Blogging under the Redwoods

Right now, we are connected to the internet, blogging under the redwoods of Samuel P Taylor State Park, about an hour north of the Bay. It is a lovely day, filled with sunshine. Right now there is a slight breeze as we sit in sunlight filtering through these huge trees.

Earlier today we took the ferry back from Angel Island, got lunch in San Rafael (the best mexican food we have had in a long time!) and headed over here. Tomorrow, we move up the coast and enter Oregon. We are having a great time, but Nicole is anxious to see Portland. Anyhow, our camp site is adorable... a grove of big redwoods up against a creek. A couple of pictures for your enjoyment and then I need to run as the computer is running out of battery and our food won't cook itself!

Angel Island

One of the things we were looking forward to the most was camping on Angel Island in the middle of SF Bay. This island is near Alcatrez island, but is much much bigger. You take the ferry from Tiburon and then you can hike or bike in. Then at about 3:30 everyone else has to go home and you have the island to yourself. We took our bikes which we nearly decided was a mistake. However, once we got there, it was very worth it... such a surreal feeling to be so isolated yet to be able to see panoramic views of the Bay area. We hiked to the top, saw several deer, Justin saw a big buck, lots of pretty birds and lots of great views.

Anyhow, Justin says this is a MUST DO in the bay area. Even if you do not want to camp over night, you should go for the day views of the area.

And for your enjoyment, 2 pictures of Justin and I loaded down with our gear wih the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

Hello from Half Moon Bay

After considerable trouble understanding AT&T, I sitting on a picnic table downloading pictures and blogging while Justin takes down the tent in Half Moon Bay. Yesterday we took the Pacific Coast Hwy up from LA, stopping at Herst Castle.



Today, we took a ride down the bike path to the place we married nearly 5 years ago... didn't have a camera on me, but I'll post one of the bay for your enjoyment. Then we were watching the sea otters play just down from the bluff where our tent was set up. Perfect day thus far!

El Morro

From last week, in New Mexico, a few picture from El Morro National Monument. There are all types of writtings on the wall from people passing through






and Anasazi Ruins.





Very much worth the small detour if you are already on I-40 in the western portion of New Mexico.

Hello from Oklahoma City

We've stopped in Oklahmoa City to eat lunch and take a look at the Memorial. I'm writting from a table inside a Mexican resturant in their "Bricktown."


On Petit Jean Point... Arkansas River behind us. (There were spectacular views, however quite a bit of pollution even in the morning? There was a big plant of sorts, maybe coal electric generation that could be seen in the distance).



The memorial in OK City was very taseteful and touching... I imagine it brings as much peace to the families of the victims as one could after a tradegy like this. The reflecting pool is where the street used to be.




The survival tree... a great old Elm that survived the blast.



And the reason for the memorial... on the site of the building, each chair represents someone who lost their lives, including the half size chairs for the children. Simple, sweet, and approrpiate.

Columbus to Las Vegas

The first leg of the trip will be Columbus to Las Vegas. We are not taking the most direct route for that would not allow J to check off 3 of his 4 remaining lower 48 states. Instead, we will drive to Memphis and then take I-40 across to Flagstaff and then jog up to Las Vegas. This allows him to justify hitting Mississippi, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. The fourth is Oregon. Obviously he will be able to check that one off.

August 16th: We spent the day packing and taking care of a few last minute things here in Columbus


August 17th: Columbus to Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas. Approximate mileage ~ 800 (Due to the fact we need to go through Memphis, TN so we can dip into Mississippi).


August 18th: Petit Jean State Park to Santa Rosa State Park in New Mexico. Approximate mileage ~ 700.


August 19th: Drive to Flagstaff. Approximate Mileage ~ 450 (although we may detour to see El Mapas and El Moro National Monuments) Meet with friends who recently moved to AZ for their first post-law school job. Camp with them.


August 20th: Drive from Flagstaff to Las Vegas. Mileage=? (Takes about 3-4 hours, depending on the traffic over Hoover (or Boulder as some people call it) Dam)




Now, if I had a lot of time, I would find nice links for all of those places and draw some sort of map of our route. But, I don't.... at least not if I want to make it onto the road tomorrow morning by 8am.

Welcome

We are off and running on our cross country journey... Tomorrow marks 5 beautiful weeks before school and long-distant relationship life starts in earnest.

Many people have asked us to keep in touch and send pictures along the way; this blog will be an attempt at accommodating such requests. Tomorrow, I'll try and get an itinerary posted. After that it will probably be more pictures than text.

As I've mentioned, we are camping a great deal of the way, so the updates may be sporadic at best. (Although many California State Parks have WiFi!!!) But, keep checking back... you never know what we will find along the way!