Petaluma KOA

The Petaluma KOA~ this place is pretty amazing! First of all, it is huge! 300+ campsites, tent sites, and cabins for rent. They have lots of activity on the weekend, a lovely pool, a petting farm, and kids!!!

We were unsure if we would stay, but we have decided that yes, this will suit us for our time here. There is a drive for Cliff, and he is already looking into other possible routes to use, the major highway (101) is under construction here at our exit, but he says that the commute itself is not bad. There is plenty of easy shopping, a lovely Safeway store, plus Trader Joe's and Wholefoods; which is a first for me! I have never had either in easy shopping distance!

The kids are happy, even when we are "stuck" here and Cliff is at work! So, that is a big plus! We are in the middle of Sonoma County, known as the wine & cheese area! Yeah! We have already tried some local cheeses that are available at the store; but are looking forward to touring the farms!

Cliff has had a long first week, with 2 short days of orientation, plus 3 full 12 hour nights! So, the exploring will begin next friday!

Here are pictures of the KOA!

our campsite, but we will move to a end site tomorrow!

large field with horses and cows between front of the campground and highway 101

the jumping pillow; awesome energy burner!

a lovely pool, open until 10/31, yeah!

The Redwoods!

So, we had two awesome nights on the side of 101 in Crescent City! Shockingly quiet, no one minds if you stay overnight in the parking areas right on the ocean!

After that we moved deeper into the redwoods and stayed in Klamath River at an actual campground with water, we actually showered! It was lovely!

We toured the Redwoods and drove the Avenue of Giants on our way to Westport, California! We had to stop in there, which was primarily a campground and small corner market, population 299!

We were able to stay right on the ocean here as well!

Now were are in Petaluma! This is a very large campground, we have not yet decided if we will stay! But the kids enjoyed the pool today!

Here are some pictures from the Redwoods and our awesome overnight sites by the ocean!

We miss everyone & hope you are all having a great start to the school year!

Crescent City

the fog coming in over Crescent City

a giant fern in the Redwoods, they said that Jurassic Park was filmed here! We know why!

We hiked the north Coast trail and it led to this!

Did I mention the elk? We came across several herds while in the Redwoods.

Fern Canyon. When we started this hike, we were unable to proceed on the trail we chose, as you can see below!

This is actually on the way back he moved on just as we came back, but we were able to get by him.

Another herd!

and another bull!

ok, so we should probably mention the trees too! They were/ are truly amazing!

Look at how they dwarf our little home!

the Redwood thinker!

Crater Lake!

Well, we have not had much cell and wifi reception, but I guess that is what happens when you are in some of the most amazing nooks and crannies of our nation!

In Oregon, there is only one national park, Crater Lake. And it is a sight to behold! This is a volcano, that literally blew it's top thousands of years ago, has since filled with snow and rain to be the deepest lake in the US and the ninth deepest in the world, and has 4 volcanoes within it! It is ranked the ninth most dangerous volcano in the US and it has a pumice desert that is 50 feet deep of ash and volcanic debris. Now I am sure I have forgotten some of the other amazing facts, but really the view is where it is at!
So look at what we got to see!

We left Crater Lake on tuesday afternoon and decided to make our way all the way to the California coast in Crescent City. Our first view of the Pacific was fantastic! We spent 2 nights and a rainy day in Crescent City.

Days like these, yes, this is why we are doing this!

Moving On ....

It is time for us to say goodbye to Idaho!

We have seen almost every region, from entering the state in the southeast corner, traveling up to Spokane, WA then across from Coure d'Alene to Montana, back through the Lolo forest and then, finally, to Ketchum and across the Sawtooth Forest! We feel that we have done justice to our 13 weeks, enjoying the mountains and forests, the lakes and people!

Our next stop on our journey will be Santa Rosa, CA! We will be staying in Petaluma, approx 35 miles north of the Golden Gate bridge! We were hopeful to land in this area! I am super excited to catch up with my cousin, Courtney who lives in San Francisco  and also my high school friend, Bekki!

Our last day here is next monday!

Mrs Barker!!

Well, we are happy to say that we were able to see our friend Mrs Barker, in Ketchum! Mrs Barker was Gavin's second grade teacher last year. When we told her about our trip to Idaho she told us that her son lives here. She felt that we would be able to see each other over the summer! I have to admit that I was skeptical, but open minded. As the time has marched on it did not seem likely, but then she called with an invitation! Come to Ketchum and see the largest non-motorized parade in the NorthWest! And we were able to say yes. So, we drove over with the camper and met Mike, Lisa, and George. They had other friends and family visiting the area as well. Somehow it was a chance to see Ketchum, make new friends and relax without feeling like we were in the way or a nuisance! 
The kids loved playing with George, who is just 9 months old, and also playing and walking Atwood, the yellow lab.
The parade was amazing and town was very bike and walking friendly, which we did a lot of!
Here are the pictures!

front row seats!

hmm .... not sure what to say about this one!

this is a tribute to the Native Americans, a group of young bareback riders

no parade is complete without a camel in a top hat!

Mrs J, we found your baby bison! Gavin petted him after the parade.

the grand finale: a 20 mule team pulling 6 Ore Wagons! It was a bit of work to get them around the corner!

Then the ride home thru the Sawtooth National Forest ::

Redfish Lake

thank you very much to Mrs Barker & family for a terrific weekend!