Harvest Vacation

For spud harvest, we decided to take a vacation. We left on Saturday, September 27, 2008 and headed for California. We made it to Winnemucca, Nevada that night. The next day finished our drive to Rocklin, California which is just outside of Sacramento. There we stayed with Kim's brother's family. While there we went to Sutter's Mill (where gold was discovered in 1848). We also went to old town Sacramento where we took a horse & buggy ride around the cobblestone streets. After that we went to see the Sacramento LDS Temple in Folsom. That night we went and watched our nephew's soccer game in Aurora. The next day we went into Oakland to see Frej's friends, William, Shayne, and Patrick. We had a great time, also, visiting the Oakland LDS Temple and seeing the beautiful gardens and grounds.

After leaving Rocklin, we headed over the Bay Bridge and stopped at the Golden Gate State Park to take pictures, buy kitsch, and walk over the bridge. The kids were scared and didn't want to walk across the entire bridge, so we went half way and came back. Then we drove over it and headed up the coast on Highway 1. We stopped at Stinson Beach and let the kids play in the sand and in the ocean -- it was the first time they had ever been in the ocean. We collected shells, saw sand scuptures, and touched a jellyfish that had washed up on the beach.

After we left there, we again headed up the coast north toward Oregon. Unfortunately, we didn't get very far when a rain/wind storm hit. The road was very windy and the storm didn't help us any. We finally found a room that wasn't too expensive in Guerneville. The room was small with only one bed, but we all slept pretty well until the drunks came back from the bar and made a lot of noise. Frej kept us safe, though, if you know what I mean.

The next morning we headed out again. The first stop was at "Drive-thru tree park" where they have carved out a redwood tree and you can drive your car through it. The kids loved it. We took pictures and tried to circle a tree, but of course, we didn't come close. We stopped that evening for a late lunch/early dinner at Samoa Beach and ate at the Samoa House which is the old cafeteria at the Weyerheiser plant. It is family-style dining that is all you can eat -- very good food. Then we went to the beach again to play. The breakers coming in off the ocean were higher than at the other beach, but the kids played in the sand and were more successful picking up shells on this beach. Then we found another jellyfish on the beach that we "played" with. We headed out after sunset and ended up in Crescent City, California spending the night. The next morning we checked out the lighthouse -- it is only accessible at low tide -- the rest of the time the walk way is under the ocean.

We headed out to Oregon next. We had to head over to Highway 5 to make some time to Albany because Kim's aunts were expecting us for a huge family dinner. We made it with just a few minutes to spare. We spent that evening getting reaquainted with family, and Kim did a Scentsy party while we were there. Frej and the kids got to visit his father after not seeing him for 2 and 1/2 years. Kim's Aunts also have a park behind their house with water and LOTS of ducks. We spent lots of time feeding them and playing, too.

After leaving Oregon, we headed north toward Seattle. We stopped in Portland to see the Portland LDS temple, then got stuck in traffic on a bridge because of an accident. We finally made it to the Seattle area to visit Frej's cousins and Aunt & Uncle. While there we went to one of the piers to have lunch, then we took the kids on a ferry ride and then let them play on the beach again. While there we visited the lighthouse and found a starfish that we brought home to dry out. On the way home, we stopped at the Seattle temple for a photo op. The next day we went into Seattle and went to the Seattle Aquarium, where we spent SEVERAL hours. We even got to see an octopus eating. Then we went to have dinner. Frej LOVED the fresh seafood!!!! We headed home and Frej and Kim left the kids with Uncle Carl & Aunt Marilyn and took in a session at the Seattle Temple.

Unfortunately, all good things must end, so we finally headed home, but not without stopping to see the salmon ladders and then stopping at Snoqualmie Falls with Frej's cousin Kathy and her hubby Colin. We stopped in Royal City and picked up apples at Kim's school principal's family orchard, then drove late to spend the night in Caldwell, Idaho -- we HAD to spend the night in Idaho!!!! The next day we headed home, stopping at Malad Gorge to see the falls there. About Twin Falls, we hit heavy snow and had to slow our pace. Burley had many inches of snow and we saw slide offs and accidents. Finally, though, we made it home -- aaaaahhhhh what a joy and a relief. We had a wonderful time, but it is always nice to come home!