The Road to Ridgecrest

I can hardly believe its been almost three weeks since we started our journey down to Ridgecrest. It feels like its been forever and no time at all. Does that make any sense?

So I have so much stuff to write about that when I sit down to start putting something together I just get overwhelmed. I have so many pictures and stories from not only the last three weeks but also from the MONTH before we lef. You know, back when I became a magician and POOF I was gone from blogging.

Bad News: we are going to Albuquerque this weekend (YAY!) for a visit which includes two days of driving 12 hours to get there plus a weekend full of lots of family, fun, food and fiesta. The balloon fiesta that is. Why is this bad news you ask (see? I knew you all were smart) Well, because that just means that I am going to have even MORE pictures, stories etc…to share. And since I’m somehow not finding any time to get all this stuff out…its just taking me forev! UGH.

Good news: I have tons of pictures and stories. AND Paul will be going back to work soon which to me = no more distractions during the day. He IS cute and all so when it comes down to it, I guess I would rather look at him than the computer screen. Sue me.

So I have decided we will start here and see where it goes. Hopefully it will go to good places.

I kind of left off with us loading our trailer and leaving town at 4pm on Thursday Sep 13th. A full 26 hours later than we were supposed too (which isn’t all that bad in light of what we dealt with).

From there we got gas and then hit the freeway down to Oregon. We were staying with Paul’s parents that night.

There is this big bridge that you cross and right on top of it you go from Washington to Oregon.

This was where this picture came from. I WAS driving thus the blur. I know I know….I really need to practice my driving and picture taking skillz.

The next morning Guinness had his breakfast

made sure that he had a comfortable spot in the car

And then we headed down to Crescent City, CA for our second night on the road, first night in a hotel.

On the way we stopped for lunch at one of our favorite places

By now for some reason it was Hot, Hot, HOT. When we got to Grant’s Pass, this was going on outside.

Then we started driving through one of the most beautiful tree lined roads and we saw some HUGEMONGOUS redwood trees. They were so amazing and beautiful. We didn’t stop to get out and look closer at them because we were trying to get to Crescent City before dinner, BUT we did stop for this!

For some reason I have like NO pictures of Crescent City. It was a pretty small little town and the hotel was by far the worst out of all of the ones we stayed at, but for the size of the city it was totally fine. I did get a pic of the place we ate dinner at and the map they had in their lobby. Since I am fascinated with maps, I of course stared at it for an unusually long time and took a picture. People must think I am strange.

Day 3- Crescent City to San Francisco

On our way out of Crescent City we went through more of the redwood forrest. I could drive through those all day….

This is also where we came across this

You can’t make this stuff up.

Drive, drive, drive some more. Then we drove across this.

Yep that is the Golden Gate in case you couldn’t tell. That is NOT our UHaul.

I have like a million pics of San Fran so that will have to be a post of its own. I know, I shouldn’t have told you…now you are all excited AND mad b/c you have to wait. Sorry it is what it is. I will try to be snappy.

Day 5- San Francisco to Santa Barbara

This was our awesome drive down the Pacific Coast Highway or the 1. But first we drove into Maren’s hometown and had lunch at one of her favorite places- Chipotle! Sadly it was kind of spur of the moment and I didn’t get to say hello in person. Hopefully someday soon!

With our bellies full of delicious Chipotle we headed down the beautiful and windy (as in back and forth not blowing wind. They are spelled the same and I couldn’t figure out how to get across one vs the other. shhheeessh English.) PCH and tried to keep our lunch down.

After all that driving we ended up in beautiful, beautiful Santa Barbara. Wowza! This place is amazing. I’ve never been there before and even driving through town on our way to the hotel I decided I want to live there.

Day 6- Santa Barbara to Ridgecrest

After one very short night in Santa Barbara we headed out and made our way to Ridgecrest. This drive was shorter than any of the other days clocking in at just over 4 hours instead of the 6+

We rolled into town in the afternoon on Tuesday September 18th.

to be continued….(not really I just couldn’t just leave it like that.)

Ever been to any of these places? Thoughts? 

Tagged as: crescent city, driving, lots of driving, maple valley to ridgecrest, moving, san francisco, santa barbara, travel