We Took the Long Way (Part ??? out of Many)

Location(s): More California, Oregon, and Washington

Our vacation within our road trip to our new home was over. We had an amazing time and are already talking about heading back soon....maybe a quick late winter trip to beat the snow days here?!?

We picked up my beloved dog (who had RAVE reviews from the kennel)and hit the road. Next stop Monterey, California! I had done little to no research on Monterey...I was consumed with Disneyland! Talking to my friend Cari before we even left Oklahoma I told her of our stop and she told me all I need to know...."You are going to LOVE it! I would move there in a heart beat." That was all I needed to know.

The drive to Monterey was breathless....the blue sky, the mountains, the wineries....it was amazing.

My biggest regret...not stopping at any of the wineries or fruit picking stands. I LOVE the smell of fresh oranges.

After some unexpected sight seeing of town (Ranch got 'confused' on the directions again) we finally found our hotel. After checking in and praying the car with the topper cleared the underground garage opening (barely) we dragged our stuff to our room. Rich once again had to work on his masters assignment so Rocky and I were on our own for the night.  Before the sun started to set Rocks and I took a stroll into town and stumbled upon Ranch's idea of Heaven.

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory...YUM!

Then Rocky found his little slice of Heaven. He just wanted to run and chase all of the seagulls.

While strolling around, Rocky and I found a quick place to grab some pizza for dinner. After all 3 of us ate it was time to hit the books once again for Ranch.(AKA Annie's boring time!)

I started to notice on this trip that I had the worst time sleeping! However, the early morning wake ups do come with some advantages...Rocky and I found seals and pelicans! LOTS of them!

I don't think this guy is going to make it!

We hit the road once again making our last stop in California.  When I we made the trip itinerary we knew we wanted to see the famous Redwoods. Mapping out our route we decided that Eureka, CA was going to be a perfect spot to stop. We didn't realize we'd have to sleep with 1 eye open and that we were lucky to have 2 towels in our room! (there was a line of people at the check in complaining about only have a washcloth in their room)

In Disneyland, our excellent waiter at Napa Rose told us of a great brewery to try in Eureka. I am grateful we listened! The beer helped us settle our nerves for the night!

After getting a restful night of NO sleep! We discovered our car and the carrier still in the same spot we'd left it the day before! Success! My goal for the day....find the largest redwood!!!

Taking in the landscape: priceless. One of the most AMAZING views I have ever seen.  I am so happy that I was able to see the redwoods.

Look how close the tree is to the road! And they just get closer!

Driving through the redwoods: SCARY!!!!! Somehow I got stuck making the drive through the winding roads.  I don't even know where to begin on describing these roads.  I felt like I could reach out and hit either the oncoming traffic or a giant redwood. There were actual parts of the road that ran through parts of redwoods! I've never been so nervous to drive before! THEN you have these downward slopes that speed you along and as you are cruising (doing the speed limit of course) all of sudden out of nowhere is a bunch of twists and turns! Then you have cars behind you riding the tail of your car and you have NO WHERE to pull over to let them pass you.  When you do find a some plot of land to pull off into your husband then freaks that you are driving him off a cliff! (which we did see by the way!) My wonderful husband took video and pictures of my white knuckling the steering wheel...I just can't seem to find them right now.
Overall, I'd love to see the redwoods again. Heck I'd even camp there. I wouldn't however want to drive through the redwoods.

Oregon!

As we set off for Salem, Oregon NOTHING exciting happened. Oregon is a very pretty state. Lots of trees, beautiful colors, and luckily for us, clear skies.  But....nothing exciting happened on this leg of the trip.
Wait, I was reminded of my "near death experience".  While out walking the dog behind the hotel I struck up a conversation with a fellow dog owner.  As we chatted about our beloved animals he began to snack on berries growing on a string of bushes behind him. I didn't want to look like a "tourist" and ask what type of berry it was.  (or I'd look like someone who doesn't eat fruit!) So I waited until him and his four legged friend left and then I grabbed a few.  I didn't eat them right away. I showed them to Ranch and told him of my encounter.  He laughed and me and then said "you're not really going to eat those right?!?" as I tossed them back! They were delicious! Rich then proceeded to locate the nearest ER...just in case. (we later found out they were boysenberries)

OH...how could I forget our stop at VooDoo Donuts!?! We printed out directions for this hour detour!

Look how excited this guy is!

If you haven't heard of VooDoo Donuts, climb out from under the rock you've been living under!!! It is a slice of donut heaven just down the street from a "men's establishment"...don't believe me?!?

Looks like one of their regulars!

Don't worry....they are!

VooDoo Donuts makes these unbelievable donut creations using anything and everything.  Here are the 4 we picked up. (we really wanted to get a dozen and try them all but that would have been a bit much...says Rich!)

"Old Dirty Bastard" Oreos and peanut butter...YUM!

"VooDoo Doll" Raspberry filled with chocolate frosting and pretzels

"The Loop" Vanilla frosting with Fruit Loops

"Bacon Maple Bar" Maple frosting with Bacon (Bacon makes everything better!)

It really was worth the hour detour! I wish they mailed them to Alaska.


Washington!

Our last stay in the Lower 48! I really wanted to see if I could trick convince Ranch to stay in Forks (Twi-hards will understand) but I knew I'd be pushing my luck. Plus, I've always wanted to see Seattle...and wear my Thunder shirt! Hahahaha (I know. I'm a rebel!)

Every time Seattle was the setting for a movie/book/whatever it always appeared gloomy and rainy. So I found it very odd that the sun was shinning the day we arrived.

We googled Food Network reviewed restaurants for dinner and found a fun bar called Brave Horse Tavern.  We HIGHLY recommend it if you ever find yourself in downtown Seattle. Food was great, they had numerous beers on tap, and the atmosphere was very cool.  Plus, the bartender picked up our drink tab for us once he heard we were driving all the way to Alaska. I knew I should have ordered one more drink!

I think I would enjoy living in Seattle. The bar downstairs from Brave Horse has an outdoor bocce ball court! I thought I'd died and gone to Heaven...bocce ball, beer, and bacon cheeseburgers! Seattle is doing it right!

Bocce Ball Genius

We walked around downtown and saw the Space Needle before it was time to head back and prepare for Canada.

The day had come. Time to leave the Lower 48. We had a few errands to run before we crossed into "The True North". After being drenched from the downpour, thanks Seattle for living up to my ideas of you, we headed out to find a grocery store.
Rumor was we needed to stock up on a few items since you don't know when you will NOT find food. (great!)

We soaked up the scene around us as we quickly approached the border.

Next up: Canada or Bust....Annie why are you hysterically crying?