury area. Driving around these areas is testing, but we managed to get them done without too many problems. Both interesting in their own way, and both with a lot of tourists. From there we headed down the coast to Sunnyvale, where we stayed with Alex and Marina, a couple we had met at the HU meeting in Mariposa. The trip down the coast as far as Half Moon Bay was fine, then across the range to San Mateo wasn’t too bad, but from there the traffic was terrible. It took over 2 hours to travel less than than 40 miles, on “freeway” conditions! Of course we timed our run to maximise our exposure to rush hour, as we usually do. Alex and Marina met us and made us feel very welcome, it was great to meet up with them again. We took the opportunity to catch up on some washing, and a bit of maintenance, the fridge has been acting up a bit over the last few days, so shore power is also a great help so get things cold again. The thermostat switch is dodgy, but after playing with it for a while, it has kicked in again, so all good. Sunday was another fine day, and Alex has a couple of spare bikes, so we decided to all go for a ride over to the coast for the day. Another rider we met at the HU meeting, Dan, lives nearby, so we contacted him and he came along as well. He has a few bikes to pick from, and unfortunately the one he picked, a KTM Duke, had battery problems, lucky Alex had a jump starter with him. A really good ride through the hills, lots of twisties, a top ride. Both Alex and Marina have Kawasaki Versys 650’s, and Lyn and I both rode them, very impressive bike, we both really like them.
We had two more things we wanted to do before leaving San Francisco, a visit to the steep hill at Lombard St, and a walk around the Haight Ashbury area. Driving around these areas is testing, but we managed to get them done without too many problems. Both interesting in their own way, and both with a lot of tourists. From there we headed down the coast to Sunnyvale, where we stayed with Alex and Marina, a couple we had met at the HU meeting in Mariposa. The trip down the coast as far as Half Moon Bay was fine, then across the range to San Mateo wasn’t too bad, but from there the traffic was terrible. It took over 2 hours to travel less than than 40 miles, on “freeway” conditions! Of course we timed our run to maximise our exposure to rush hour, as we usually do. Alex and Marina met us and made us feel very welcome, it was great to meet up with them again. We took the opportunity to catch up on some washing, and a bit of maintenance, the fridge has been acting up a bit over the last few days, so shore power is also a great help so get things cold again. The thermostat switch is dodgy, but after playing with it for a while, it has kicked in again, so all good. Sunday was another fine day, and Alex has a couple of spare bikes, so we decided to all go for a ride over to the coast for the day. Another rider we met at the HU meeting, Dan, lives nearby, so we contacted him and he came along as well. He has a few bikes to pick from, and unfortunately the one he picked, a KTM Duke, had battery problems, lucky Alex had a jump starter with him. A really good ride through the hills, lots of twisties, a top ride. Both Alex and Marina have Kawasaki Versys 650’s, and Lyn and I both rode them, very impressive bike, we both really like them.
SF tram ride
These streets are the centre of a pretty famous area in our music history, interesting walking around here.
On our ride with Alex, Marina, and Dan, doing some jump starting on Dan's bike.
1st October
Time to hit the road again, so off down the 17 to Santa Cruz, then followed the coast down as far as we could towards Big Sur, but the road is closed due to a massive landslide that has taken the whole road away for miles, it will be at least another 12 months before it re-opens. A real shame, as the scenery is beautiful along the coastline. We drove back up to Monterey, then down the 101 to get around the slide area, but it was starting to get late, so spent the night at a truck stop just south of King City.
Time to hit the road again, so off down the 17 to Santa Cruz, then followed the coast down as far as we could towards Big Sur, but the road is closed due to a massive landslide that has taken the whole road away for miles, it will be at least another 12 months before it re-opens. A real shame, as the scenery is beautiful along the coastline. We drove back up to Monterey, then down the 101 to get around the slide area, but it was starting to get late, so spent the night at a truck stop just south of King City.
2
After a good night’s sleep, we continued on and turned back towards the coast at Paso Robles, passing through a large wine growing area. We stopped for a tasting at one of the wineries, but unlike a lot of Australian wineries, the tastings are not free. A very helpful young lady who had worked at a winery in the Barossa Valley helped us out, and we did try a couple of nice wines. From there we hit the coast again, and drove down to Morro Bay for a look around. A very pleasant little town with a good anchorage, quite a few sailing boats there. The weather was being kind to us, fine and warm during the day, and cool at nights. Continuing on, we hit the southern coastline again and found an overnight stop at a vista point right next to the sea, looking out towards the Channel Islands, and some offshore oil rigs that look like ships lit up at night. Unfortunately it is a popular stopover for trucks as well, so it was a night with interrupted sleep from trucks stopping and starting.
After a good night’s sleep, we continued on and turned back towards the coast at Paso Robles, passing through a large wine growing area. We stopped for a tasting at one of the wineries, but unlike a lot of Australian wineries, the tastings are not free. A very helpful young lady who had worked at a winery in the Barossa Valley helped us out, and we did try a couple of nice wines. From there we hit the coast again, and drove down to Morro Bay for a look around. A very pleasant little town with a good anchorage, quite a few sailing boats there. The weather was being kind to us, fine and warm during the day, and cool at nights. Continuing on, we hit the southern coastline again and found an overnight stop at a vista point right next to the sea, looking out towards the Channel Islands, and some offshore oil rigs that look like ships lit up at night. Unfortunately it is a popular stopover for trucks as well, so it was a night with interrupted sleep from trucks stopping and starting.
3-7
We had contacted Ken Freund, another guy we had met at the HU meeting, who lives near this section of the coast, and arranged to meet him for lunch at Ventura Harbour. Along the way we called in to the harbour at Santa Barbara and had a look around, another nice stop over. Lunch with Ken was great, good to catch up with him again. He had ridden down on his bike to meet us, but we both had to get going, so he headed off home, and we got ready to fight the traffic of LA. What a fight it was, after Malibu, the traffic started getting heavier, and it took us 4 hours to cover the 60 miles to Greg and Karen’s house in Riverside, just east of LA. We had met Greg and Karen in Cabo San Lucas in Mexico, when they were staying at the same time share place as us, and we were keen to catch up again. We were made very welcome, and for the first time since we left Arizona in July, didn’t sleep in the truck. Poor Izzy, we felt a bit like we were deserting her! Spent a few days house sitting and sightseeing, thanks for having us guys, we really enjoyed it.
We had contacted Ken Freund, another guy we had met at the HU meeting, who lives near this section of the coast, and arranged to meet him for lunch at Ventura Harbour. Along the way we called in to the harbour at Santa Barbara and had a look around, another nice stop over. Lunch with Ken was great, good to catch up with him again. He had ridden down on his bike to meet us, but we both had to get going, so he headed off home, and we got ready to fight the traffic of LA. What a fight it was, after Malibu, the traffic started getting heavier, and it took us 4 hours to cover the 60 miles to Greg and Karen’s house in Riverside, just east of LA. We had met Greg and Karen in Cabo San Lucas in Mexico, when they were staying at the same time share place as us, and we were keen to catch up again. We were made very welcome, and for the first time since we left Arizona in July, didn’t sleep in the truck. Poor Izzy, we felt a bit like we were deserting her! Spent a few days house sitting and sightseeing, thanks for having us guys, we really enjoyed it.
Harbour and Marina in Ventura
Along the coast near Ventura
With Greg and Karen at their house
Some of the crazy traffic around LA, I could not live here!
One of those famous beaches, I was just standing in for the Hof while he was busy....
Worlds largest surfboard, it had 66 riders on it on one wave, and now is in the Guiness Book of Records
8-9
From the coast we headed inland towards Arizona, via Death Valley, and spent a night at Ridgecrest, wild camping. From there we entered Death Valley, and really enjoyed it, I thought it was one of the best National Parks that we have seen. The day was spent seeing what we could, including driving through the section used in the filming of Star Wars. It was getting dark when we drove up to watch the sunset, and then drove out of the park on the eastern side and found an abandoned RV park to wild camp in for the night.
From the coast we headed inland towards Arizona, via Death Valley, and spent a night at Ridgecrest, wild camping. From there we entered Death Valley, and really enjoyed it, I thought it was one of the best National Parks that we have seen. The day was spent seeing what we could, including driving through the section used in the filming of Star Wars. It was getting dark when we drove up to watch the sunset, and then drove out of the park on the eastern side and found an abandoned RV park to wild camp in for the night.
This is part of the road used in the filming of Star Wars
Izzy parked with some of his mates while we went for a walk
The sign says it all.........
Overlooking Death Valley, we watched the sunset from here.
10
A casual drive to Las Vegas the next day, to the discount outlets for some retail therapy, something we are not big on, but we needed some stuff replaced. That night we stealth camped in the street outside one of the casinos
A casual drive to Las Vegas the next day, to the discount outlets for some retail therapy, something we are not big on, but we needed some stuff replaced. That night we stealth camped in the street outside one of the casinos
11
On route 66, after a long drive, we found enough room to pull over and wild camp on our way to the Grand Canyon.
On route 66, after a long drive, we found enough room to pull over and wild camp on our way to the Grand Canyon.
These trains are huge, and carrying containers stacked 2 high, a good way to shift a lot of freight
12
Visited the north rim of the Grand Canyon National Park, and that night wild camped with another Aussie couple in a rented RV we met on the road that day. The camping spot was the same one we had stayed at after we left Arizona months before, seemed like years ago.
Visited the north rim of the Grand Canyon National Park, and that night wild camped with another Aussie couple in a rented RV we met on the road that day. The camping spot was the same one we had stayed at after we left Arizona months before, seemed like years ago.
Our campsite near the canyon, with the other aussies we had met that day
13-14
That had been our last night on the road for the year, we had our flight booked back to Oz, so spent the day driving back to Bevan and Clare’s in Phoenix, where we loaded Sammy the Yammy into the truck. Our last night was with Bevan and Claire, then the next day we dropped the truck and bikes off at an RV storage yard for our time away, Ubered to the airport, and headed home for a few months. It had been an exciting couple of years, lots of changes, and lots of new friends. Looking forward to getting home for a bit, then into the next years adventures. Cheers.........
That had been our last night on the road for the year, we had our flight booked back to Oz, so spent the day driving back to Bevan and Clare’s in Phoenix, where we loaded Sammy the Yammy into the truck. Our last night was with Bevan and Claire, then the next day we dropped the truck and bikes off at an RV storage yard for our time away, Ubered to the airport, and headed home for a few months. It had been an exciting couple of years, lots of changes, and lots of new friends. Looking forward to getting home for a bit, then into the next years adventures. Cheers.........