Post 14: Homeward

The 3 big rigs parked outside our room at the Red Lion got a very early start this morning so, so did we. We drove to old town Eureka for coffee and a pastry at the Bakery Cafe, and our A was the only car on the street at 7 in the morning. We topped off the tank using the last of the Marvel Mystery oil and were on the road at 7:30.

Road repairs and construction projects were in full swing off and on all the way to Willits Grade. Long stretches of roadway had been ground or planed with grooves and the A was very squirrely. I felt the pace was a little harried leaving town so every time we had 2 lanes going south, I kept to about 45mph. I have no trouble going 55 or more but it was just a more relaxing way to end our trip. In Leggett we drove through the Chandelier Redwood tree at 315' tall that's believed to be more than 2000 years old. As I approached the tree so Judy could take some photos, the guy behind me was right on my bumper tailgating me at zero mph. Jerk.

We had an early lunch/late breakfast in Willits at the Country Skillet. Then down the hill to Ukiah for the last tank of gas and another Sonoma A's business card to a prospective member at the gas station. We took the Geysers road along the Russian River to Cloverdale, and the frontage road through Geyserville to Healdsburg. One stop at J Winery for a celebratory bottle of bubbly and we were home about 2pm. Total miles for the 20 days was 2202, and the 29 is still running strong as ever. We hope you enjoyed our ride and that you may be inspired to get your Model A ready for a similar run to the MAFCA National Convention in Vancouver, B.C. Canada next year.

Steve & Judy, parked for a while

Post 13: Back in the Golden State

Day 19 started out gray and cool but dry, and it was an easy drive south on 101 with very light traffic. We drove out to the lighthouse at Bandon and checked out the beach which is covered with driftwood, even more than Jenner. We continued south and got into a cold heavy mist before Port Orford. If you were on the return trip from Tacoma in 1994 you'll probably remember the huge single pancake Joe Gensley ordered. Well, the cafe on the cove has been torn down and a new business is being framed. We made it to Gold Beach in time for an early lunch and to warm up, and then down the road to Brookings for gas and an ice cream. It seems that Oregon has one very long beach with a few dramatic rocks and lots of ocean front developments. Many of the properties are impressive but the salt air and neglect has taken its toll on others.

We entered California passing the Easter Lily Capitol of the World (saw the sign), and as often as we've passed through this area we never really knew what was growing in the fields. Judy tried snapping a photo of the gold bear on the Klamath bridge and sort of got a long distance image. We got off the hwy and drove through the Prairie Creek Redwoods to the visitors center where we spotted some male elk laying in the tall grass. The Model A horn seemed to get their attention and Judy took a few pics. Driving south again we turned out at Trinidad and went down to the bay. The water and sky were blue but there was no place to stay the night so we kept going south to Eureka. For about $150 we secured a room at the Red Lion with free wifi. The room was big and dated and the wifi sort of worked, but couldn't open Comcast email. Bummer. We had appetizers for dinner in the lounge and retired early. One more report on the last day will follow, and I'll work on a recap of costs and routes for those interested going to Vancouver next year.

Steve & Judy

Post 12: Have a little wine, Florence

The lodging in Lincoln City was another over priced place to sleep. It seems that we'll be looking at inflated prices when we travel to BC for the MAFCA International Convention next year.

The ride south this morning was conjested until we got off the highway at Otter Crest on the loop road where we found a pit stop and some beautiful coastal scenery. We continued south on 101 past Newport, Waldport & Yachats to Florence where we walked around the water front shops and restaurants and settled in at the Bridgewater for lunch. With a full belly and drooping eyelids we walked over to the River House Motel, a place we've stayed many times, and took the available room settling for the 80 miles we put on the roadster today. A few antique shops were open on this Monday and we checked out the stuff that nobody wants before stopping at Safeway to referbish the wine cellar.

Back at the River House it was nap time and later we opened our door to the President of the Apple Valley A's of Yakima, WA. who we met in the parking lot. We also met a lady celebrating her 80th, born the same day as our A in 1929, and we shared a glass of wine with her and her daughter before heading back to the Zebra for cocktails and a bite to eat.

There are many good memories shared at this motel with a lot of friends that no longer travel or who have taken their last trip.

Steve & Judy in Florence

Post 11: Skirtin' the Oregon Coast

We spent some time at the Sunday Market in Astoria checking out more than 3 city blocks of stuff brought in by farmers, bakers, artists, crafty folks and food vendors. This was all happening outside the Hotel Elliot (our room) where they started setting up about 6:30 in the morning. Well it was time to wake up anyway. Judy bought a few things and we walked up to the Blue Scorcher Bakery Cafe before leaving town. So we got a late start again and as we drove south on 101 pondered how much we boosted the economy. There are many substantial commercial buildings vacant and decaying, but the business' we visited seem do be doing OK. At least the lodging sector is with the inflated prices and all the 'no vacancy' signs lit up.

There was a lot of traffic on the two lanes of Hwy 101. It seems like everyone bailed out of the heat inland and came to the foggy coast. The steam locomotive in Rockaway Beach was belching and loaded with passengers, and two more were on a siding in Garabaldi. The parking lot at the Tillamook Cheese Factory was over flowing so we opted to eat at the Dutch Mill established in 1933 with a shabby 60's makeover. No comment. Arriving in Lincoln City at 4pm we drove around looking for 'vacancy' and lit ocean side at the Coho Inn.

Adios (a word we haven't heard since leaving California) for now.

Steve & Judy

Post 10: Astoria, OR

Its Sunday morning at the Hotel Elliot in Astoria Oregon, where we are making up for the miserable night spent at the 'Worst (price gouging, dated, noisy & dirty) Western' in Astoria, ruining an otherwise pleasant day taking the slow road south from Lake Quinault. Screeching plumbing and barking dogs across the hall, and we're done staying at another BW, EVER. It was a big let down after the two great nights at Lake Quinault. The day we arrived there from Victoria we cooled off in the lake, and we were glad that the next day was 20 degrees cooler.

After check out on Friday we took the Moclips Hwy out to the coast and it was beautiful. There were a few clear cut operations in what appeared to be old growth forest, hauling future 2x4's, OSB and T111 to the mill. Sun broke through the overcast as we neared the coast, and it was smooth sailing (one garage sale stop) all the way to Westport. We had a really good lunch at the One Eye Crab where Judy picked and devoured a whole crab. Amazing but true — we were driving through South Bend shortly after the merge of 101 and the coast hwy we'd been traveling on and this big Dodge pulling a 5th wheel got our attention. It was Dave and Trudy Vestal from Hangtown, returning home after a visit to Vancouver, BC. We talked a while and they were soon out of sight. I should have got gas then and we were sweating it all the way to Naselle. It was getting late to find a decent motel on a Friday so we opted for the BW for $159, yikes!

Saturday we road the Astoria Riverfront Trolley and got the scoop on all the buildings and business' along the waterfront. Then lunch and antiquing, and an hour wait till our room at the Hotel Elliot was ready. We walked all over town and dined at Clement's. The food and wine was very good and we had a wonderful time. Astoria has a Sunday Market that started setting up about 6:30 this morning, and we wandered though more than 3 blocks of vendors selling veggies & crafts, etc. Judy bought some things, and I got info on the pop up canopies.

We will be checking out in a few so until the next stop in who knows where, it's Steve & Judy signing off for now.

Post 9: Feelin' the Heat

Wow how lucky we are to have landed here at the Lake Quinault Lodge. I tried repeatedly to book a room for this trip and lucked out when someone canceled because the lodge doesn't have AC and they couldn't tolerate the heat. It was 100 here at 4pm yesterday, the hottest on record. Back tracking a bit, we had a great time in Victoria despite the excessive heat. Samantha and Mary stayed with us on the ferry to Port Angeles, and after lunch we said our goodbyes. Two wonderful friends we really enjoyed being with.

Heading inland from the coast it got really hot. The 29 has been its old reliable self and never showed any sign of fatigue or over heating. Not the same with the pilot and co-pilot. We estimate it was over 100 and were told today that Seattle hit 107 (Needles was probably cooler). As we drove south on 101 the terrain and vegetation was changing. Trees shaded the highway and it was getting cold probably a 40 degree temp drop. Then we saw the sign for Ruby Beach and turned off to see the Pacific Ocean and soak in the cool air. Turning inland at Queets it didn't take long to return to scorching heat.

We arrived a little past 5 and at check in asked for a second night which we were able to book this morning due to a cancelation. We dined late last night and cooled off with our feet in the lake. This is a very international vacation destination and its fun listening to the kids especially, yakking in their own languages. We took a hike this morning in the rain forest and were astonished by all the downed trees with paths cleared by chain saw. A fellow hiker said that in 2007 there was a fierce storm that blew in with 120 mph winds and heavy rains that took a heavy toll on the forest.

We'll be making a room change into the main lodge building and had to check out by 11am, but we can check back in at 3pm. So with some free time Judy hung out at the Laundromat and I serviced the car and changed the oil at the local Chevron station. The lobby has wifi and although I was going to ignore technology while here I just couldn't. Sitting on a leather couch, laptop on lap top, in luxury's lap, kids playing piano (well), great views all around in and out, I wish we could stay a while longer.

Steve & Judy

Post 8: Victoria's Secret

Well it's Wednesday morning in Victoria and plans have changed. Our trip to Vancouver has been put on hold until next year for several reasons. First and foremost is that I was able to book a (unavailable till this morning) room at Lake Quinault Lodge in the Olympic Rain Forest. Secondly in checking available lodging in Vancouver, what was available is "spendy", and it's an additional 214 miles and two days (less 90 minutes) to Port Angeles, WA.

Since we arrived here in Victoria I haven't stopped sweating, and the ladies haven't stopped radiating. Hot and humid, one of 4 heat waves in the last 100 years. I think one other was during the 1994 Joint meet in Tacoma that we attended. We drove out to Butchart Gardens yesterday and were wowed by the beauty. We could do as well at home if everyone would just come over and help. Mom treated to a luxurious lunch while there and we went our separate ways afterwards. After naps Judy & I stopped in at the inn at the East India Room at Empress for Martinis and conversation, and to see how high on the hog we could get. And speaking of hogs, one donated dinner at a local pub (they’re everywhere) and we had some local brew to cool us as AC is rare.

We've got to run to check out and catch the ferry, and probably won't have email in the forest tonight.

Until the next time........Steve & Judy on the water but not on the wagon.