Sunday was spent chilling out in Gold Beach - mostly in the Condo with a brief trip into the town to investigate and get some cash out and supplies. Had a lie in and woke up eventually at midday (I think I was tired) and managed to finish my laundry (I know, the high life is my natural habitat) and did my walk and managed to watch a lot of Harry Potter (abc Family channel had a HP films marathon). Followed this all off with a reasonably early (ish) night ready for the long drive on Monday.
Geek mention: there was a market in Gold Beach called McKay's Market for all the Stargate Atlantis fans (esp Kirsty) - photo taken.
Today (Monday) saw us leaving Gold Beach, OR and heading down the 101 to Clearlake, CA via Eureka and Fort Bragg (sadly, no hunky Marines spotted in Fort Bragg).
Ange drove to Eureka, where we stopped for lunch in a cute Mexican themed bagel store (Eureka may be a large town but the 'interesting' part covers about 10 blocks!).
I then had the drive from Eureka to Fort Bragg and then on to Clearlake. We had some very curvy and steep roads on route 1. Like the Welsh hills on steroids. As steep and windy as they were, they were going through some fantastic scenery, huge redwoods and beautiful Pacific views.
In Fort Bragg there was a shop called "Bragadoon" which made me smile!
Made it to Clearlake around 5/7ish and headed out for dinner after we had checked into the hotel. Found a decent little place called the Corkman's Clipper where the food was decent, the music 'ok' (although they had murdered a few tunes at least it had some attempt at Irish ambience); but the waitress was not the best - clearing my plate before Ange had finished and offering us the pudding menu before Ange had finished (and also not offering it again later, not that we were intending to have one). But, other than that it did the job. I had sausage and mash with veg and gravy... tasty.
After dinner we headed out onto a jetty to watch the sunset - very beautiful - and headed back to the hotel.
It's been a long day so I'm going to head sign off shortly for an early night.
Managed to pick up my US mobile phone today so if you want to have the number, email me or comment on here.
Photos of the last few days
Hope you're all safe and well.
Especially love to Jacky - sorry I can't be there. We will be in Napa tomorrow so I plan to raise a glass of local vino, have a cheese platter for dinner, have a pudding with lashings of squirty cream and finish it all off with either a port or a single malt to celebrate the good times.
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Sunday, 12 July 2009
11th July - Salem, OR to Gold Beach, OR
Slightly later start today - which was good as I didn't wake up until after 9!
Headed out from the hotel onto the I5 south for a short spell before coming off onto US Highways 20 and then 101.
We stopped for some lunch just after joining the 101 in a little town (either Forfar or Seal Rock, not sure!), had a lovely Clam Chowder.
The weather wasn't good enough to have the top down which was a shame but it was still a beautiful drive, the clouds hugging the hills and the pacific rolling in on our left. Had a few chances to give the 'Stang her head but not too many.
Got to Gold Beach around 4 and had a minor panic when they said that Expedia had double booked us (!!!!) but fortunately they had a condo available which we've got for the same price as a room. We have a king bedroom up stairs and a sofa bed downstairs with a full kitchen, two full bathrooms and a washing machine! Bonus as I was planning to do some washing whilst here!
Once we'd settled in to the condo we headed out for a walk on the beach, then stopped in to the Panther Pride Pizza restaurant which has memorabilia from the local High School Football team (three time devision championship winners, so not too shabby) and then we went to look round the County Fair which was going on - fantastic; rides and games but also had a horse section (obviously have some western riding classes during the day) so I got some horse time to keep me sane until I get home to see Belle and Archie, and some monster trucks!! A good evening. Then headed back to the hotel and have been chilling out and updating the blog. I'm currently very excited by the prospect of watching the new season premier of Leverage on Wednesday!!!
Geek/notable sightings on today's route: -
we have been traveling on Highway 101 - the Pacific Coast Scenic route (not quite the PCH for the VM fans)
on the I5 we passed 'Enchanted Way' (for Ryan)
We passed through Neptune
We drove over Bob Creek
We're in Gold Beach for two nights so have a day of chilling tomorrow.
Headed out from the hotel onto the I5 south for a short spell before coming off onto US Highways 20 and then 101.
We stopped for some lunch just after joining the 101 in a little town (either Forfar or Seal Rock, not sure!), had a lovely Clam Chowder.
The weather wasn't good enough to have the top down which was a shame but it was still a beautiful drive, the clouds hugging the hills and the pacific rolling in on our left. Had a few chances to give the 'Stang her head but not too many.
Got to Gold Beach around 4 and had a minor panic when they said that Expedia had double booked us (!!!!) but fortunately they had a condo available which we've got for the same price as a room. We have a king bedroom up stairs and a sofa bed downstairs with a full kitchen, two full bathrooms and a washing machine! Bonus as I was planning to do some washing whilst here!
Once we'd settled in to the condo we headed out for a walk on the beach, then stopped in to the Panther Pride Pizza restaurant which has memorabilia from the local High School Football team (three time devision championship winners, so not too shabby) and then we went to look round the County Fair which was going on - fantastic; rides and games but also had a horse section (obviously have some western riding classes during the day) so I got some horse time to keep me sane until I get home to see Belle and Archie, and some monster trucks!! A good evening. Then headed back to the hotel and have been chilling out and updating the blog. I'm currently very excited by the prospect of watching the new season premier of Leverage on Wednesday!!!
Geek/notable sightings on today's route: -
we have been traveling on Highway 101 - the Pacific Coast Scenic route (not quite the PCH for the VM fans)
on the I5 we passed 'Enchanted Way' (for Ryan)
We passed through Neptune
We drove over Bob Creek
We're in Gold Beach for two nights so have a day of chilling tomorrow.
10th July - Kalaloach, WA to Salem, OR
Kalaloch is beautiful. lovely apartments and beautiful surroundings. I'd love to go back there (although I'm saying that about everywhere we've been so far!).
Another early start from Kalaloch as we back-tracked to go to La Push, home of the Quilalute Reservation and lodges (where we would have been staying if the resort took single night bookings during July. Have to say I'm glad we weren't staying there - it was a bit drear and run down, although it did have a fantastic sign at the 'treaty-line' (you'll see it in the photos and it will make sense after I tell you about Forks.
We then drove back through Forks 'Home of Twilight' as they filmed a lot of the film around Forks and La Push. Nearly every store had some reference to Twilight in either their name or sign - I have photos of some of them. We also passed one building called Almar Building so i had to take a photo for Almar!
We stopped for breakfast in Forks, a decent little diner with very good service. I had french toast with sausage and an egg: served with a scoop of whipped butter - overkill so I tried to avoid it. Other than that, it was very nice.
After Forks we were back on the road, back past Kalaloch and then down the 101 and finally out towards Portland and ultimately to Salem.
It was a beautiful drive down the 101 - really rather chilly until the fog cleared and then it was beautiful views of the Pacific and the Olympic National Forest. Spotted a lot of eagles - wish I'd brought my binoculars and had done some revision on identifying the species we'd be likely to see. I've become such a bad ornithologist!
The weather, after the fog, was fantastic and we had the top down. I managed to get a bit pink on my shoulders but after a long cold shower and lots of moisturiser they were much calmer!
Once we'd checked into the hotel we headed out for dinner and found a fantastic diner with lots of '50s memorabilia, and the most amazing sign (see photos!). Then it was a night to chill out in the hotel and have a relatively early night.
Photos
Another early start from Kalaloch as we back-tracked to go to La Push, home of the Quilalute Reservation and lodges (where we would have been staying if the resort took single night bookings during July. Have to say I'm glad we weren't staying there - it was a bit drear and run down, although it did have a fantastic sign at the 'treaty-line' (you'll see it in the photos and it will make sense after I tell you about Forks.
We then drove back through Forks 'Home of Twilight' as they filmed a lot of the film around Forks and La Push. Nearly every store had some reference to Twilight in either their name or sign - I have photos of some of them. We also passed one building called Almar Building so i had to take a photo for Almar!
We stopped for breakfast in Forks, a decent little diner with very good service. I had french toast with sausage and an egg: served with a scoop of whipped butter - overkill so I tried to avoid it. Other than that, it was very nice.
After Forks we were back on the road, back past Kalaloch and then down the 101 and finally out towards Portland and ultimately to Salem.
It was a beautiful drive down the 101 - really rather chilly until the fog cleared and then it was beautiful views of the Pacific and the Olympic National Forest. Spotted a lot of eagles - wish I'd brought my binoculars and had done some revision on identifying the species we'd be likely to see. I've become such a bad ornithologist!
The weather, after the fog, was fantastic and we had the top down. I managed to get a bit pink on my shoulders but after a long cold shower and lots of moisturiser they were much calmer!
Once we'd checked into the hotel we headed out for dinner and found a fantastic diner with lots of '50s memorabilia, and the most amazing sign (see photos!). Then it was a night to chill out in the hotel and have a relatively early night.
Photos
Saturday, 11 July 2009
9th July - Vancouver, BC to Forks, WA
Early start! Breakfast in the hotel restaurant of Blueberry buttermilk pancakes (with maple syrup and berries) - yum!
Headed out in the Mustang to the ferry terminal which would take us through the Gulf Islands to Victoria. Beautiful sights. A little chilly but fun.
Once we disembarked in Sidney it was a short drive down to Victoria and another ferry to Port Augusta. We parked in the ferry port, got our tickets and grabbed a hot-dog for lunch (minor mishap in mistaking the hot sauce for Ketchup - Angela was worst hit) and then waited in the car (top down) to be checked by border control and board the ferry. We managed to confuse one woman who asked where we were from (seeing our California plates) to which we replied 'the UK'; queue puzzled look on her face until we explained!
We also got chatting to another woman, and her husband, (who have friends in Bristol funnily enough) who happen to be bona-fide Hanna Barbera family. A serendipitous geek score for our trip!
We were followed out of Port Friday by two sea-planes and watched them take off behind us. One of them flew straight over the ferry so I got some fab photos.
The trip continued through Olympic National Forest and Park skirting the edge of Crescent Lake (H U G E) and on to Forks and Kalaloch to our stop for the night at Kalaloch Lodge: Beautiful situation right on the Pacific coast looking down onto an accessible beach (took a walk down to the beach after dinner - sand between my toes, yay!) with a series of lodges looking out to sea and a small block of rooms, where we stayed). Got some lovely photos of the beach at sunset.
Photos - not all have uploaded but it gives the general idea
Headed out in the Mustang to the ferry terminal which would take us through the Gulf Islands to Victoria. Beautiful sights. A little chilly but fun.
Once we disembarked in Sidney it was a short drive down to Victoria and another ferry to Port Augusta. We parked in the ferry port, got our tickets and grabbed a hot-dog for lunch (minor mishap in mistaking the hot sauce for Ketchup - Angela was worst hit) and then waited in the car (top down) to be checked by border control and board the ferry. We managed to confuse one woman who asked where we were from (seeing our California plates) to which we replied 'the UK'; queue puzzled look on her face until we explained!
We also got chatting to another woman, and her husband, (who have friends in Bristol funnily enough) who happen to be bona-fide Hanna Barbera family. A serendipitous geek score for our trip!
We were followed out of Port Friday by two sea-planes and watched them take off behind us. One of them flew straight over the ferry so I got some fab photos.
The trip continued through Olympic National Forest and Park skirting the edge of Crescent Lake (H U G E) and on to Forks and Kalaloch to our stop for the night at Kalaloch Lodge: Beautiful situation right on the Pacific coast looking down onto an accessible beach (took a walk down to the beach after dinner - sand between my toes, yay!) with a series of lodges looking out to sea and a small block of rooms, where we stayed). Got some lovely photos of the beach at sunset.
Photos - not all have uploaded but it gives the general idea
8th July - Vancouver
Forgot to mention one thing from yesterday.... Walked past Leah Cairns on the way back to the hotel. Or so Angela tells me, I was more concerned with keeping my legs moving so I missed her.
Wednesday was a day for exploring the city. We had a lazy morning after yesterday's excursions and headed out for lunch at the Irish Heather in the Gastown district (very nice, had the 'Heather Pot Pie' aka Steak & Guinness pie). After that we wandered through the rest of Gastown, down to Chinatown, out to Yaletown (not much there) and back to downtown.
I managed to pick up a charger for my camera battery - a bit extravagant but it's a universal charger that also has a car charger so will last longer than the holiday!
When we got back to the hotel I headed down to the pool and had a session in the steam room (very, very hot and steamy). Had a lovely swim until annoying children arrived.
After my swim we headed out for a drink and ended up in a bar called Lennons (I think) and nursed one drink each whilst people watching before heading back to the hotel for an early night (delayed by the turning on of the TV) as we had an early start to head out to Forks the next morning.
Wednesday was a day for exploring the city. We had a lazy morning after yesterday's excursions and headed out for lunch at the Irish Heather in the Gastown district (very nice, had the 'Heather Pot Pie' aka Steak & Guinness pie). After that we wandered through the rest of Gastown, down to Chinatown, out to Yaletown (not much there) and back to downtown.
I managed to pick up a charger for my camera battery - a bit extravagant but it's a universal charger that also has a car charger so will last longer than the holiday!
When we got back to the hotel I headed down to the pool and had a session in the steam room (very, very hot and steamy). Had a lovely swim until annoying children arrived.
After my swim we headed out for a drink and ended up in a bar called Lennons (I think) and nursed one drink each whilst people watching before heading back to the hotel for an early night (delayed by the turning on of the TV) as we had an early start to head out to Forks the next morning.
Wednesday, 8 July 2009
6th & 7th July - Vancouver
After some chilling out in the hotel we ventured out to the Gotham Steakhouse for dinner. After the initial feeling that we should have looked at the website, and the menu (prices) before we came out, we then did the exchange calculations and realised that it wasn't so bad after all. Not cheap but not as expensive on the £ as we first thought.
Steak Heaven
Seriously, if you ever visit Vancouver, go to Gotham Steakhouse. The steak is the best that I have ever tasted. The service was excellent (thanks to Colby our waiter for the evening) and the decor was beautiful - high ceilings, luxurious textures throughout the fixtures and fittings and subdued lighting.
We walked back to the hotel and collapsed into steak induced comas!
This morning we set out to investigate Stanley Park, via somewhere for me to pick up a rain coat as I'd forgotten to pack mine. Although a soggy day, the worst of the rain held off until we were safely in the Aquarium.
Stanley Park is beautiful - wonderfully tranquil. It's hard to put it into words but walking through the trees I could feel my brain sliding into neutral. We are 4-days into our holiday (or 3 if you don't count the 24-hours of traveling) and I'm already feeling rested and relaxed and ready to enjoy the rest.
We got back to the hotel by about 5ish and have been chilling out relaxing and watching TV, allowing our legs and feet to recover from all the walking. I'm now debating whether to go for a relaxing session in the hotel steam room and a brief swim before bed. I'll let you know if I make it in my next update!
Tomorrow is a day of investigating the city with lunch planned at Heather's Irish Pub. Thursday we head out for one of our longest drives from Vancouver, BC to Forks, WA via Victoria BC and the Olympic National Park.
Steak Heaven
Seriously, if you ever visit Vancouver, go to Gotham Steakhouse. The steak is the best that I have ever tasted. The service was excellent (thanks to Colby our waiter for the evening) and the decor was beautiful - high ceilings, luxurious textures throughout the fixtures and fittings and subdued lighting.
We walked back to the hotel and collapsed into steak induced comas!
This morning we set out to investigate Stanley Park, via somewhere for me to pick up a rain coat as I'd forgotten to pack mine. Although a soggy day, the worst of the rain held off until we were safely in the Aquarium.
Stanley Park is beautiful - wonderfully tranquil. It's hard to put it into words but walking through the trees I could feel my brain sliding into neutral. We are 4-days into our holiday (or 3 if you don't count the 24-hours of traveling) and I'm already feeling rested and relaxed and ready to enjoy the rest.
We got back to the hotel by about 5ish and have been chilling out relaxing and watching TV, allowing our legs and feet to recover from all the walking. I'm now debating whether to go for a relaxing session in the hotel steam room and a brief swim before bed. I'll let you know if I make it in my next update!
Tomorrow is a day of investigating the city with lunch planned at Heather's Irish Pub. Thursday we head out for one of our longest drives from Vancouver, BC to Forks, WA via Victoria BC and the Olympic National Park.
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