Hit the road after work last Thursday and headed towards Bend, OR. Stopped in Bishop, CA for the night at a beautiful hotel. It was more of a lodge, with a creek running through the property and outdoor fire pits and seating areas along the water. Got a good night’s sleep and hit the road early, but not TOO early because we wanted to stop at the Shatz Bakery (and by “we”, I mean “I” haha). Loaded up on pastries and bread and then got on the road. Made it to Bend in time for the family BBQ, which was great - so nice to be with friends who we consider family. They’re all truck people and have some beautiful rigs. Even got to take a ride in a Peterbilt which was super fun! Eventually checked into our hotel, which ALSO looked like a beautiful lodge…. On the outside. On the INSIDE, it was 1982, complete with mauve lamps and 40 year old seafoam green carpet. The bed, however, was super comfy and I slept really well, so no complaints!
Sunday we headed up to Seaside, OR to meet up with my parents and aunt to spend a few days and celebrate the 4th of July. Had a gorgeous beachfront condo which was nice because the fireworks on the beach went on for 2+ days! And on the fourth it was CRAZY…. Fun place to be but glad to have a balcony to watch the festivities from. The guy walking back and forth on the boardwalk with a giant US flag was awesome! Such a fun place to be for the fourth. Even got to golf with my mom and dad at Gearhart GC which is the oldest course west of the Mississippi - established in 1892. Fun times….
On the 5th Beau and I hopped in the truck and headed south. No plans, just an atlas! We actually went north for a short drive up to Astoria to see the Goonies house. Then, we drove down the coast of OR and stopped wherever we wanted - so great to not have a plan! Visited Bandon Dunes Golf Resort but didn’t play because they were booked solid (and maybe also because it’s like $600+ a person to play there). We did have a great lunch there though with a great view of the course. Continued down the coast stopping often to take in the beautiful vistas.
Eventually we crossed back into California and the high gas prices and state sales tax. Decided to go through the redwoods and do the Skunk Train. Great 2 hour trip through the tall trees! Continued the trend of tall trees and drove to Sequoia and Kings National Parks. Spent the better part of the day there. We took a short hike down to the General Sherman tree, which is the biggest tree in the world. And on our way down, we ran into a friend of mine from work! She was there on vacation with her family. Small world!! After leaving the park and driving down what is surely the windiest road in CA, we had some dinner in Visalia and then decided to head home. Figured the traffic would be better Saturday afternoon/evening than it would be on Sunday and we were right - smoothest ride over the Grapevine ever!
So now we’re home with over 2,600 miles under our belt, all driven by my hubby! So thankful for him and that he loves to drive. And, the best part is he’s not afraid to make u-turns! Which is awesome because some of our best memories are made after the u-turn…. ❤️
