"Old Friends"

We spent the next few days on the road. Six hundred miles one day and then five hundred the next. One evening we spent at a KOA campground in Western Kansas. Ethan, Noah and I went for a evening swim and Elizabeth did all the laundry. (She is wonderful.)

Finally, on Friday around 5 pm we stopped in Murry, Ky. We stayed the night there with an old boss and friend of mine, Jerry. He and his wife Pat, made dinner for us as we caught up. I had not seen Jerry in 21 years but was able to find him through the miracle of "facebook." We had a wonderful time eating watermelon and playing cards.

The next day we were off again. This time just a little ways up the road to Mammoth Cave. Our last national park and our last stop. Derek Cain drove over from Berea that night and hung out. Next morning we were all off to Mammoth Cave. It was very cool. Really. The caves stay a constant 54 degrees. We took the Historic Tour and Frozen Niagra Tour. It rained all day but we didn't care. We were in the caves. I didn't have too many pics that came out well in the caves.

Afterwards, we got some lunch and then headed into Bowling Green to do some shopping at the mall. It rained all day. As evening came is was a bit sad. Tonight was our last night of the trip. Tomorrow we would be home.

It was a rather uneventful trip across the Cumberland Parkway and eventually we were turning into our driveway. It was great to be home. The trip in the summer of 2009 will always be with me and my family. In the years to come we will revisit all of these places in our hearts and memories. I hope to see them all again. God's creation certainly derserves another look.

"Homeward Bound" 6.30.09

We left by 7 am from Groveland, CA and began the long trek home. We spent all day Saturday (6.27.09) heading toward Nevada. On the way we saw some beautiful country. We went back through Yosemite and through the Tioga Pass. (top) It was amazing. After eleven hours on the road we spent the night at a Flying J in Winnemucca, Nevada.

The next morning we hit the road again and made our way across Nevada, the Salt Flats of Utah and stayed the night in a campground in Provo.

Then Monday we again drove all day. We drove through the eastern part of Utah and passed through the glorious Spotted Wolf Canyon. We stopped there and enjoyed the view and walked out to an unoffical overlook. It was about 100 degees, but it was a dry heat. Kind of like getting blown in the face with a hairdryer.

At the end of the day we were in Glenwood Springs, CO. We decided that we would spend the next few days here and enjoy Glenwood Canyon. As I mentioned in an earlier blog, I wanted to come back here. So... here I am. We went into town and ate at a wonderful Italian restaurant call "Italian Underground."

Today we decided to whitewater rafting. The Colorado river is running about twice as fast as normal due to a rainy spring. The river wasn't a problem, in fact, it was alot of fun.

Afterwards, I rented a bike and headed east into the canyon. The paved bike path winded around the canyon with the Colorado River and went around and underneath the elevated highway. Twenty miles later I was back at camp. It had been a fun day but tomorrow it will be back on the road. We are going to try to make it to Mammoth Cave by Saturday afternoon. There is still a great deal of road to cover. Pray for our safety. -Alan

"Chasing Rainbows" 6.27.09

The way I had planned this entire trip was to leave the last two weeks free from a schedule. We would make our way back to Kentucky at our own pace. Therefore, after a little thought and encouragement from my wonderful wife, I decided to head back to Yosemite and reach the top of Half Dome. It would take two days but it would be worth it.

We left the Redwoods and said goodbye to the Pacific Coast. It was a painful goodbye. Within a few hours we were 100 miles inland and about 40 degrees warmer. We ran the generator most of the afternoon to keep the ceiling AC units running so the RV wouldn't turn into an oven. We made it down to Lodi, CA by the end of the day and stayed at a Flying J.

The next morning we had some RV items to attend to. After a good wash and an oil change the RV was feeling better. (Usually works for me.) We picked up some fresh produce and headed to Yosemite. The picture above is hwy 120 heading toward the park. It never stops going up. We got to our campsite and I prepared my pack for the hike the next morning.

At 3:45 am my alarm goes off. By 4:00 am I am out the door. It would take me an hour to reach the trailhead. During that time I munched on dry cereal and drank some milk. That would be breakfast. I was on trail with a full pack by 5:15 am. My goal was to make it to the top, 8.3 miles, by 10:00 am. It was 55 degrees when my hike began but I knew it would reach the mid-eighties before it ended. I packed ten bottles of water. Five in the reservoir in my pack and five to fill it again.

The hike was harder this time. I think I set my pace a little to fast. Within a mile I was getting concerned about the level of pain I was willing to put up with. Also, I was hiking alone so all I had to keep me company was me. For those of you who know me you can imagine how fun that was. After a couple of miles though I began to get a rhythm. The burning that started in my legs had subsided. It was still tough, I was just feeling better about it.

After several quick breaks I finally made it to the base of the dome. I had a little twinge in my left knee but other than that I was doing well. Now came the cables. 4oo feet of cables. I pulled out my gloves from my pack and headed up. As you can see there were only about a dozen people on the cables so I was hoping for a quick ascent.

Getting up the cables is as much about your grip as it is the traction of your shoes. At time the slope reaches 45 degrees. About every 20 feet there is a 2x4 attached to the rock. They are there as places to stop and take a breather. It took about 20 minutes to get up the cables. I stopped many times to catch my breath and enjoy the veiw and the experience. "I am standing on a sheer rock face. Very cool."

By 9:30 am I was looking down over Yosemite Valley from 2000 feet above. I had finally done it. I called my father and shared the adventure with him. (good signal on Half Dome.) I spent the next hour just looking everywhere. I would lay down by the edge and stick my head over the side of the sheer cliff. I really was remarkable. I ate my lunch and then pulled out my Bible and read some Psalms. (23,24,98, & 100)

"Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Le the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the Lord," - Psalm 98:7-9.

Coming down the cables was a bit easier on the arms but a little harder to control. By now the cable were full of people. No real problems, just took time. At the base of the dome I gave my gloves to a young man who didn't have any and wished him luck. I filled the reservoir with my last five bottles of water and headed down. I met a gentleman who was a professor in New Jersey. His name was Dave. We talked for the next few hours as we made our way to the top of Nevada Falls. The day was beautiful and I decided to stay and enjoy the falls for awhile. As I stood at the top a rainbow formed over falls. My day was getting even better.

I eventually made my way down to Vernal Falls along the Mist Trail. By now my left knee is in a considerable amount of pain but I really don't care. As I come around to Vernal Falls another rainbow begins to form. I know it probably does this all the time but I like to believe that God was doing it just for me. I sat there for a while and enjoyed the moment. (and let the pain in my knee ease a bit.)

Now it was just a matter getting down the last mile. By now the trail is paved a few hundred people are on it. I come around a corner to find a brown bear heading up the slope at me. Now there were about 40 people in the direct vicinity so it was not a scary moment, but to see a bear so close was something I will always remember. He looked at all of us, literally jumped the trail and disapearred up the side of the mountain. WOW!

I made it back the car and headed to the shops in the valley. I wanted a shirt that said, "I Made It to the Top." I picked one up and headed back to camp. My legs will be sore for a few days and my calves will hurt for a week but it was all worth it. What a day I had "chasing rainbows."

I'm just living vicariously through myself. - Alan

"The Redwoods and Stout Grove" 6.22.09

I wanted to include some more pictures of the hike in the Redwoods and through Stout Grove. You can click on a picture for a larger image. Enjoy. - Alan

Tree huggers!

























The bark on a Coastal Redwood and grow up to a foot in thickness.


















The view from the Cresent Beach Overlook. We had our picnic there and Noah helped us spot a Bald Eagle.















Noah. Need I say more?



The entrance into Stout Grove.













A little man among giants.

"Avenue of the Giants" 6.20.09

Thirty miles south of Leggett, CA the road says goodbye to the Pacific and head inland. Again, a very twisty and winding road lay between us and the Redwoods. Once we reached the end of Route 1 we visited the "Drive-Thru Tree." Unfortunately, we couldn't get the RV through but it was still quite a site. Our next Redwood spectacle was the "Grandfather Tree."

The highlight of the day was the "Avenue of the Giants." For 35 miles we drove amongst some of the largest trees in the world. They can grow up to 360 feet high and 30 feet in diameter. They are beyond words. The next few days I would spend in one of my favorite places ever.

We found a wonderful campsite in Klamath. Just north of the Golden Bear Bridge. We got set up and enjoyed roasting marshmellows with other visitors to the camp.

After lunch the next day we made our to the Rhodadendron Trail. Kevin and Felicity headed to Willow Creek to visit the Bigfoot Museum so they could not join us. We spent the next few hours enjoying the lush forest. Bright green ferns covered the forest floor and the giant redwoods seemed to keep watch over everything. It was truly remarkable. After the hike we took a drive along the "Coastal Trail" and ended up at "Fern Canyon." Here, the fern line the walls of the canyon. It is a magical place.

The next day we went hiking with Kevin and Felicity on the "Boy Scout Trail." The trail is about 5.5 miles round trip and once again it was amazing. We enjoyed the trail and then headed to the "Stout Grove." It is known to be one of the most picturesque groves in California. It was late in the afternoon and the sun was peeking through the trees. The shadows would give depth to the trees. It was incredible how my hand would fit in the grooves of the bark.

We ended the day enjoying some fresh fish at a local diner and playing "hangman" with Noah. (We also made it back in time to roast marshmellows.) -Alan

"California State Route 1 - The Only Way to Go" 6.19.09

California State Route 1 is probably the most challeng- ing road I have traveled. The curves are so sharp that the RV crosses the yellow line in the turn between the front and back wheels. A good part of the drive today was just that tight. Curve after curve after curve. Luckily, the view of the Pacific was spectacular from the golden hills and shear cliffs of California to blue hued Pacific crashing against the cliffs. It is spectacular.

The plan was to traverse Route 1 all the way to Leggett, CA in two days. It is just too curvy to make in one day. We stayed at a campground in Mendocino, just south of Fort Bragg. The campground is located right on the ocean. We got settled in and Elizabeth made us a wonderful dinner. Kevin and Felicity had a great campsite and that evening invited us over for s'mores. We sat around and enjoyed the campfire. (Felicity is a bit of a pyro-maniac.) It was a good day.

The next morning Elizabeth and I took a walk to the ocean. It was chilly but a nice morning. We broke camp and headed north. Just as we got under way we stopped at fruit stand and bought some Bing Cherries that were grown locally. They were fantastic. Today, we see the Coastal Redwoods. That will be glorious. -Alan

"The San Francisco Treat" 6.18.09

We dropped off the RV to get the brakes fixed on Wednesday in Martinez, CA just north of San Francisco. There was a mix up in the parts so it was going to be Thursday before it would be finished. We decided to stay in a hotel Wed. and Thurs. evening and pick up the RV Friday morning. So we relaxed on Wednesday. The boys went for a swim in the pool, Elizabeth soaked up some sun, I had a little lunch at a local pizzeria and then we went to see "Night at the Museum 2."

Thursday, we went to visit the city and started by joining Kevin and Felicity for lunch. We met at Fisherman's Wharf and ate at a second story restaurant over looking Pier 39. We could see the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz from the outdoor eating area.

After lunch we decided to take a boat ride in the bay. It would take us under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz. Seeing the bridge from that perspective is unique. The Golden Gate Bridge is 746 feet high and the 2nd longest suspension bridge span in the country. It's an incredible piece of architecture. Ethan and Kevin, as you can see, did a little bit of "hat" shopping.

Afterwards we took the trolley to Chinatown to get Stacey some chopsticks (it's what she asked for) and... to have dinner. We enjoyed the local cuisine and I enjoyed watching Ethan and Noah use chopsticks. We had a great trolley ride back as Ethan and I hung off the side.

We then headed off to the Golden Gate Bridge. We crossed the bridge and headed up to an overlook on the north side of the bridge. It was very windy and chilly but it was worth it. The bridge was lit up with the lights of San Francisco in the background. Kevin got some great pics with his camera. My camera was not up to the task of taking a "night shot."

We said goodnight to Kevin and Felicity and headed to our hotel. Tomorrow we would get the RV back and head up Route 1. Sounds like fun. -Alan