There has been some grumbling in the car today about my characterization of some of our travels and some of what has been said! Oh, who can dare think such a thing? Of course, also heard today was "Steve is a wonderful traveling companion." :)
Also heard (from Michael), "I need to take a picture of your ass."
Because this will be "the photo" on the mobile version (my publisher insists I start considering such things), I go to today's money shot before the narrative begins (this is the shot standing just outside our hotel room tonight in Shelter Cove, CA):
The title comes from this series of unfortunate events: Michael and I were lamenting the stay at the B&B last night (name withheld to protect the innocent); then we all about stroked out as Michael went to change lanes on the four-lane highway and this massive horn blew! Turned out to be a train on the track running next to the road, but we thought we were all dead. Insert appropriate underwear joke.
Who can remember all the other to and fro's between us, but the backseat (who may remind you of Waldorf & Statler from The Muppets) decided we are BOTH curmudgeons. Anyone who knows us will NOT recognize that description.
Then I was driving and an Oregon state trooper pulled out behind me and hit his siren. He blew right by but we all had that moment.
Then, we decided just across the Klamath River bridge in Redwood National Forest to take "the Coastal Trail." Turned out to be one-lane, all gravel, and, as this picture shows, a bit tight to a big falloff into the ocean.
Michael was rapturous over the Oregon coastline. Every mile he said "isn't that beautiful?" I'm sure at some point it became purely rhetorical. But, if you've never seen it, it is awesome. The high cliffs, the beautiful water, in aquamarines, blues, greens, and the waves, and, of course, the rock formations out in the water. You can see lots of pictures showing this, one as spectacular as the last.
Of course, I had to get in the water. A wave jumped up and got me wet to the waist, leading to Michael's earlier line about photographing my ass. Here's the shot, just so everyone can see it. (and, yes, oh, yes, the water was FAR colder than at 4,000 feet at Trillium Lake yesterday. It was half an hour before I could feel my ankles and feet again -- this was almost Oregon Northern California!!!)
We finally got to the actual huge redwoods. It was a gorgeous day -- mid 60s and sunny -- so the woods weren't too cold. You can see all the shots. There is, of course, the touristy shot of driving the car through the middle of a tree.
Food? One complaint was about the morning breakfast frittata -- it was Southwest. Too many olives for Karen, too much breakfast for Michael, and I wasn't sure what a frittata was.
And, for those of you who are "Barb fans" (double entrende), I will give you multiple "hits" today:
- When I pointed out that we all needed to continue to get along because I didn't want to change sleeping partners, Barb quickly pointed out that if she were to be mad at Michael "what makes you think I'd sleep with you? I'd rather have Karen." My only response was "that's exactly what I'm trying to avoid."
- In a discussion about last night's accommodations, a B&B, and tonight's, an inn run by a family, I wondered the real difference between a B&B & an inn, Barb shot "An inn you don't get breakfast." Rim shot.
- As we passed a group of goats, we wondered what sound they made and she made a perfect goat bleet. When I said so, she responded, "Just kidding." (the pun of the day)
- At certain times, Barb reminds us all that my nickname earned on this trip is Chief Fast-as-Turtle. I think Ken's irony sign might be important here.
Tomorrow we drive into the Sonoma Valley, then to the Napa Valley, with multiple wine stops on the way. Good morrow, faithful readers.
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