We left Reno, with a good breakfast, and excitement for the Northern California Forrest. We were tired of desert and wanted something a little greener, and cooler.
We hadn't even left Reno before we got to see this grumpy face again. Oh, Alex. I hope you look back upon this one day and wonder why you were always so grouchy. Love you buddy!
Jayden on the other hand was loving his Granola Bar.
As we kept on our way we loved, loved, loved the change in scenery. Mountains and forest really are what we enjoy. The kids were WOW'ed by the trees. We had to keep telling them, that they were only going to get bigger the closer we got to the Redwoods.
Trees as far as the eyes could see down this straight road.
There is always room for a selfie, Right? (Zach)
We stopped at a rest stop along the way to relieve ourselves. It really was so nice to get out and walk around. Jayden needed a break from the car. I just love this little guy of ours. I love that he is a Daddy's Boy. It really makes me so happy when these 2 are playing together.
The bugs are bigger in the forest. I don't know what it is, but it was probably 50 cent piece sized. Make sense?
Grandma and the Fam.
The girls and I decided to venture around down by the River. They really do know how to pose. Silly Girls.
I love the woods. Gods creations are beautiful, and I always feel closer to the spirit when I'm in the woods.
I thought this tree was interesting.
And ... if you know me at all, then you'll know that I was trying to be brave when I took this picture, hoping that some ugly, hairy spider wouldn't creep out and jump on me or my camera. The girls thought it was funny watching me snap this one.
While we were down by the river, Alex wanted to join us. He was running in flip flops, yelling for us to wait. (We were barely moving) He tripped on something and scraped his toe. He was screaming and crying as if he was going to lose his toe or something. He's a little dramatic. He ran back up to the parking lot, but freaked out because it was still bleeding. I had to take him to the van and doctor him up. Getting him to hold still for this picture was awful. I needed proof that he over reacted. YUP!!! He did. He put on his running shoes and socks instead, and blamed me for not "waiting" for him. Again, we were barely walking. I think everyone was tired of hearing him cry about it, that they all decided to get back to the road.
About lunch time, we had just gotten to Redding, CA. At glimpse driving through, we really liked the town. We were following Grandpa and Grandma. They decided to eat at Carl's Jr. Of all the places we could have gone, they picked this one, with a gross bathroom, and sticky tables, in what we came to realize was not the best part of town. On our way in we were bothered by 2 men who kept asking us if they could wash our windows for $$. We said no. They hung around the parking lot by both our cars. Zach was nervous, because we had the computer, and his gun in the van. He stood watch while they were about, and finally went out and moved the Van closer to the building where we were sitting. Grandpa ordered first, then Uncle Scott, then us. They all had their meals quite quickly. There were 2 people that ordered after us, and guess what? They had theirs first. WHAT? We seriously waited 25 min. for our food. FAST FOOD!!! Zach and I were so upset. Everyone was almost done eating before we even got ours, and our kids were starving. Jayden was screaming. Grandma calmed him down with a few french fries. This picture was right when we sat down, at the start of our 25 min wait.
After we were done eating, Madi wanted some more juice. We headed over to the drinking fountain where there was a person sitting, waiting for their food. Now I say person, because we are not sure if "she" was a hooker, or "he" was a Tranny. Not sure, but the look on Madi's face when she saw him/her was priceless. She kinda stopped and looked him/her up and down in disgust. WOW. If you get that look from a 3 year old, then you've definitely got something wrong. Yep . . . time to go!
When we left Redding, CA the van said it was 110 degrees outside. HOT!! I told Zach that I couldn't wait for it to be a little cooler back in the woods. (Did I mention we love the woods?) This next part of our drive was one of quietness. Why you ask? Let's just say that it was a dang good thing I was driving, or there would have been some puking. I get car sick really easy. The roads from Redding to Eureka were so windy, and hilly. When I say hilly, it's the small little hills that give you the flutter in your gut. Nothing but winding and fluttering, winding and fluttering, over and over again. It put Jayden right to sleep. Alex and Lyndee both started feeling sick and fell asleep. Madi dozed off sometime, I'm not sure when. Zach leaned his chair back and was on the verge of car sickness. I usually do fine as long as I am the one driving. I was getting sick, wishing this leg of the trip were over. It probably took us just over an hour before we stopped at another rest stop to get our feet back on the ground.
When we pulled in I had noticed that the temp. had dropped 30 degrees since Redding. WHAT? I really couldn't believe it. While we were all sitting around chatting, Jayden was on an adventure finding rocks, sticks and anything else he could. He was making circle around the table with his new found walking skills. Madi couldn't resist and joined in the fun too.
Grandma and Grandpa
When we decided to leave, we were watching for the Home of Big Foot. Willow Creek, CA. This little town had the First BIG FOOT sighting. We wanted to visit the museum, but it was closed. We settled for some pictures. It was funny. The first statue we came across was in the parking lot of a little gas station. We all hopped out and posed for some pictures.
Little did we know, that down the street was the REAL statue. (Much Bigger)
Lyndee compared her feet with Big Foots. Not even close girl.
Since the museum was closed they had some old farm equipment off to the side that Grandpa and Uncle Scott were Oogling over. The kids hopped right up for some more fun pictures.
After Big Foot, we only had just over an hour left until we hit eureka. I finish out the drive, as I was still a little woozy. As we came to the coast, a long awaited site for sore eyes, we couldn't believe that the temp. had dropped again to 64 degrees. Just 2 hours ago, and 2000+ feet up in elevation it was 110. Amazing, really amazing. We'll take the 60 degree weather, 110 was just too HOT!!!
