March 2nd
– March 9th 2014
SUNDAY, MARCH 2nd
2014
(Phoenix, AZ – Bakersfield, CA: 498 miles)
We left by 7.10 am, rainy and cloudy day. We were
leaving Phoenix, Arizona and heading towards next (and last)
adventure. Nothing really special, we drove I-10 before so there was
nothing surprising. Just driving and driving. Cross border to
California. The only detour and fun we planned was to see Joshua Tree
National Park. Visitor center, few postcards, map of the park,
sandwich. The initial part of the park was boring and there was
really nothing to see – it was a desert. It took a while to get to
the area that was interesting: Joshua trees, rocks, and hills. As we
discovered the busy and pretty part of the park was on the northern
side (we came from south). We made few stops along the road to enjoy
the landscape and take few pictures. We took three shorter walks and
it was really amazing landscape. It was kind of funny to drive from
south where the park was just plain and boring to this area with so
many Joshua trees and incredible rock formations. Skull. Cap Rock.
Arch. There were some people but it was not too bad. Our last
(attempted) walk did not happened because we did not like the number
of people already on the trail or ready to go. It was simple (longer)
loop around the rocks. Well, time was passing by and we had to keep
moving. We were really happy that we stopped in this park because it
was (the northern part) really pretty and interesting. After leaving
Joshua, we stayed on smaller roads all the way to Bakersfield. As far
as I remember there was nothing really interesting. Just tedious
driving. Few towns. Huge fields of wind turbines. Some farming.
Bakersfield – nothing really appealing. We were also just stopping
for a night, which was fine.
MONDAY, MARCH 3rd
2014
(Bakersfield, CA – Redding, CA: 449 miles)
Leaving Bakersfield relatively early – cloudy, noisy,
and ugly. Wrong turn onto the freeway – we had to turn around.
There is really not much appeal to Bakersfield. Highway 99 going
north to Sacramento. About five hours of driving. There was nothing
really interesting. We passed the “hippie Oregon car”. We passed
the same car the day before just after Joshua Tree Park. Kind of
funny. A lot of farming. Orchards. Fields. Cows. A lot of signs
saying “No water, no jobs.” Rain or drizzle part of the drive.
Mostly flat and sad looking landscape. Sacramento at noon. We were
visiting J.'s family. We spent there three hours and it was really
great to see them. They are older and they said that they enjoyed our
visit as well. Another three hours of driving to Redding. We stayed
on local roads and highways. Shortly after leaving Sacramento we
encountered rain and it stayed with us for the rest of the drive.
Again quite boring landscape. And rain – it made driving kind of
unpleasant and difficult. It was getting dark when we arrived in
Redding. Motel – a bit strange place, the reception was in
traditionally looking building, our place was a bit back on the
river, round three story tall older building. It was fine. I had to
do midterm for my economics class – did not like it. Rain and rain.
TUESDAY, MARCH 4th
2014
(Redding, CA – Portland, OR: 417 miles)
Cloudy and gray looking morning. I-5 and heading north.
We discovered that we did not drive along this stretch of the freeway
and it was actually pretty. Rivers. Forests. Not many cities or
settlements. Mt. Shasta – town and mountain. We were worried that
we will not see anything, there was so much fog and we assumed that
the mountain was behind it. We were taking scenic detour, leaving I-5
in town called Weed. When we were leaving interstate we saw this
incredible image of Mt. Shasta just standing in front of us like a
majestic queen.
The view was breathtaking. It was probably the most
amazing experience on this part of the trip. Heading to Klamath Falls
(with no real falls). It was pretty scenic road. A lot of forests.
Some lakes. Mountains around us (with very limited amount of snow).
The town was smaller and not very interesting. We were also kind of
running out of time so we had to keep moving. Large valley. Large
lake. Prescribed forest fire. Bunch of small sites visible from the
car (lakes, forest, hills in the back) but nothing super interesting
or close by. It would be great place to visit in summer (there are
volcanic parks, lava caves, crater lake). We were on the way down
from the mountains (heading to Eugene, Oregon) when we passed the
sign for Salt Creek Waterfall. We passed it, J. found on her phone
that it is 2nd tallest in Oregon, so we turned around and
drove back. There was no parking (the road was closed for winter) but
another car was parked by the gate. So we did the same, saw people
coming back and they said it was great and less than half a mile down
the snowy road. Walk. Breezy. Pretty. Parking by the fall. Short walk
and the magnificent view of the falls. Definitely worth it. Go back,
drive, drive, and drive to Portland. Nothing interesting or special.
More traffic. We arrived around 5:48 pm. Unload the car (some) and
than just enjoy the rest of the day. Two kids – running around like
two happy campers. It was great to be in Portland again.
WEDNESDAY –
SUNDAY, March 5th – March 9th
Portland, OR
5th:
Easy and lazy day. Rainy and cloudy. Early afternoon drive to
Portland. Powell's books. Small walk in the city. Annoying heavy
rain. Wait for J.'s friend A. Early Lebanese dinner (good for them,
not really good for me). Drive to A.'s place and spend the rest of
the day (until about 9) talking and having fun. It was nice to see
her after more than a year (J, I did not see her for three or so
years). Drive in dark back to the house.
6th:
Rainy. Cloudy and gray. Some practical stuff and errands. Early
afternoon, with almost no rain, short drive to the nearby state park
and nice walk. It was really nice to be back in “northeast” green
space. Few creeks, many trees with a lot of moss and ferns. It was
like green fairy tale (almost, even though the trees had no leaves).
Hanging out with our friends (and their two children) and than
heading to Portland for a concert of J.'s friend. It was interesting
experience and we had fun. Back in the house by midnight or so.
7th:
So far Portland gave us a lot of rain and clouds. It is not too bad
as we were planning to visit our friends in the area and not really
do any sightseeing. This day was different, it got somewhat sunny and
pretty. It was a big difference to see everything green and mossy –
compared to Phoenix. Slower morning. Two kids at school. We did some
smaller things (and driving around). Feeding ducks in the nearby
river. Farm walk (many spring flowers were already blooming). Oregon
City and municipal elevator (there is an operator all the time).
Snack in nice and older restaurant. To go sushi (early) dinner. Park
close by, nice meal out followed by the walk to the river. The
walkway was flooded at one point. Back to house and way too much fun
in the evening and night.
8th:
Relaxing and quiet day in the house. Rain. As intended we were
visiting with our friends.
9th:
Sunday. Our last day in Portland, Oregon. Easy. Rainy and cloudy.
Quiet. J. met her friend in Portland. Load the car. Enjoy the company
of our friends and their kids.
