California, Nevada * Day Twenty 09-07-08

We drove through the area where gold was discovered in California and The Gold Rush began. This is rough country with mountains and steep winding roads. The Gold Rush people didn't have it this good.

Lake Tahoe is in California and Nevada.

I didn't know Mama Bev had a lodge here.

Nevada is another state that I had never been in before.

From the looks of all the bullet holes I wonder if they really do welcome people here.

The Silver State ranks 7th in land area and 35th in population. Las Vegas is the largest city and Carson City is the capital.

This is my favorite license plate.

A beautiful sunset to finish a beautiful day.

After driving 474 miles we stopped at the Clown Motel in Tonopah, Nevada.

Don't laugh! It was the least expensive, but one of the best that we have stayed in. It was newly redecorated and there were different clowns on every outside door. I recommend it.

I had fun meeting all the clowns.

Can you find me?

This is a fun place to stay.

Redwood Forrest * Day Nineteen 09-06-08

Today we headed south on 101 highway through the Redwood National Forest.



We watched the surfers in the ocean.


I waved at 50' Paul Bunyan and his 35' Babe the Blue Ox as we drove by. They live at Klamath. The 8/10th mile groomed interpretive rail takes you through the redwoods and allows you to learn the legend of Paul Bunyan.

I was told there are some really big trees here. World's tallest living tree ---monarch of the North Coast---living link to the Age of Dinosaurs. A redwood grows from a seed the size of a tomato seed, yet it may weigh 500 tons and stand taller than the Statue of Liberty. They may live over 2,000 years.

They are right. This one is soooooo big and I feel sooooo small. Can you find me?

There are lots of ferns in this forest.

Can you find me?

Our van looks so small next to these tall trees.

I met another bear friend.

My ranger girlfriend.

My first time to drive through a tree.

I helped Mama Bev drive through the tree.

This tree is 2400 years old. That is older than Papa Ken and Mama Bev combined.

The measurements on the tree opening.

We drove 323 miles to Williams in the Sacramento Valley and spent the night in a Motel 6. How about this BRIGHT bedspread that is 'screaming' Motel 6. It is so 'loud' that it might keep me awake tonight.

Oregon, California * Day Eighteen 09-05-08

This morning we headed south on I-5 to California.

We found these delicious blackberries along the fence at a highway rest stop. Many people were picking them to eat. They are so delicious.

The Golden State ranks 3rd in land area and 1st in population. Los Angeles is the largest city and Sacramento is the capital.

State flag.

California license.

In Oregon we drove on the I-5 to Grants Pass and headed southwest through the Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park.

I am so excited because this is the first time I have seen an ocean. See the light house in the background?

The Crescent Lighthouse Museum is a visitor attraction that has served for more than a century to warn mariners of the rocky shoreline. The Cape Cod style lighthouse is located on a tiny islet that is connected to Battery Point by an isthmus at low tide.

Watch out Mambev, the tide is coming in.

We drove to Crescent, California which is on the famous 101 highway.

After riding in the van for 374 miles I am ready for my big bed.