The Great Magic Bus Adventure

Visitor Center at Redwood National Park, Orick, California

Stagecoach Trail turned into roadway

High water rivers and streams

First stop was the Redwood Visitor Center.  We marveled at the waves, walked amongst the rocks and driftwood.  The ranger told us of waves that came almost to the building.  We planned our time between north and south and headed out to commune with the trees.

The park is divided into the northern and southern sections.  It’s long and narrow.  The north is harder to access but worth the trip.  We camp in the middle at Elk Valley Campground.  Day 1 we visit the ranger station, obtain trail passes for Tall Trees Trail and then travel north to the Oregon border crossing into the park just south of Grants Pass.  We try to drive straight through but I cannot resist stopping to see the elk grazing near the road or taking a moment to hug a redwood that stands like a sentinel on the scenic byway.

We spent time alone at Stout Grove, marveling at the majesty.  Feeling blessed to enjoy the forest in solitude.  We drove the old stagecoach trail winding through the giant trees on hard packed dirt.  It was slow travel with ruts, big puddles from the recent rains and trees intruding on the road or rather the road intruding on the giant trees.  After all it is they who have been here for hundreds of years.

It was a mystical journey, the sun peaking through here and there to spotlight the beauty.   Surreal clouds of steam evaporated in waves across the path.  Looking closer we realize it’s created by the sun permeating the canopy heating an isolated tree or rock. There is so much moisture in everything that it simply evaporates creating the vapor.

In places crystals of water shone in the sunlight, suspended like jewels along the road or path.  Dozens of spider webs that somehow had materialized in the ferns and tree branches were set aglow in the sunshine.  I am awe struck, surrounded by giants – trees some 24 feet around, shoulder high ferns, incredible beauty, a mystical ancient world, surreal in it’s majesty.  They aren’t as wide as the Sequoia but they rise hundreds of feet into the sky.

Walking amongst the Red Woods is a humbling experience.  It makes you feel a spiritual sense of things that illuminates the importance of protecting our planet.  I feel blessed to experience this first hand.  I feel enraged that people thought it was ok to cut down these enormous trees.  I’m saddened to know that across the earth we violate our planet for short term economic gain.  Thank you to all who fought to protect the land and establish  our National Parks.  It was the greatest gift one generation could give to the next.  I say a prayer of thanks and commit to honor their sacrifice.

We head to Trinidad, California for the sunset.

I was thinking of renaming this post but any label I add will not justify the raw

power, beauty and relentless force of the sea and storms.  We arrived here from the snow, edging through Portland still reeling from the 15″ snow storm.  We traveled to the coast across the ridge of foothills.  The signs requiring chains ignored in favor of the sunny crisp winter day.

I was panicking a bit.  I had hoped for sunshine and a mild climate.  After all the last 8 years had been mild and gorgeous winters.  At least from afar, not so for natives especially farther inland.  The mild weather meant severe drought, lack of snow for winter activities and West Coasters forgetting what winter weather really felt like.

We braved the windy road and headed down the coast.  We chose an RV Campground with a large heated pool (84 degrees) and a hot tub.   We spent time each day swimming laps and soaking.  It was crazy having such a cool facility.  Of course cell service was non-existent. There was a short walk to the beach.  The laundry was great and overall I’d give it an A-.   Minus for connectivity.  An A for the site, the amenities and the short trail to the ocean.  It was cool.  The ocean roared and the rain poured.  There was a constant background music to our visit.  Joel said the rain sounded like marbles.  Turns out it was hail the size of marbles.  Amazing.

We ate fresh seafood and visited the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport.  It was pouring and we had the place to ourselves.  The staff was very helpful and delighted to teach us about the sea creatures.  Definitely worth the visit.

For us these latest storms meant fun in the snow in Washington. It also meant we could  experience first hand “ground zero” for three consecutive coastal storms.  And then to top it off as the storms passed inland wreaking havoc across the country we were immersed in an amazing Women’s March in Coos Bay, Oregon.

The people gathered in the rain and wind. I used a piece of insulation to make a sign.  Miraculously the sky cleared for the protest.  The sense of community was over whelming.  The commitment to our countries values of human rights, respect and honor was paramount.

Throughout our visit the Oregon people were amazing.  Sometimes gruff  but always helpful.  Warm and welcoming once they let their guard down.  We bonded with the natives throughout the 10 day experience.  They were mesmerized by the intensity of the winter.  We were exhilarated by the beauty and power of the Pacific Ocean.

We made new friends – Arlene a fellow marcher, who cried when she realized people were there from as far as Michigan.   All of our fellow marchers- moms and children, teenagers, men, women, retirees were friendly and excited to share their commitment.   Drivers honked their horns and gave a thumbs up.

The next day we met Ted and Katherine from Ashland at the Irish Pub while watching football.  We compared notes, relishing memories of the march.  They had 8000 marchers in Ashland, a town of 16000.  Katherine and I connected at once under the only heater in the pub.  It was fun chatting. They invited us to visit and we’re hoping to meet up in Southern California.

We continued down the coast.  We walked the beach, racing the water as it advanced in ribbons up the sand.  We gathered driftwood, captured the antics of beach birds as they darted, pecked and flew across the beach.  We marveled at the size and scope of wave, upon wave, upon wave breaking across the water.

We took a detour to a rocky inlet.  We marveled at the sound of rocks rattling for a full minute as the waves receded to be reconstituted once again.  People, few and far between in awe of their environment immersed themselves in their chosen sport with a fervor.  It was winter, there was a break in the storm and the ocean was roaring.  Life in Oregon is magic.

Looks like a face – An Angel?

Snow Angel

“Snow shoeing?  In the snow?  I am escaping winter.  Why would I want to go to the snow?  They have feet of snow.” Joel exclaims in dismay.

“You have to.  What could be cooler than snow shoeing at Mt Rainier?  It’s a national park. Who wouldn’t want to do that?”  I replied. “Besides, we need our stamp.”  The good old passport stamp.  It’s a bit hokey but it gets you to the outer limits of parks and keeps you going when you might opt for less strenuous relaxation.

It snows at Mt Rainier over 100 feet of snow a year.  The record is a few inches shy of 120 feet in a single season.  It’s incredibly beautiful, rugged and an adventure in snow travel.  Chains required.  Road open 9-4pm.   Don’t be on the other side of the gate when they lock it or you better have a sleeping bag.

We hiked, saw hot pots, historical shelters and meadows of snow.   We photographed ice crystals.   We viewed the mountain glacier in its freshly painted white.  It was framed by the baby blue sky and stands of tall evergreens.  We headed up the mountain, chains attached.  Higher and higher we climbed, exclaiming as the snow walls grew ever taller.  We marveled where the road signs had been excavated from the banks.  There were few visitors, enough to feel safe but never overwhelmed.  We snow shoed the trail in isolation.  I made a snow angel and looked up to see an angel formed of snow in the tree.  It was sunny and mild, alone on the trail experiencing the grandeur all around.

Unforgettable experience.  The term that escaped my lips?  Profoundly simple and absolutely true, “Hello God” and “Thank you.”

I pray that no-one destroys our beautiful park system.  I promise to do what I can to honor the earth, to protect this beauty for my grandchildren.

We’re off to Seattle to pick up the Magic Bus and continue our Great Circle Tour.  Phase 1 saw us traveling from Michigan via the upper peninsula, across Canada through the Canadian Rockies to Squamish/Vancouver and then south to Seattle.  Along the way we visited family and friends, saw amazing lands and had an adventure or two.  

My intentions were grand when I returned home in late October.  I planned to build an amazing blog and spend quality at home time posting stories and photos of Phase 1 of the Great Circle Tour but life got in the way.  I focused on family, healing my politically bruised heart and on the enjoyment of holiday happenings.  I’ll play catch up later with pictures and tales of Phase 1 later.  For now it’s on to Phase 2.  Let the fun begin! 

We left the bus in storage at a lovely storage facility in Bothell, Washington.  We left most of our supplies, clothes, toys and tools in the bus when we returned home in October.  I was smart enough to take inventory on my smart phone of those items with the full intention of returning with only those in January.  Needless to say we returned with 5 suitcases/duffle bags and had to rent a car to transport our luggage.   

We had a lovely lunch with Yue and Julie.  The Peruvian Chicken was a great food choice.  It was wonderful to see them both.  It fills me with hope for a brighter tomorrow knowing such thoughtful, intelligent young people.  It’s thought provoking to think about the future of technology, energy and global business. 

Next we were off to spend the afternoon and evening with Emilie, Rick, Donna, David and the children.  I love my family and time with them is always a treat.  The kids are lively, curious and astute in their interaction with the world.  The adults were fun and engaging even as the Seahawks trounced upon the Lions.  Emilie prepared delicious food and drinks.  We talked west coast living, explored the future of 3D printing and the attributes of life in Finland.  We settled into bed early after a long day of travel and fun.