...Carl G. Washburne State Park...

...the most beautiful state park in Oregon...I think...at least the prettiest one we stayed in...we separated from our traveling companions for a couple of days because there were not enough spaces and our rig was the smallest so we lucked out...just passed our campsite was a trail to the beach...an awesome 1/2 mile thru the rainforest to the beach...driving into the city of Florence we came across the sand dunes...I've never experienced sand blowing that hard...I did manage to make a sand angel, but ended up with sand everywhere...he he...I just fell in love with the Oregon coast...we had beautiful weather the entire time...we WILL be back....

...the Oregon Coast...

...I could not wait for the first morning on the coast...I was up and walking aound 7 am...the weather was a cool 58 degrees and not very windy...I decided not to take the camera because I planned on picking up driftwood and rocks...there were only two or three other people...I headed toward some huge rock formations about a mile down the beach...as I got close to them, I saw they were all covered with starfish...OMG..such beautiful colors and no camera...sooooo, I quickly turned and walked back and got my camera and Bill...awesome sight....

...gateway to the redwoods....

...we arrived in Willits, the gateway to the redwoods around 1 pm...quickly set up camp, unhooked the car and took off on Hwy 20 to Ft.Bragg and Mendocino...as soon as we began our winding 20 mph trip down the mountain we were into the beginning of the redwoods...not so big around but TALL...we were so glad we did not bring the motorhome...our little 33 miles took over an hour...the scenery was beautiful...we had not had contact with our friends since they left Travis AFB two days ago...we did not know the campground or even which town they were staying in...no cell phone service...we wanted to see the coast and Mendocino,anyway, so we thought we'd ride around and then head back to Willits and hope to hear from them later...driving into Mendocino was like driving into a movie scene of little cottage houses with huge gardens of flowers along the coastline...so pretty...lots of shops...and who do we see walking the streets...our friends!!!!....we hooked up again and made plans to head north to the Redwoods State Park tomorrow...unfortunate for them, they have to drive the motorhomes back over Hwy 20 to Willits...

...the rock....

...OMG...this was an awesome tour...I can't believe I haven't posted since the middle of June...we have been on the go nonstop...I will try to go back and catch up little by little...pictures cannot begin to show the beauty in this country...from the Saguaros to the Grand Canyon to Sedona to the balloon ride to the San Francisco Pier 39 to Napa Valley to Alcatraz.....see how far behind I am....here's a few of yesterday's pics from Alcatraz....when we arrived on the island we were gathered together and given a brief 200 year history of the island from the military, to the prison, to the Indian take over and now the National park ownership...we were lead up the hill to receive audio headsets to take us on a self guided tour....it was so cool....the sounds and narration was just like you were actually there...the clanking of the cell doors and the guards talking....there were 14 separate attempts to escape...

5 of those men were never heard from or seen...presumed drowned...three escaped from holes they made using their spoons to enlarge the area behind the ventilator vent...they climbed to the top of the cell block and onto the roof....




upon entering the system on the island, the inmates are given showers and issued clothes....
the ride back on the boat gave us a wonderful view of San Francisco.....we then walked to Fishermans Wharf and bought some sourdough bread at the Boudin Bakery...oh, the aromas from the ovens...we walked on down to Hyde Street to try and catch a cable car....lines were too long so we walked across the street to the famous Buena Vista and had one of their delicous Irish Coffee....hit the spot on a chilly day....walked a little farther to catch the F trolley, then the Bart, then the train back to Fairfield....a long GREAT day....