Back Home from Memory Lane

After 5 days of auto-traveling to and from northern California, it was nice to be home in our little abode. Today it's do-all-the-laundry-day, and catch up on the e-mails, Ravelry and my blog (not necessarily in that order). We had a wonderful trip visiting family in southern Oregon (where I spent quite a few of my growing up years), traveling south from there to Redding, California. The temperature those first few days was in the 100's and we decided to head for the Coast. We crossed the mountains to Eureka, CA where I was born and drove over to Samoa where I lived for the first 12 years of my life. I really wanted to take a picture of the house i lived in and it's relationship to the ocean. Samoa is on a peninsula and we were the last house before the beach. Well............they say you should never go back and they're right. The house was so rundown - trash everywhere all around the yard, broken glass, etc. it was very hard to look at. So, no pictures were taken of the house. We had lunch at the Samoa Cookhouse where many years ago my Dad ate meals at when he was still a bachelor and worked at Hammond Lumber Company. From there we decided to follow Highway 101 up the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington on our way home. The weather was sunny the entire way, and quite warm for the coast. We took several quick jaunts down to the beach along the way and enjoyed the views and the nice temps (probably in the 70's).

While we were looking out at the rocks trying to see any seals, this friendly little squirrel came within arm's reach and was eating berries from the salal bushes in front of us. He watched us warily, but kept right on eating and didn't run away when we moved around!

We had not made any motel reservations along the way, and come Saturday night, we couldn't find a place to lay our head anywhere along the Coast. Should have known better - with the sunshine and warm weather, everyone went there for the weekend, so we ended up driving from Coos Bay to Astoria then east to I-5 and home all in one day. That was one loooonnnngg day - left around 9am and got home at 10:30pm! Course we stopped a few places along the way. All in all, it was a wonderful trip and nice to get away for a while.

Trip Down Memory Lane..

Hubby and I are leaving tomorrow morning for a trip down Memory Lane (my side of the family's roots, etc.). After visiting my bro in Medford, Oregon area, we're heading down into northern California in the Gold Rush location north of Sacramento where so many families came west looking for the yellow stuff. From there we'll head to the coast and drive north through upper California, Oregon and most of Washington on Highway 101. Will be be back with pictures next week. See ya!

Need Some Brightening Up? I do!

Here's a link from another website, and thought it was so fitting in a lot of ways. Be prepared for big smiles on your part (and a little dancing around in your chair)!

"Bring Me Sunshine"

Days at the Beach

View from our room. Sorry for the blur.
We were gone Monday and Tuesday of this week to Ocean Shores, Washington. We left town with another couple because the streets in our Park were going to be receiving a seal coat and we wouldn't be able to get out. However, rain sprinkles postponed the sealing job. We had a great time, good meals, sunny weather in the high 60's, and no wind. Took along my knitting but never had time to pick it up. Our friend's van got stuck in the sand on the beach, and it was amazing the number of Good Samaritans who showed up to help us out. Eventually a jeep with a winch pulled us it. Our hotel rooms included a small balcony, french doors out to it, and a couch, table and chairs. We played Pegs and Joker last night until late, late.

Headed home around mid-day and got lost several times as we were checking out new ways to come back - but all-in-all we had a great time.

I've Been A'Knittin

Finished the first mitt started a couple of months ago - YAY! This pattern is Susie's Reading Mitts

We're leaving for the Coast Monday morning and coming back Tuesday night - so lots of time to work on the 2nd Mitt, as well as some other projects I'm taking along in the van. We're going with another couple and I'm not doing any driving - so lots of knit and talk. Really looking forward to getting away, and will be back in touch with you next week.

TURTLE - Yet Unamed - ETA: He/She's "Rocky"!

Look what my neighbor gave me as a "thank you" for the things we do for her!!! Isn't he cute. The body, feet, tail and head are all separate flat rocks which are painted these delightful colors. I've put it out in my flower bed and he looks happy. Have to come up with a name for him. Any suggestions?

Great Day Today!!!

Have you ever had days where everything good just seemed to fall in place the whole day? Well, today was the day for me. First, hubby went out on his regular golfing day, leaving me the car to "play around" all day. I did laundry (not necessarily great, but nice to get it out of the way). Grocery shopped then got to some serious knitting on my socks. I'm liking the magic loop so much better than the dpn's and just flew along. It's after dinner and I'm working on foot portion now.