Summer Vacation part 1

 Our summer vacation planes involved a lot of driving. 

We drove over 6000 KMs. We drove from Magrath to Anaheim California. We drove to Spokane and made a quick stop at Gonzaga. We continued on and stayed in Kenniwick Wa. Mom was starting to get a head cold and needed to get as much rest as possible, so me and the kids found a school park and played for a bit then got Taco Bell. 

The next day we drove to Portland Oregon. We followed the mighty Columbian River. A massive body of water that stretches to the ocean. There were shipping ports along the River along with 3 hydro dams. It was impressive. 

In Portland we hit up the witches mansion on a beautiful hike. The siccamores in the middle of a large city were impressive. 

Before leaving Portland, we stopped at this huge massive book store down town. It was gigantic.  Several floors thousands of books. 

We also hit the beautiful Temple. The kids say that it is one of the most beautiful.  

After the temple we went back into town to grab a bite at a special restaurant. When we got there they were closed. So we found a pizza joint next to an ice cream shop. Not bad. 

Our next stop was Crescent City. Unfortunately the fires had closed the road so we detoured to the ocean. 

We pulled into the town at night and the town was pitch dark.  It was eerie checking into our hotel in the dark. But we were spent. So we unloaded and crashed hard. Power came on at 6am.  That morning the news story was about Hurricane Hillary scheduled to hit San Diego in the next few days. 

After breakfast we went to the ocean and saw the sea lions barking on their perches. Also went to the old light house and on the way up discovered that the rocks in low tide houses all kids of sea creatures. Clams, crabs and star fish. Every rock moved found something. 

We then attempted to hit up the trees of mystery. Unfortunately they too were closed due to the fires. Missed it by one day. 

Our trip continued to Acadia town square but that was short lived as the people and the feeling did not have good vibes so we hit the Clam Beach for a few hours. And try our luck with the skim board. 

We spent that night in Eureka and played in this amazing park but sadly moms ear was in horrible pain and we had to get her some rest in hopes that she might get some relief. 

Monday we drove to ferndale to see the cute town where movies are made. No cookie cutter houses here. Colorful unique homes and business. 

The next stop was the very first missionary pad and then on to the redwoods. The avenue of the giants and the drive through tree. 

Our trip led us to ukiah to spend the night, and dad picked a dive to sleep in. 

Motel 6 reviews indicate that it’s not the safest place to stay, and recommendations to continue on. Well mom was needing a rest so we stayed. Wade must have ate the largest burrito of all time in an authentic Mexican joint. Dad took the kids out to another wicked park with a spaceship slide it was cool. 

The next day one of Wade’s bucks list items came true. He got to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge.  

It’s quite a creation. We also stopped at a cool park, the painted ladies, Mrs Doubtfires house and Pier 39. There we saw more sea lions barking and even named a few of them. 

We stopped at the Oakland Temple and headed to Fairfield to see one of Dads dear friend from his mission the Clagg family. And of course had to make some lemonade. 

The last thing we did before heading south to Disney land was hit up the jelly belly factory.