...For Marcelo!
When we received the information that my great, great nephew was going to be the recipient of this benefit, we prayed things would allow us to adventure up and be a part of it.
If you have been visiting my blog, you might remember when I wrote this.
Though I didn't share exactly what had happened, you could guess it was something terrible.
This young boys mother was driving home when another driver crossed the median and hit her head on, killing her instantly and leaving her son, then 3, with traumatic brain injury.
That weekend, Lawnstock 2018, brought together family and friends
to LOVE on that little dude!
He is undoubtedly a miracle!!!
One of the BEST adventures we have been on!
As always, the journey up and back had some incredible sights and adventures of its own!
On the way up, we drove through one very HOT Desert!
It was 115 outside, and our truck was not happy!
With the added weight of the water we were hauling for the event, it began to overheat.
Of course hubby did all the tricks to keep it in a good temp range,
but we agreed shooting over to the coast would make the truck happy.
Around Pismo, the clouds began to resemble a watercolor painting!
The way the sun shined through them, it created a streak of a rainbow.
We stayed the night at the Avila/Pismo Beach KOA.
They just happened to have one space left, and only a smaller RV's would fit.
That would be us!
If there were going to be any open sites, this would be the size.
This is the second time while on our 40 Adventures we have gotten the last spot.
During one of our pit stops, we encountered a rather steep drive. I wondered if we drug our back-end and I was right! Only took hubby a few minutes to straighten it back out.
Best part, it didn't tear up our new spare cover.
As you drive north up the 101, instead of following it along the east side of San Francisco, which is a scenic route itself, we like to take the I-280 to go on the west side of the peninsula. It is a much better drive, and it also has some interesting sites to watch out for. Like the Flinstone House above.
It was built in 1976.
As you continue up the highway, be sure to stop at the Crystal Springs Rest Area. We didn't, but I was able to snap this shot at the right time. From the rest area, there is a path to walk up and around this 26ft tall statue of Junipero Serra, the "Founder of California."
When we drove through the city with the trailer the last time (2015), I told hubby we really don't have to do it again, once really was enough! However, the way we come in like I said earlier, is the best route.
Traffic was in our favor, so we went for it.
Take the 19th Street exit off the I-280 and
follow it through Golden Gate Park and then up to the Golden Gate Bridge.
YES, it gets narrow!!!
Oh, and watch out for HUGE pot-holes!!!
In 2015 it was renamed The Robin Williams Tunnel.
I didn't see the new sign?
The traffic continued to be with us, so after lunch, we stayed on the 101 heading toward our destination for the night, Konocti Vista Casino Resort, Marina and RV Park in Lakeport.
At "the fork in the road" we asked ourselves again if we wanted to continue. Not but 15 minutes later the traffic came to a complete stop! It wasn't the stop and go type traffic but rather the STOP, maybe move a car or two, and STOP traffic again! Five FULL lanes of traffic had to merge down to two lanes. We did a GPS update, and if we turned around at the next off-ramp, we could go back to the fork and take the other route.
We weren't the only ones thinking this route would be quicker? Once past the two bottlenecked turns where the other drivers were congesting that way, once we turned onto the 121 to Napa, it was smooth sailing from there. Even with the NHRA at the track, we went the speed limit all the way through Napa.
Knowing a few backroads to get through a couple back-ups did help.
We were a bit concerned with how the truck was acting up, but he just took it slow.
The Redwood Coast Cabins and RV park was a decent place.
It looks like it was once a KOA.
While setting up, hubby found a massive gash in our tire.
Yep, a big pothole we hit in San Francisco not only knocked our plug out, but it also tore up our tire. Amazed we made it all the way to our destination without it blowing out completely!
Blessings!
For the 2 nights, we were at the coast, we never got to see a sunset!
The fog rolled in about fourish obstructing our view.
It didn't stop us from trying.
These little adventures create sights we wouldn't have seen had we not explored.
And barns!
There was also some driftwood art.
First was a stop at the Worlds Famous Tree House.
I played with my lens ball.
This was one of a few shots that turned out.
Once home, I need to practice.
The handling is awkward for my hands to hold it and stay steady.
Thinking some type of perch for it to sit on?
As we traveled down the 101, we saw smoke in the distance, and about where we were heading.
The closer we got, it looked like it was moving fast and hot!
While at Lawnstock, hwy 299 was closed due to the Carr Fire.
Now this one!
As we approached, it was beginning to crest over the hills on our left.
Hot spots were starting along its path in front of the high flames.
It was beginning to get really smokey!
Fire engines were spread out on each side of the road, working to stop it in its path.
By the time we got to the round-about at Upper Lake, more and more fire crews were showing up, filling up on gas and water, heading towards it.
We overheard a helicopter pilot on his way to drop buckets of water, the road we were just on was now closed.
We made it through just in time.
We called our friends that we won't be able to meet them for lunch after all, and they told us how they were being evacuated due to another fire that was heading toward the one we just passed through.
Knowing they were safe, we had to continue on.
As the smoke filled the valley floor, there was no sight of Clearlake, only smoke!
By the time we made it to Lost Hills RV Park, the smoke from all the fires burning in California, mad for a beautiful sunset.
So was the sunrise the next morning!
Finally getting our sunset and sunrise made for an excellent way to end our adventure.
With one last mountain to climb, the truck did great.
We made it home safely.
Then it went to the mechanic.
