♪♫ Climb Every Mountain ♪♫

Yesterday, we hiked the narrow, rocky trail to the Fire Observation Tower at the top of Mt. Tamalpais inMarin County for the panoramic views the locals raved about. They were right! We could see our campground red arrow  which is across  from San Quentin Prison blue arrow and just minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge.  What breath-taking views! We’re really enjoyed exploring this area but tomorrow we begin our trek to the Midwest to gather the rest of our belongings before heading to Robert’s next job in Tulsa, OK. What a change in weather we are about to experience!  We’re really going to miss the Spring-like weather here in California, not to mention the wonderful friends ~Judy and Darryl~ we’ve made here.  

 

As warm as it’s been the trees and flowers believe it’s Spring.

Onward we go, to yet another adventure.

Welcome New Follower!

The Old Geezer

 

Blessings Y’all!

 

 

yikes!

Seriously?

We’re taking a ginormous camper and that big-o long truck on Highway 1? 

  You know, that two-lane highway skinnier than Twiggy remember her? with switchbacks tighter than a…drum. Yes, you can look straight down those cliffs into the jagged rocks and ocean below….

Am I ready to meet my Maker?

Yes, but I’d like to survive this so I can do some more stuff like Ped-Egg my heels and learn to dance the can-can ~  We even consulted with our campground neighbors, Hal and Vickie from Cloverdale in Sonoma County, a delightful couple who gave us a recommendation for a campground in Bodega Bay, IN CASE WE MADE IT!

 NOT the White Cliffs of Dover~

H

A

  N

   G

 

    O

     N

 

   

 

The hunk-o-love I’m married to, otherwise known as  “the greatest driver EVER” had no problemos!

We got some good pics and great video.

for when we’re old and can’t remember

 

We made it!

 

just in time to get the camper set up and head to Bodega Head for a spectacular sunset.

Migratory whales are spotted in this area January – April.

Topping off the night: Fish Tacos and Flash Fried Dungeness Crab  at Rocker Oysterfellers

Today was amazing! We saw everything from deer in the woods to powerful ocean waves.

Thanks, God~

  

Welcome New Followers!

Blessings Y’all!

 

absolutely no hippies

Yesterday, we walked with Giants, not the baseball team but the Coastal Redwoods on the Avenue of the Giants in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Wow, I thought the Redwoods were big in Muir Woods (California Dreamin’) but these guys were spectacular.  The largest one we saw was the Dyerville Redwood Giant which actually fell in 1991. Measured in 1972, the it stood 362 feet tall. It was estimated to be 1600 years old. Unbelievable!   Although our truck wouldn’t fit, there were even some trees you could drive thru!

wanna feel small? visit the Giants!

  

nope, we won’t be boondocking here…

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today we visited some beaches… (so different from the gulf coast I’m used to!)

 

…and hiked down to the Trinity River /Gray Falls…

  

S E R I O U S L Y ?

I’M CONFUSED ENOUGH ALREADY!

…then drove home via Hwy 3 and 36 along the Mad River.

  

What a great day!  One more before we move on toward  San Francisco…again.

Welcome New Followers!

kyotesue

John and Judy

Blessings Y’all!

California Dreamin’

The California Giant Redwoods of Muir Woods

These Giants have personalities.

Some whispering, “Come closer.”, some storytelling the past, some enticing you to look up, still others encouraging you to shout, sing or pray.

Truly majestic~

 

  

 

Did someone say, “Beach?” Muir Beach and Stinson Beach

 

 Fisherman’s Wharf (fabulous seafood), Haight-Ashbury(Hippieland), and the Trolley Cars

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What trip to San Francisco would be complete without crossing that famous bridge?

Alcatraz, S.S. Jeremiah O'Brian, outdoor food vendors, Crazy Gold Man (variety of characters posing for donations)

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An interesting place to visit but I would never want to live there. However, Napa Valley was  a different story…

 

The gentle rolling hills jeweled with vineyards…ahhhhh

The valley had such a charming presence, from large wineries to quaint, country farms.

My eyes have seen much beauty, God’s own.

Blessings Y’all,

Kathy

Welcome new Followers!

Detour

~~~Detour~~~

There are many things about life I don’t understand but have chosen to accept. Why?

I believe with all my heart that God is in control, always has been, and always will be.

 

Ozarks Autumn

After spending two glorious days in the breathtaking Smoky Mountains we headed toward Florida. On Monday we made it to Macon, GA when we received a phone call. Robert’s son, Corey told us the news.

Smoky Mountains

His grandfather Robert’s ex-father-in-law had unexpectedly passed away.

He had taken his own life.

Photo courtesy of Gary Rushing

So we turned around and made our way to Missouri to offer our support to a grieving family with Corey in the forefront of our thoughts. Yes, when we arrived we found sadness,but also strength, unbelievable strength.

God had surrounded this family with His unexplainable love and comfort. The days following were filled with hugs, tears, storytelling, food and beverages, services, visits from friends, and laughter.

REST IN PEACE

Gary Francis Barnes

March 15,1949-September 6,2010

 

On a lighter note, I visited with some of my co-workers from last year. They are a delightful group of ladies who always bring a smile to my face. Kathy, Rexanna, Margaret, Dawn, Debbie, Shirley, Jeanette,and Diana. It was wonderful seeing them again! thanks for the yumalicious cookies

I MISS Y’ALL!

don’t forget your promises~

 

   Can anyone say, “Shoetree?”

         Captn Dave’s Little  River Artistry

                        Townsend, TN

We’ll resume our travels on Sunday.

           Blessings Y’all,

                Kathy 

Last but not least, WELCOME NEW FOLLOWERS!

It thrills me!

Cades Cove

~~WELCOME TO CADES COVE~~

We were greeted this morning with dense fog and temps in the 40’s. Brrrrrr!  I actually had to put a little sweater on which for me is unbelievable! I’m always warm  After a quick breakfast and two cups of coffee also unbelievable we made our way to Cades Cove, an 11-mile, one-way Loop Road thru “a showcase for some of the most inspiring natural and cultural treasures that the Southern Appalachian Mountains have to offer.” www.SmokiesInformation.org.  Arriving early provided a less crowded road so there was more opportunity to drive slowly, snap a few pictures and really SEE this beautiful place.

One of our first stops was the Primitive Baptist Church, established in 1827. I didn’t meet any of the founding members but if they had been there on this Sunday morn, I bet they would have been sittin’ in these wooden pews, singin’ hymns and shoutin’, “Hallelujah!”

              

                                

             Our next stop-The Visitor Center

                          we got something really special here~

  Yes, some down-home Bluegrass music…

   

  Yes, we watched “Eithel” work the sugar cane into Sorghum~

 

Yes, we visited the Blacksmith and the Grist Mill~

                 

Yes, we saw old cabins and a whiskey barrel trailer~

           

But the best part of the Visitor Center was…

 RECEIVING

OUR

FIRST

PASSPORT

STAMP!

     woohoo!

Continuing along the Loop-Road, Robert took a few snapshots.

 

But his BEST snapshot was of this BIG, BEAUTIFUL…

BLACK BEAR!

He was only about 30 feet from him!

We were thrilled that we actually saw a wild bear!

lions, tigers, and bears…oh my!

~We visited some wood carver shops this afternoon and

rode the bike trail in Townsend all the way to PIZZA HUT!

Hey, we rode all the way back so I’m sure we worked off those calories!

Heading to North Carolina tomorrow.

Blessings Y’all!

Kathy

(Thanks y’all for the comments…remember I LIVE for them!)