May 30

May 30
Up and out by 7:00 on our way to Best Western Sawtooth Inn in Jerome, ID. We stopped at a unique little gas/gift store to get coffee. They had lots of Native American art and crafts. We had a pretty ride out on Rt 20. Lots of farms and rolling hill sides. There are these cool irrigation devices on the farms around this part of the country. They are huge piping systems attached to wheels that lay across the fields.

This ride is so beautiful. I can’t believe how massive and amazing this country is! The Malheur River runs along this route with farms scattered sparingly along the ride. Beautiful sunny day, 61°. Just about 11:00 we entered Idaho. This is a more urban drive, about 2 hours to the motel. We crossed over Snake River along Rt 84 into Jerome.

Before we checked into the hotel we drove to Shoshone Falls to view the magnificent water fall. The power and magnitude is just so amazing. What a view! There was a $3.00 charge but well worth it. Large grassy area and lots of parking. The fall is located on Snake River and falls 212 feet, and is 45 feet higher than Niagara Falls.

We checked into the hotel, did laundry and went to Choate’s Diner for supper. I love these cute local diners that are run by locals.
Went back to hotel and bed😴. (Note on hotel: lots of construction being done which was disrupting. Definitely needs updating but room was nice and clean)

May 29

May 29
Up at 6:30 and out by 7:00 - 44° and sunny. Driving on Rt 20 for 156 miles, long and flat. The High Desert runs east/west and most of the terrain was formed by volcanic ash that settled in ancient lake basins.

We arrived at Crystal Crane Hot Springs in Burns OR around 12:30. Interesting place, out in open and site is basically a gravel parking lot. They do have some better sites on the hill with no utilities which we should have taken if I knew we wouldn’t need the air conditioner. There are also a few Teepees you can rent. They do have a hot spring pool which we did use after we set up. Very nice and water is 101°. We have noticed a very  pretty bird in this part of the country, the Yellow Headed Blackbird, and they have a nest in the reeds behind the hot spring. There is a nice bathhouse and restrooms and a camp kitchen anyone can use. Also a sitting room with coffee, books and TV.

We rode down the road to Crane Store & Cafe for supper. Had a pretty decent salad. We made it back to the campground in time for a thunderstorm. Later on it cleared up but got cold. This was probably the most different campground we’ve stayed in.

May 28

May 28
Memorial Day. We were up, showered and out by 6:45 heading to Farewell Bend Campground in Prospect OR. The scenery along most of our ride through California has been pretty but many of the towns are run down and in need of repair. It’s 8:00 and we are riding along the Pacific coast. We stopped in Trinidad to walk in the ocean. Made it across- ocean to ocean! Drove along Rt 101 and stopped again at the ocean near Crescent City. Nice view and large waves. We got off on Rt 199, Scenic Route along Smith River on Gasquet Redwood Highway. It’s 82° and sunny.

Entered Oregon at noon. The trees are much smaller on this road. Area reminds me of Salisbury Beach in the 60’s without the beach. The roads are pretty good and mountain views are pretty but the homes and vehicles are in poor condition. The area near Rogue State Park got prettier as we got off Scenic Byway Rt 234. We can see Mt. McLaughlin in the distance. We drove by Lost Creek and now about 1/2 hour to campground.
We arrived around 2:30 and the park is absolutely gorgeous. We are deep in the woods adjacent to Rogue River. Everyone left after the holiday so we just about have the campground to ourselves. Bathrooms are decent, not hot water or electric.  We set up and headed over to Crater Lake. It’s about half hour drive but what a pretty drive. There was snow along the road and it’s 68° and sunny. When we arrived at the Crater there were no words to describe the beauty and color of the crater. It was created by a massive volcanic eruption 7,700 years ago. It’s about 6 miles wide and 1,943 feet deep. The incredible blue color is because other colors of the spectrum are absorbed and blue wavelengths are scattered and seen by human eyes. It was amazing to see and experience this.

When we got back to the campground we went down the street to Beckie’s Cafe for dinner and a piece of pie. Back at the campsite we walked down to the river behind our site. Such a lovely area we are in. I love this place and it smells so nice too!

May 27

May 27
Almost 4 weeks into our trip already. We left the campground about 8:00 and it’s 68° and sunny. We’re heading over to Giant Redwoods RV Park in Myers Flat CA. We took Rt 37 around Vallejo and what a pretty drive over San Francisco Bay. It’s 2 feet below sea level. Before we got on Rt 101 we passed beautiful vineyards. I loved the town of Hopland. Lots of vineyards and hills. So pretty!

We took Rt 101 Redwoods Highway to Rt 254 which is The Avenue of the Giants. This road runs parallel to the newer highway 101. It’s about 31 miles long and about halfway into it you come to the amazing Redwoods. This was such a gorgeous ride through these amazing trees.

We got back onto Rt 101 to our campground I was a little surprised with the area this campground is in. It’s a little shabby and run down. Sites are crowded and small bathrooms for such a crowded campground. There is a nice river that runs behind it, Eel River, and the tent sites near it were nice.

 
We walked up the street to a local bar and had a drink. It was like a flash back to the 60’s.

Came back to our site, cooked dinner and listened to the Celtics game. They lost😞. Off to bed...