Pacific NW and Back.  April/May 2026

Beautiful day to hit the road.  Sad without Moreno.

Friday 4/17:  left OPH @ 9:15am, 65 degrees, sunny.  A beautiful day to travel.  No Moreno this time.  But he’s always in our hearts.

Mileage approx.  5800
Propane fill on Edinger $28.00
Official time:  10am on the road.
1st gas/diesel stop:  1:30pm Carpinteria, CA $8.19/gal 😳😳😳
$169.84, 20.7gal, 18.5 mpg

We got to McPrice Myers Vineyards

A great way to get the trip rolling.  Tasting at MM.  At 4pm.  Eldon had one flight tasting and we had a cheese plate with water.  Eldon has been a member here since forever.
Liz & Jason entertained us in the cellar then treated us to nice Italian dinner in Paso.  Much wine was drunk.
We went to bed at 11:30pm after sorting out challenges with starting the RV, turning on the water.

Saturday 4/18/26, up at 7:02am, left MM at 8am sunny, 56degrees.

Took surface streets to go to next stop, Pinnacles National Park.

Passed Lake Nacimiento and all the those memories of past trips.

Eldon was frustrated by the poor geological presentation of such a significant rock formation, just one sentence on a poster board and the ranger knew even less.  The point is that The Pinnacles are the identical suite of volcanic rocks as the Neenach Volcanics down by Tejon Ranch (Castaic) and have been transported nearly 200 miles northward by progressive displacements (earthquakes) on the San Andreas fault.  When first proposed in the 1950's the two geologists (Mason Hill and Tom Dibblee) were considered crack-pots.  Of course they were proven correct.  Mason Hill was one of Eldon's very first MS degree thesis advisors, until he died.  

We arrived at Elliston Vineyards, Harvest Host and settled in with a very luxurious wine tasting.  It was a Tea Time serving but we only ordered the cheese tray to go with our wines.  The facility was very elegant and the surroundings felt like we were in a movie.  

Gloria Victus, sculpture to honor the lost warriors.

Clara was particularly "taken" by an Asian couple, the female of which was dressed in a gaudy 1800's admirals outfit with wig, including a ton of makeup.  Her male partner spent the entire time taking photos and movies of her as she "ate" "drank" and "admired" the grounds, plants and flowers.  I guess we have seen our first, ever, influencer.  Sure influenced us to never see her again.

Of course there was wine tasting, and wine buying. 

One giant ostrich!!!!  They had several others.  

Eldon prepared a yummy meal of leftovers and we managed to get the TV to work on some channels.  It has not been easy to navigate this TV.  I can't find my Game show channel nor my usual Criminal Minds and Star Trek shows either (Eldon is not sad).  At least last night we found Law & Order!!!

Sunday  4/19/26, up at 8, left Elliston Vineyard at 9a, cloudy 59 degrees.

We continued our trip along HWY 1 and drove primarily on local surface streets.  We enjoy doing that way so we can see more of our country.  

Beautiful California Poppies.  

This was a welcomed find since it had amazing cheese and it's been here since 1865.  The oldest cheese makers in the USA.  

We bought some cheese to take along to share with the gang.

Arrived to Briceland Vineyards at 4:15pm. A very rustic vineyard. Another Harvest Host spot.  Had a brief wine tasting with Andrew, the winemaker/owner because he was trying to fix a broken waterline before the rains started.  Eldon liked (and of course bought) his Petite Sirah. Rain started in the early evening and all night.  It sounds nice and we relaxed reading too. 

A view from our kitchen.  

Another "master.  So at the beginning of the trip we took all the leftovers from OPH to use for dinners on the trip.  This night was leftover Machaca (eggs, shredded pork, onions, chilies) from the Filling Station.  When you add in the leftover hash browns and tortillas and an avocado, poof you have a dinner.  

Morning at Briceland after the rains.  This is his Petite Sirah vineyard.

Monday 4/20/26, up at 8a left at 9a, raining , 45 degrees!!!

Drove north along the Avenue of the Giants!  Beautiful!

Arrived at 3:15p to the next Camp spot which we passed and had to backtrack.  This is Retreat at Redwood Shores but it didn't quite feel like a "Retreat site".  Well, maybe depending on how you read "Retreat".  Lot of semi-permanent residents and abandoned trailers. 

Arrived finally at 3:45p, grey, raining, 55 degrees.  Variety of campers and socioeconomic financial levels.  

Along the way here we passed some beautiful sites.

Along HWY 1.  What a view!!!!

Carson Mansion, Eureka, CA.  A Private Club originally only for men.  (Not now:)

Do you need a piece of Redwood for your project???  Only one of many, and mostly larger, log piles.

This is NOT one of the bridges of Madison County, but rather Humboldt and one of many we crossed over the Eel River.

My 5 foot wing span only probably goes half way across.  Such giant trees are hard to imagine, and even this one is not the largest we saw, just the largest that Clara could get to.  The green vine-like growth on both sides of her are Poison Oak - which is everywhere here.

Raining along HWY 1 in the Redwoods.

This was such a fabulous ride.  Despite the rain. 

You have to visit this place someday.

                                            And the windshield wipers still worked.

Tuesday 4/21/26, I slept in till about 10am but Eldon was already up at around 9:00am.  Weather is not conducive to be outside.  Grey, rainy and mid 50’s.

Time to really work on the Blog.  I tried last night but failed😞😫.  I can see why I would not fare well in this climate.  Not much would get done.  

It has rained most of the day but the sun is actually breaking through at 4:30ish.  I'll go take a shower and change to fresh clothing after several days of doing sponge baths.  We can use our shower in the RV but we are not comfortable yet using it.  

I think I will call it quits for now with the Blog.  It would be good to send it out since some of you might want to know what we are up to and where:):)