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Fabulous Bird of Paradise!

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Northern California

Our first stop was the Amphora winery, a recommendation of my cousin Andy.  Just north of Napa, and we were welcomed by Stacy and Jim, meeting owner Rick later.  Excellent taste treats!

 

Rick, the owner

Then up the 101 as far as Willits.  A beautiful rainbow on the way...

 Then over toward the coast on Highway 20, and an overnight stay again in a pullout.  Lots of rain brought out the forest smells.

A short jaunt to Mendocino, an artistic little community on the coast.  A beautiful walk around town and down to the headlands.

 Our new fascination...this gallery is in Fort Bragg.

 Then up the coast to Eureka.  Had a couple rounds in Dave's Bar, a really warm and friendly little neighborhood watering hole.  Bartender Steve and new friend Gary.

I also talked with a friendly young guy that took the stool next to me...  turns out his parents are about my age...  I asked his name, and with a little grin he replied, "Pueo."  It means owl in Hawaiian...  his mom saw an owl when she was carrying him in utero...  last name?  Dube... pronounced as doobie.    Really.  Ah, the children of hippies.  We had a great time there.






But then... trying to spend a night in Eureka before heading on up the coast.  Went to the Walmart parking lot, as we have done many times before.  First of all, we were rousted out by a security guard who said that we couldn't stay there because this Walmart is a part of the mall, and we're not allowed to stay in their lot.  Hmmmm, ok.  He told us to go around the back toward McDonald's by a bunch of semis.  Ok.  So we did.  Then around midnight, there was a huge machine running by our camper!  I looked out and it was this big zambonie type sweeper, making huge figure eights.  He ran by our camper at least 5 times.  I stepped out and asked him what was going on...  He said it was his job, he was sweeping up excess gravel.  Hmmmm, why do the same area over and over, when the parking lot was huge???  So he went to another part of the lot...   Then around 1:00 in the morning we were rousted out by a policeman saying that we were not allowed to park there, and that he was surprised that our bikes had not been stolen by now.   Hmmmm........

Well, all three of them were nice, but the message was pretty clear to me.  After staying overnight in many Walmart lots, several roadside rest areas or pullouts, and even just parked on a city street in a couple of towns, with no one bothering us, here in Eureka we got the message three times in the space of a few hours.  "Down the road, Jack!"  Got it.  At 1:30 AM we went down the road and relocated by Toni's Cafe in Arcata.

LA to the Bay area

Karen's school friend Amy lives in Colorado, but her mom lives in Santa Barbara!  Amy offered for us to stay in a "cabin" behind Moppy's house, and we took her up on it!  a beautiful place for a two days' restful stay.  Moppy gave us two passes to the Sea Center, which showcased jellyfish.  Awesome!!  Thanks, Moppy and Amy!

Moppy's house

The cabin behind Moppy's house that we called home for two days thanks to
Moppy and Amy...my good friend from high school.

Jellyfish 

Strawberry Anenomes

We stopped for an hour's leisurely stroll through San Luis Obispo.  A gorgeous sunny day, window shopping for free, and lots of people loving Tank.  A highlight was the Bubble Gum Wall.  Wow!

We made our way slowly up Route 1 toward the Bay area, staying the first night in a pull off just south of Big Sur.  Incredible coastline scenery!!

 

Next stop (briefly!!) was the famous Hearst Castle.  A brief tour for $25 each, or the deluxe tour for $100 each!!  No thanks!  We pass...







Next we pulled off to view the elephant seals, which like many species, have been brought back from the brink of extinction.  Amazing animals, hanging on the beach and enjoying the sun!

At one point we were getting low on gas...  pulled gratefully into a small station at the side of the road...  the sign said the only gas for 40 miles...   they were charging $6 a gallon!!  Why?  Because they can.

Pull off to the side of the road and enjoy the sunset.

More beautiful miles along the coast the following day on our way to Half Moon Bay!

Then to Half Moon Bay to meet up with Karen's friend Helen and her fiancee Maikel.  We had a great time, listening to live music and catching up.  Helen and Karen taught together in Ecuador.

 We went back to their apartment and Maikel showed me his recording setup.  He is an awesome musician, sax, flute, clarinet and keyboards.  He shared a cd that he recorded a few years back.  Nice tunes, rolling down the road!  Happy Birthday, Helen!!

Then Karen and I shared a meal at a Mexican restaurant to celebrate Valentine's Day.  Joy!!

Next a rendezvous with Jane and Gigi in Alameda.  Jane and Karen worked together in Madison.  They really enjoyed Tank, being between dogs at the present time.  What a nice time, planning to stay for one day but it easily stretched to two days.  Thanks for the pleasure of your company!!

Jane's favorite flower, flowering outside their door!

We also took two day trips in San Francisco.  The first day we met up with Abe, another work pal of Karen's.  He toured us around the Fisherman's Wharf area and treated us to lunch at Alioto's.  Thanks, Abe!

This picture is worth a thousand words...where else but California! 

Taking the ferry from Alameda to San Francisco, passing under the Bay Bridge

 The second day found us on Market Street, meeting up with Erin, daughter of Lisa at the Cottage Cafe in Amboy, and former middle school student of mine.  A great lunch at a little neighborhood cafe, and lots of political talk!  Feel the Bern!!

 Then off up the coast again, heading toward Portland and Karen's sister Lisa.