Reedsport to Florence, Oregon

After our trip to Sutherlin, OR we headed west again towards the coast and Hwy 101.

Below are three pictures of the area we went to just north of the town of Florence where we visited Heceta Head Lighthouse.



As you can see this lighthouse is high on a cliff.

The pictures below are of the Umpqua Lighthouse, which is just South of Reedsport, OR.

On route 38, which is on the way to Hwy 101, we came across Dean Creek Elk Viewing area.

As you can see there were some beautiful elk there. When we arrived the females and their young were in the field also, but they soon left for the shrubs on the back of the meadow to hide out.

See ya down the road !

Our Trip in/around Sutherlin, Oregon

We were in Sutherlin, Oregon staying at Hi-Way Haven RV Park over the 4th of July weekend when we needed our truck worked on (Again)....

We decided since we were there extra days to take a drive to the North Umpqua River and hike to some waterfalls.

The next few pictures below are of areas we stopped at along the way to see the beautiful emerald green and clear waters of the Umpqua River.

Then we came to our hiking spot, the Susan Creek Falls and Indian Mounds.

This was only a fifth foot water fall with pooling at the bottom but it was pretty nice.

It was a beautiful, sunny day and a great day for a hike !

We hiked an extra 1/2 mile, straight up it seemed to the Indian Mounds.

They piled up rocks to summon up the spirits for strength and protection and to give them the ways of wisdom as they enter their adulthood. Only young teenage boys were sent there in search of this wisdom and help guide them to their futures.

See ya down the road !

San Francisco, CA - Part: 3

We were lucky while in San Francisco to stumble across the Hyde Street Pier where the National Park system has been preserving some of the most historic vessels. To top it off it was free for us as we have a National Park Pass !




One ship we went on was the USS Pampanito, as it happens this is the only one that was not free, so we paid the small admission to tour this WWII sub. If you can take small spaces, then this is for you.

This tug boat was named the Hercules, it was built in 1907 in Camden, New Jersey and is 139 feet in length.

This ship is named the Balclutha. She has had other names when used for different purposes. Once she was used to haul supplies and lumber to/from Alaska. Eventually she was returned to her intial purpose and appearance.

Built in Glascow, Scotland in 1886 she is an impressive 256 feet long.

The picture below is where the captain and his wife had their dinners and entertained guests. He lived pretty high on the hog while the men below were almost treated like slaves.

Also at Hyde Street Pier was the beautiful ship named the Eureka. This is a side-wheel ferry

which was built in 1890 in Tiburon, California. She ferried passengers as well as automobiles and trucks and supplies.

See ya down the road !!

San Francisco, CA - Part: 2

We continue our trip in San Francisco with a visit to Fisherman's Wharf at Pier 39.

It did not disappoint and neither did the weather. Crowds of people everywhere to boot.




We were looking for a place to get some seafood (what else?) when we spotted this cute diner.

We ended up not eating here but thought their order window was pretty unique!

The sea lions were abundant and we enjoyed watching them scramble for position. Some were very boistrous. This little one on top doesn't seem to care - he just wants some shut eye.

The seagulls had each others back as you can see.........never know what's lurking!

We took a little side trip next to the pier to the Aquarium on the Bay. It was very interesting. Lots of 'hands on' stuff to do. And they had small areas where you can touch things and even gave talks on different subjects. Very interesting for all the kids that we saw participating.

The picture below is NOT a ghost. Just a ray that popped up suddenly and I snapped a photo. When you first enter there is a 350 foot glass tube that you walk through with fish, star fish, and sharks - it was pretty and very interesting.

In one area where the star fish were, you could actually reach in the tank and touch them. Aren't the colors great? I couldn't believe all the different colored starfish, who knew???

After we had lunch we continued to walk around. There are quite a few sailboats, tug boats and vessels for hire to take you out in the bay to fish. We had a great time!

See ya down the road !

San Francisco, CA - Part: 1

To visit San Francisco we decided to stay at the San Francisco RV Resort in Pacifica, CA. It was right on the cliffs above the ocean as you can see from the pictures below.



The cliffs were a beautiful sight. Daily we could see dolphins swimming and fishing in the ocean below us. Most of the time it was pretty dreary with lots of fog and drizzle until mid afternoon.

The Golden Gate Bridge in the picture below was also under fog while we were there. It was difficult to see but massive to see none the less. This suspension bridge was completed in 1937.
It is internationally recognized as a symbol of San Francisco.

From Pier 39 at Fisherman's Wharf you could see Alcatraz Island. It is 1.5 miles off shore of San Francisco. Commonly referred to as "The Rock", it housed prisoners until 1963.

In 1976 it was declared a National Landmark. Unfortunately we were unable to obtain tickets to tour Alcatraz during the three days we were there.

We saw some absolutely beautiful buildings while in town. We don't see architecture like this in South Florida.

It would not be San Francisco if we did not see and ride the infamous cable cars. We took them several times to get us back to either the BART (their connecting rail system) or the MUNI (which would be their buses). We utilized all three while we were in town. Never drove our vehicle in.

We also visited the cable car museum while we were there. This was free and very informatiive. They show a film all about the cable cars from their inception, to the near demise of them after the big earthquake of 1908 and then the politicians tried to put a stop to them in the 1940's but they were brought back for all to use. Thank goodness!

See ya down the road !

Yosemite National Park, California

Our journey continues north into Yosemite National Park. We stay in the town of Mariposa as we could not get inside Yosemite with our camper. It was well worth the 50 minute drive daily to see this magnificent park.


The raging waters in the river from the snowmelts was moving very quickly. We did not dare put out toes in that cold, swift waters for fear of being dragged down stream - not to mention the hypothermia. It was really, really cold.

As you drive into the park you can see the magnificance of these huge granite mountains. Our truck is parked to the lower right of the photo above.

There were quite a few waterfalls this time of year. We were there mid-June and even the rangers said they had waterfalls they had not seen before due to so much snow this past winter.

Our hikes took us to some beautiful spots within the park. Some areas were closed off due to rock slides, but those that were open made the trek worthwhile.

The High Sierra is beautiful country. From the granite cliffs, to the waterfalls, to the mirror lakes it is so inspiring to see our beautiful country. I wish everyone could see what we have seen! The weather completely cooperated with us.

The visitors center offers a film about the park. There is an Ansel Adams gallery and outfitters store for those inclined to hike. There are several restaurants.

And please take the shuttle buses, as they are much easier on you and the patrons of the park.
It was crowded, as we were there on a weekend, but the shuttle buses make it a snap to get around. You can even ride your bikes to almost everything if you wish - but be wary of the traffic as there were lots of cars on every roadway.

See ya down the road!

Sierra Endangered Cat Haven, Dunlap, CA

While at Kings Canyon, we traveled Route 180, which is your way into the park. We saw the signs for this sanctuary, which is attempting to save these cats. Below is a Jaguar.




This is a black leopard. A lot of these cats came to the sanctuary by way of the circus, or their television careers did not work out.

Also some of the cats come to the haven because they were bought to be pets. Cute when they were a few pounds, then they grew up and had to find new homes.

I can't remember what type of cat this is, but do remember it is related to the bob-cat species.

This cat is called a Serval. She was very timid, hiding in the grasses, yet so beautiful to see.

This, of course, is a female lion (lioness) she was beautiful and loved to play with a large ball they had in the enclosure.

This beautiful animal is called a Barbary Lion. He is the last of his kind. He was hunted to extinction and when he dies he is the last, literally, of his breed. There are probably thirty in the world but cannot be bred because they are all related. Breeding can only take place if there are at least four generations inbetween. Sadly there are not and when he leaves us it is forever.

We really enjoyed our visit here and if ever in the area stop in and take a tour. It takes a lot of money to take care of these beautiful cats.

See ya down the road !