Oregon Trip - Eureka, CA

June 7, 2014
We finally made it to the coast.  While coming through the last part of the woods, you could tell we were close.  The amount of moisture in the air was unreal, but we LOVED IT! While driving along the coast the road was lined with eucalyptus trees.  It was hard to see the beach because of them, but they were beautiful.

We found our hotel.  We stayed at the Days Inn  in Eureka.  Not the best hotel by any means, but the man checking us in was very informative about the town, and all the things we could go and do.  After checking in we headed up to our room via, their old elevator that never would stay open long enough for 2 people to walk in.  Even if you stood in the doorway, it would shut right on you.  Once, Grandma was almost sandwiched by the door.  Jayden got a little ride up to the room. Lucky boy!

We all headed up to our rooms.  I'm not going to say they were horrible, but you could tell it was an old building.  It smelled old, and had old wall paper and stuff.  It looked like they had tried to update a few things here and there, but not enough to make a  difference.  Zach said it looked like a 1970's murder scene. (The type of hotel room they would use in a 1970's murder scene).  Just look at the carpet in the picture above.

We decided to stick close to town for dinner and our nightly entertainment.  We left our hotel on foot.  They had a band playing down this one alley way.  Pretty good.  We had no idea where to eat. Grandma decided to talk to a family that had just come out of one of the restaurants we were contemplating on going to. (This is something I would never do.) Anyway, they said it was good, and the environment was relaxed. So we headed in. The restaurant was Rays.

 This was the boat display in the seating room.  Alex thought it was AWESOME!!

I'm not going to say dinner was Awful, because it wasn't.  Dinner itself was really good. Customer service was terrible.  Who has a large pizza on their menu, then charges and extra $5 to split it among more than one person? STUPID! Then they ran out of large dough, and made us 2 small pizza's instead, and still charged us the split fee. STUPID! Not to mention, we waited forever for our food, and again my kids were served last.  Why do the screaming kids get fed last ALWAYS? Especially when we all know they are all irritable because they are hungry. 

Ugh. The food was good, that's it. Enough Said.

We went out along the pier and the little shops in town the rest of the night.  The pier was beautiful.  We got a few pictures of all of us enjoying the evening.

As we came back toward town away from the pier, we came upon some type of worry free protest. This sign cracks me up. Zach got a kick out of it too.

Little did they know they had a cop standing in the middle of their protest.  HA HA HA

We came to realize this town really is just a bunch of free love hippies, that love their coffee. Zach thought his brother Cory would fit right in. Minus the dreadlocks!

We came across this mother that was selling her hand made hippie clothing and stuff.  She was short, overweight, had no makeup on and had thick dreadlocks to the middle of her back. Now I am not one to judge, there are a lot of days I don't wear makeup. What was funny was she was loudly yelling at her son to stop whining about how he had no money, and his sister had made some money by selling things she "made".  When I came into view of the 2 kids they too were short, overweight, wearing their free loading hippie clothes and the daughter, no older than Lyndee had thick dreadlocks.  I really couldn't believe she had dreadlocks.  Zach and I were both taken back. I bet that woman had not idea the impression she made on us that night, especially when she never had eye contact with us at all. We definitely live a different life than some.

Shortly after this, we found a treat shoppe.  YES!  We love treats. In we went.  We all came out with something yummy drenched in chocolate.  I think Curt was in chocolate heaven.  He was trying one of everything, and even bought me this yummy salted caramel brownie covered in dark chocolate.  It was SO DELICIOUS!!!!! Mmmmm.  We found this little sign on the counter at the store.

Well . . . we had to try it.

We love us some Bacon, and we love us some Chocolate, but the 2 together? Not so good.  We bought 2 strips and 4 of us shared one.  I'm not even sure we finished one.  You never know if somethings good until you try it. 

We rounded out our evening stumbling upon this little shop.

They weren't open, but I think we spend 30+ min. just looking through the store front windows.  They had all kinds of things.  Curt and Scott were Ooogling over the radios inside on the one wall, wishing, just wishing they could go in.

They really did have some awesome things, and we all would have loved to get inside, but the shop really only was open for 3 hours a day, 4 days a week.  Not much at all.  Sadly we had to keep walking. 

We also learned in Eureka, if your nice to a BUM, and ask how their evening is, then they are gonna tell you their entire life story weather you want to hear it or not.  I used my kids as an excuse to get away.  Curt and Scott were peering into another store window, and this guy was literally standing right behind them waiting for them to turn around an acknowledge him so he could finish his story. Sorry Dude, it's dark, and your a for sure sign that it's time to get my kids safe in bed.

June 8, 2014

The next morning we got up and got ready.  Breakfast was not wonderful (Hotel Breakfast), but enough to get us through till lunch.  On our way out of town, we had to stop at the Carson Mansion.  This is the most photographed Victorian Style home in America.  It was completed in 1887 by Willaim Carson, built for his wife.   He was a logging man, and work was slow.  He had all these workers that needed to work, so he put them to work and built this. It only cost $80,000 to build, which seems like almost nothing to us today.

When Williams daughter was married he built this beauty for his daughter as a wedding present.  It's call the the Pink Lady Mansion.  It's located right across the street from his own house.

We drove around town viewing a few other Vicorian Beauties before we headed out.

Before leaving town, we stopped at a Shell Gas station and filled up. It was $4.38/gallon for gas.  We filled up, Curt was determined to find somewhere cheaper on the way up the coast.  (You'll see why I am writing this, in my next post.)

Oregon Trip - Making our way to the Coast

June 7, 2014 - Day #2 of Driving
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!!!

Oregon Trip - Reno, NV

June 6, 2014

We arrived in Reno after 6pm.  Our plans to go to Lake Tahoe . . . Spoiled.  There is no way we were going to put the kids in the car again.  We checked into our hotel (Hampton Inn), and while we waited for Grandpa, and Grandma to show up, we got relaxed and watched a bit of TV.  I snapped a picture of these nice flowers at the hotel.

After everyone arrived, we decided WE WERE HUNGRY!!! Curt couldn't seem to wait.

He helped himself to a little protein and fiber off the front of the cars. YUMMY!!!!!!

Aunt Debbie suggested Outback Steak House, and off we went.  My kids were starving, and all I could do was give Jayden anything and everything edible to keep him quiet while we waited for our dinner.  Dinner was alright, not awesome, but it kept our tummies full for the rest of the night.  After dinner we headed back to the hotel to take the kids swimming.  Our kids love to swim when we're at hotels.  Fine by me, I have always loved to go swimming.  Jayden was super tired, and of course Zach offered. Grandma came down to the pool after they got back from getting ice cream.  She watched from the side, but gave much encouragement and was a great cheering squad for the kids.  We were all ready for bed after driving, eating and swimming.  Off to bed.  I think we all slept really well.

Oregon Trip 2014 - The Drive

June 6, 2014 - The start to our much anticipated vacation.
We started our Drive Friday morning around 9:00 am.  Zach really wanted to be out the door hours earlier, but with 4 kids, and my awful, terrible memory, (I always remember NEEDED things not until the last minute) It really didn't happen.   We situated the girls in the back seat together, and the boys in the middle.  This was in hopes that the fighting would be minimal.  The kids and I went to the dollar store the night before we left to get a few things to keep them from getting bored.  We made little packs for each of them, that had pen, crayons, coloring book, origami paper, lined paper, and drawing paper.  I also made a food bag for the van.  I put lots of crackers, cookies, applesauce, granola bars, fruit snacks, grapes, carrots, protein bars (for Zach and I) and some sandwiches I made for our Friday Lunch.
As we left Hyrum, we opted to fill up with gas over at the Maverick in Brigham City.  When we got there, gas was 30 cents cheaper than Hyrum. WOW!!! Filler' Up.  We went the snowville way.  I cannot believe people choose to live out that way.  Nothing but sagebrush, and more sagebrush everywhere.    A few trailers and double wides here and there, but not much more.  Oh wait, we did come across this sign by the road, and Alex just so happen to have to go to the bathroom.  Zach snapped a picture because he always shows his bare butt.

Little Jayden was good for most of the drive Friday, until the last 2 1/2 hours.  This is where he decided he had, had enough driving and wanted out.  He was so tired at this point, but wouldn't give in.  He cried and whined for over an hour until he fell asleep. I wouldn'tlet anyone talk after that.  I did not want to chance him waking up again. A few pics here:
                                                                        
            A happy Car:

Animal Crackers, YUM!

This is how Alex eats his Granola Bars when he's bored

Getting Along, YES!!

             Still A Happy Baby

Dad, concentrating on the road. He has no idea I snapped this.

Wait for it . . . There it is. Tired, Grumpy Baby

For most of the days drive, we were driving by ourselves.  We caught up to Grandma and Grandpa Checketts at a rest stop and didn't even plan it. We ate our sandwiches, chips, grapes, and carrots, and they had Quiznos.  From there we followed each other to our Hotel in Reno, NV.