3M -- What is it?

Mt Albert

Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing…NOT for me!  It is Mystifying Mountain Mirages and traveling around Oregon and Washington is good for these images--a mountain top floating in the sky. Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, Mount Albert, and Mount Rainier--all beautiful and peaceful 3m’s.  Curiosity got the best of me and I explored two of them—Mount St. Helens and Mount Hood—although not mirages, they are mystical and beautiful.

 

Mount St Helens

 

Highlights of my Mount St Helen visit included the Ape Caves and Windy Ridge. The Ape Caves, first explored in 1952 by a scout troop referred to as Mt St Helens Apes, are lava tubes created by hot molten lava flowing underground 2,000 years ago leaving behind a 13,042’ hallow tube. If you have been following my journey, you may recall other cave explorations (Lewis & Clark Caverns in Montana and Lehman Caves in Great Basin National Park in Nevada). However, this cave experience was a little different as there was no guide...yes, I ventured down into the Ape Caves alone. Why you ask? Not sure other than curiosity. Yes, a little nerve-wrecking as it was pitch black but, no fear the cave was inventoried by the USFS…

 

and I was prepared with my head lamp, extra batteries and satellite spot tracker… 

 

HA!  What good is a satellite spot tracker underground?

Anyway, there is something mystical about climbing down into a cave alone with a flashlight not knowing what will appear before you. It’s so dark even what one sees with the help of a flashlight does not appear real. I did capture a few photos…click here to see pics.

Quick, do you remember where you were May 18, 1980? Well, Volcanologist David Johnston transmitted his last report that morning "Vancouver! Vancouver! This is it!" and Mount St Helens blew an 80,000’ eruption column and the north face collapsed. A drive up Windy Ridge brings about what I remember…video of ash thicker than clouds and lava flowing and covering anything in its path and WOW…40 years later, mystical vistas. Vistas where one can stand and imagine the blast…areas of leveling, blown down trees, floating logs…amazing! Interesting to see beauty where there once was terror and destruction.  The mystics of life…click here to take in some of the views.

And then there is Mount Hood; the highest point in Oregon, another active volcano, the crown jewel of the Columbia River Gorge and home to the historic Timberline Lodge.

Quick…what movie included the mysterious Timberline Lodge?  Bwahaha…

A mystical place on Mount Hood is found at Romona Falls. A 7-mile hike pre-empted with spectacular views along the Sandy River and Romona Creek culminating at Romana Falls...WOW, what magnificent mystical beauty! Click here for additional pictures of Ramona Falls hike and Mount Hood.  

 

 

 

  

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”

                                                 John Muir

I tried...

Well folks, as Portland requested, I tried my best to help Keep Portland Weird…let’s face it, my presence alone helped!

Portland is an interesting area as it has much to offer from city life to mountain life to coast life all within a short distance.  Many of my Venzaliner adventures have been in the country; however, this one was enjoyed in the city where I spent two weeks with my niece (awesome fun Sara!) exploring the city and attempting to

 

We accomplished it; click on the links below to check out the views:

The Portland Jazz Festival complete with jazz tunes on the green, complemented by some tasty food and wine, fireworks over the river with Sara, Ashleigh and Pablo, and just watching Portland weird including the Silverman…oh, he was closing up shop here, but it was a great day!

A visit downtown Portland isn’t complete without a visit to Powell’s Bookstore…WOW, that’s a little weird…over 4 million books for sale…people watching and book reading galore. You name it, they’ve got it!

Ah yes and don’t forget the Portland Saturday Market…on Sunday of course.  Yea, that’s weird but we were busy Saturday so Sunday it was. People watching at its finest…didn’t take any people watching pictures, you’ll have to check that out yourself some day!

Eating gluten and egg free…since Sara was blessed with food allergies, I teamed up with the Internet and Trader Joe’s to cook dinner on the days she worked.  Pizza crust can be made without egg and flour…all you need is Bob's Red Mill gluten free pizza mix and  ground flax seed...made a delicious  Prosciutto pizza with Walla Walla sweet onions, bosc pears and arugula.  Hey, I learned that almond flour is delicious and Sara’s mojito’s and blueberry crisp…YUM!!

Friday evenings we strolled down to Tualatin and enjoyed Concerts on the Commons;  accompanied by our favorite beverage and a blanket, we relaxed under the beautiful blue sky to tunes from the 70s one evening and Beatle tunes the next.  Yes, Disco Fever was a little weird, but Hey Jude…gotta love it!

A trip to the Columbia River Gorge and Multnomah Falls for a little history, hiking, taking in the views and wine tasting made for a great day.

We stopped and smelled the roses at the International Rose Test Garden (the oldest continuously operated public rose test garden in the US)…a little weird to see that many people walking around sniffing flowers! But oh were they beautiful…

 

Needless to say,  I encourage Portland to stay weird…awesome place to visit and Sara, be forewarned…I’ll be back!  Thanks for everything. 

 

It’s time to journey on, Keep Portland Weird and remember...

Boots and Saddle Time!

Time to strap on the boots and mount the saddle…oh wait, today’s not the day to mount the saddle but rather tackle the arduous climb of Saddle Mountain in northwest Oregon with my niece Sara.

 

What a hike…the summit is only 3,283’; however, the 2.5 mile trail rises 1,603 feet in elevation and the trail is rather rocky and rigorous. For safety, a good portion of the upper basalt rock trail is covered with  chain-link fencing.  They say on a clear day one can see the Columbia River, the Pacific shoreline, the Cascades, Mt St. Helens, Mt Ranier and Mt  Hood. Although the clarity was not quite there, the panoramic view was awesome and the hillsides were filled with wildflowers galore. 

 

Click here to enjoy pics from the hike…However, as the Oregon State Parks & Recreation Department says, "The view from the top of the mountain is one that cannot be described ... it must be experienced.” And that’s the truth. However, I can share that it feels like you are on top of the world! 

 

The Meandering Drive

The Oregon coast…where the road meanders, the rocks stand firm, the fog rolls in, the tide rolls on, and the horizon is endless. My immediate thoughts: crashing solitude. How can something so loud be so quiet and solemn? 

The drive along Highway 101 winds along the coast with countless vistas and abundant bridges.

That's a long way down!

 

...a long way across!

 A stop at the Sea Lion Caves was interesting and informative. Rather fascinating to see that many sea lions in one place; however, the stench in a few places was more than I cared for…glad I’m not a sea lion J  Click here for more pics from the caves.

and a lot of sea lions!

 

Stayed at Harris Beach and South Beach State Parks with both gave time to get sand between the toes, breathe in the ocean air and enjoy a few beach sunsets.

Chair and a glass of wine...ahh!

 

Click the links below for additional pics on

• Bridges
• Sea Lions
• Sunsets
• Coast by day

Time to journey on and enjoy more Orygun!

Ageless Beauty!

 

 

The beauty of aging is transparent along California’s north coast amongst the redwoods. Words cannot describe and pictures cannot present the peace, grandeur and majesty one experiences while standing amongst the planet’s tallest trees. Amid these trees, my overall feeling…I am just an insignificant speck!

Click here to enjoy some pictures of the ageless beauty of these trees; however, to truly appreciate the magnificence of these trees, a personal visit is a must!

Along with these pictures, I leave you with these words from John Steinbeck, the author of Travels with Charley--one of the books that inspired the Venzaliner journey!  

 

“The redwoods, once seen, leave a mark or create a vision that stays with you always. No one has ever successfully painted or photographed a redwood tree. The feeling they produce is not transferable. From them comes silence and awe. It's not only their unbelievable stature, nor the color which seems to shift and vary under your eyes, no, they are not like any trees we know, they are ambassadors from another time.”

― John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley: In Search of America

A Unique and Rare Jug Handle

On to  Jug Handle Creek along the California coastline; a unique spot on the map near Mendocino that holds a rare natural phenomenon—an ecological staircase composed of five terraces created over the last 500,000 years by geographical updrift and erosion. 

 

Not only was the area unique, but the campsite was unique too—Jug Handle Creek Farms, a nonprofit nature education center that uses lodging (a 1870s Victorian farmhouse, cabins and campground) to support its mission. Although overcast and rainy, the quaint little out-of-the-way campsite certainly gave way to a few quiet days of exploration and hiking the Jug Handle Creek Trail.

Jug Handle Creek Farmhouse

Pathway to campsite

The hideaway spot!

Click here to enjoy some photos of the Jug Handle Creek Area.

 

 



Click here to view a short video trailer on The Story of Jug Handle.

 

“Every one of us has in him a continent of undiscovered character.

Blessed is he who acts the Columbus to his own soul.”

                                       – Author Unknown

 

 

No Wining Here...

 

Wait, maybe there should be an “h” in wining.. 

Time to squeeze some grapes!

No wining here? Well, maybe a little.  It would be a sin to visit wine country and not partake in wining.  From Napa to Mendocino, the vineyards are endless, the roads are winding and the hills are picturesque.  Stopped at a few of my fav’s, Chateau Montelena, Chimney Rock, Frogs Leap and Clos de bos…oh who am I kidding, they are all my fav’s!

Love the ivy...would be a little tough to grow on an aliner!

No whining here? Well, maybe a little. Did you know there is more than wine in the Valley?  Bothe-Napa Valley State Park offered a different kind of California wine country experience.  The Venzaliner camped out amongst the redwoods and firs in this great little hideaway campground between St. Helena and Calistoga where a phone call and $1 provided transportation to Calistoga J! While the Venzaliner rested, I took to my feet for a hike up Ritchey Canyon to Coyote Peak and this is where the whining comes in…great trails; however, atop Coyote Peak by recommendation of a State Park volunteer  was a view of the valley.  This is it…

Beautiful, but not quite the view I was looking for...oh well, great exercise!

Oh, and then since it was a warm afternoon and the sweatshirt was a little much, upon removing it I heard a noise in the leaves. Not able to see anything (no pun intended), I ventured on a few miles down the trail where I had an “ah ha” moment…my eyeglasses were hooked on the neck of the sweatshirt. Yep, I hope the critters of Bothe-Napa are able to see better!

 

However, there were some beautiful sights along the trail…

 

What’s my favorite winery? Too many to list; however, my favorite wine town is…aaahhh, Calistoga, where my two favorite things are plentiful…spas and wine. I could certainly live in that town, can live in that town, but probably won’t live in that town; however, this stop in the journey filled my soul. Until next time, I’ll continue to enjoy more wining with less whining while I stop and smell the roses! Hope you do too...time to journey on!



Rob Peter Pay Paul...

Today was one of those days where things don’t always go right; however, it was good for a chuckle…or maybe more.

After the stupendous beauty of Yosemite, the Venzaliner made its way in search of propane. Ending up parked next to a propane pump at an ARCO station in Oakdale CA, I checked my voicemail and e-mail before tending to the real matter at hand.  First mistake…when you exit the vehicle, make sure you have your keys.  Yes, it happened…I locked my keys in the car.  No problem, the spare key is under the front wheel well…not after 18,000+ miles.  No fear, Good Sam is only a phone call away and like Uncle Sam, he knows where you are! Good Sam will be here within the hour; plenty of time to get propane...then again, maybe not.

Did you know ARCO only takes cash or debit card? Well, now you know!

Second mistake…always carry emergency cash or at least know your PIN number to your credit card (or maybe even carry your debit card). Enter Peter and Paul or rather Eshaan (“E”) and Hakeesh (“H”). Jake Rohde, where are you? You would be able to interpret this for me! Here’s the short story…

E: “Sorry, no take credeet cawd only cash or debeet cawd”

J: “I don’t have cash or debit card, only credit card; will you take a check”

E defers to H

H: “NOOOO check…only cash or debeet cawd. Use macheen ober dar”

Bubble thought…J: Hmm, am I talking to a machine or people? Machine over there?  What the heck?

Bubble thought…E&H: Who is this woman…doesn’t have cash or debit card?

J: “Sorry guys, I don’t have a PIN number for my credit card to get cash. My apologies, long story, but my keys are locked in my car, I don’t have any cash, debit card or PIN number for my credit card. I didn’t know you only took cash or debit card; if so, I wouldn’t have filled the propane tanks. It’s 8:30pm and I don’t have any way to get cash. 

H: “You pay cash or debeet cawd”

J: “I understand that; however, I don’t have either. What do I do? You want to take the propane back?” (a little chuckle)

H: (scoffs) “Can’t take back. No way get back. We take tanks”

J: (LOL) “You can’t take my tanks, those are mine…only the propane is yours”

H: “Only take cash or debeet cawd. No pay we call cops”

J: (shrug shoulders) “Guess you have to call the cops because I don’t have any cash or debit card, you don’t take check or credit card, and I’m not going to give you my tanks”

Bubble thought…J: Not sure what the cops are going to do…It’s not like I don’t want to pay for it…only in CA…

Bubble thought…E&H: Is this lady for real?  Only in CA…

H: “Have ideeah. You go Eshaan to gas station down street feeelll his tank. Eshaan pay me cash”

J: Bubble thought…Enter Rob…”Okay,  that could work.” ROFL…(fill, right?!) “How much is the propane?

H: “No just feeellll tank”

J: “Yes, I feeellll tank…need to know how much to feeellll tank…what does the propane cost?” (Oh my, I’m starting to talk like them and I definitely don’t want to feel E’s tank!)

E: “Hakeesh, let me do dis”

H: “Just need money for propane”

E: “Propane is $34.33” (E waves his hand to follow him)

E&J: Exit store….E&J, isn’t that brandy?  I could use some right now!

E: Gas station down dar..you ride wit me or meyt me dare?

J: Since my keys are locked in my car, I either walk or ride with you.  At this point, I feel like we are best friends…besides, you already know I don’t have any cash so if you mug me all you will get is a credit card without a PIN number… J

E: “I have half tank so will feeelll wit premium because regular don’t cost dat much.”

J: “No problem, I guess we just have to charge $34.33.”

Eshaan (name changed to protect the innocent), polite young man, drives across traffic and down a block to Valero where we get out of his car and the Valero dude is sweeping outside and says, “Hey (with a weird look), what’s up?”

E: Laughs…”Long story…just gettin’ gas”

On the way back to ARCO, Eshaan shared how he didn’t fill his gas tank full today because his girlfriend was going to take his car to the city tomorrow and she would pay for the gas and now he has to pay $34.33 for premium gas that he didn’t want. I commented…Eshaan, just don’t have your girlfriend pay the $34.33 to Hakeesh, that could get real confusing.

WOW…all I could think is I just robbed Peter to pay Paul; however, propane at $3+ per gallon was highway robbery too! Is that an eye for an eye?

Yes, Good Sam arrived and I jumped in the Venzaliner and skedaddled adding two items to tomorrow’s to do list…key and cash!

Ah Ha...Sunshine Flows!



Love the reflection and colors of this view!



One of the most difficult parts of a Venzaliner Journey is deciding where to go. Of course, I have my own list of places to see; however, talking to people and waiting for that “ah ha” moment in their voice tells of other places that should be considered.  Throughout Nevada and California, the “ah ha” moments repeatedly suggested Yosemite. Although a little south of where I was going, my campfire buddies Richard & Hoy suggested at least a drive-by…and that’s what I did. 

Leaving Tahoe, the Venzaliner headed south around the lake, over Monitor Pass, down Highway 395 and into Yosemite from the east. What can I say…spectacular vistas, gushing waterfalls, massive granite and breathless views…yes, a must see!

Click here for Yosemite drive-by photos.

John Muir stated it best,

 

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.

Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine into trees.”

Let the sunshine flow and the journey continue…

 

Does it ever end?

Yes it does ,and it looks like this…

 

Highway 50 in Nevada, ends on the west side of the state at Lake Tahoe; oh what a beautiful sight! So beautiful, that I hung out at Lake Forest Campground in Tahoe City for three nights. Well, the campground was nothing special; however, it was a quaint little spot with great neighbors and a short walk to a beautiful view of the lake…refreshing, revitalizing, and rejuvenating.  The reward for driving 408 miles on the Loneliest Road!



Chair in place, book in hand!

Ahh, the lake!

 

Ribeye and veges on the grill!

 

Alllmmoost full!

The Venzaliner Journey has been filled with newfound friends and Tahoe City added four: Cookie, Wes, Richard & Hoy. 

Cookie, my neighbor from Hawaii who is a part-time resident of the campground, was gracious enough to share happenings in the area. The best one, where to get a shower…”take your quarters, park at the Post Office and walk into the State Park; they have great showers”…and that they do!

Wes, my neighbor originally from PA, coaches the Alpine Meadows Snowboard Team and works for the City.  He suggested an awesome drive up Blackwood Canyon to hike on Barber Peak toward Twin Peaks along the Pacific Coastal Trail. Oh what beautiful vistas! Yes, I am blessed!!

Click here to share in the vistas of the PCT Barber Lake to (almost) Twin Peaks!

Click the videos below to hike a few steps with me...

Video 1             Video 2

Fellow campers, Richard (a technical writer from Boise) and Hoy (a tango instructor from California) inspired thoughts on quantum physics and woo woo…not sure how to spell that, but it gave way to a few fun evening campfire conversations! 

Click here to share in my visit to Lake Tahoe.

The end of highway 50 in Nevada was awesome; however, the road definitely doesn’t end here. It’s time to journey on and I leave you with a drive-by of Emerald Bay and this thought…

“If you don’t know where you’re going, any road’ll take you there”

                                                                                                       ~George Harrison~

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One is the loneliest number?

Traveling across Nevada on Highway 50, the “loneliest road in America”, the words that came to mind were desolate, isolated, remote, secluded, distant and off-the-grid…yes, they have a right to the “loneliest road slogan.”  However, amongst the wild west desert landscape and the numerous pony express trail stops, I was reminded that it is not as desolate as it once was. Hmm, one is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do…

An off-road experience to Garnet Hill brought the Venzaliner down this road to look for garnet...had to remind myself the Venza is a 4-cylinder!

An evening stay on top of Garnet Hill, a BLM site west of Ely where one is the loneliest number that you'll ever know! 

 

 

A brief stop at Sand Mountain; out in the vast hinterlands, a sand dune that obviously attracts hordes of people for OHV recreational activities was an interesting sight.  Check it out…the black rocks are where people enjoy campfires…although it looks lonely now, obviously there are times of busyness…I think I’ll venture on!

 

 

 

After Sand Mountain there was an opportunity to step back in time at Grimes Point, an area first visited by Native Americans 8,000 years ago. Today it is one of the largest and most accessible petroglyph sites in the United States.  A self-guided trail meanders through beachfront property and hundreds of boulders covered with rock art, some dating back 6,000 years .   

 

Click here to see more petroglyphs

 

Off the beaten path near Grimes Point behind the little red door is hidden cave...

 

 

If only I was there on the 2^nd or 4^th Saturday of the month, one would not have been the loneliest number as I could have toured the hidden cave; however, had to settle for a trail hike that wanders by several cave like shelters.  We'll never know what's behind the red door; however, the hidden cave area is an archeological site used as a cache site 3,500 years ago by nomadic hunter-gathers and created more than 21,000 years ago by the waves of rising Pleistocene Lake Lahontan. Although I didn't get to see the below ground, the above ground visuals definitely resembled an underwater scene that was rather interesting.

 

Click here to see additional cache site photos. 

One place that was definitely not interesting was Lahontan State Park Campground. In search of a place to stay for the evening, I headed off to LSP-Silver Springs Beach #7 which offers “developed campground facilities.” While driving down Fir Avenue in Silver Springs, yards were adorned with fences topped with barbed wire, bars on the windows and the park entranced was emblazoned with signs to “report crime.” Needless to say after the 10^th “report crime” sign, the Venzaliner headed back to Fallon and stayed at the Fallon RV Park where one was not the loneliest number!