Richmond shipyards

We hadn't been to the Richmond waterfront before, and at first there wasn't much to see. But past the oil refineries and gritty neighborhoods we found the Rose the Riviter (WW II) park along with a bunch of mid-40's warehouses and shipyards. Nice place also to store your 125' catamaran once owned by Steve Fossett. The warehouse at the bottom just the tail end of one huge and airy warehouse complex that originally built Ford cars before the war, but now is a venue for concerts, some businesses, and the area's best hidden brewery.

Lake Chabot

 

 

 

 

I discovered the Lake Chabot marina during a bike ride before our vacation and promised to take the family out when we returned. The patio boats they rent are perfect -- easy enough for a five year old to steer (seven year olds need more practice) and big enough to have a picnic while drifting in the wind. We brought our fishing poles, but only caught some good sun rays.

The Lost Coast

 

 

 

 

The historic Victorian town of Ferndale was our starting point to the very twisty and long Lost Coast highway, much of it wrapped in fog. The beaches were too cold and windy, but it's always fun to go over a one lane wooden bridge between semis.

Unbelievably, we made it home that same day after 10 hours in the car. 2600 miles, 2400 pictures, and eight audio books later. It felt good to be home, but I'd do it all over again in a minute.

Random Trinidad pictures

 

 

 

 

Visiting with Mark Martin; the owner of the Vista home (showing off his prized Tele guitar); his wonderful lab also named "Tele"; and some guy walking his pet lizard in the surf in the town of Trinidad as we were getting lunch nearby. Only 600 people in Trinidad, and there's never a dull moment in this town!

Agate Beach in Patrick's Point State Park

 

 

 

 

Agate hunting! If you've got agates in hand and two smiling kids after the trek up the hill, you know it's been a successful day.

Trinidad Vista home

 

 

 

 

Grant's Pass

 

 

 

 

On the way down from Portland we stayed overnight at the Weasku Inn in a tiny A-frame cabin. Nice and peaceful. After checking out the next day, we spent time wading on a river and watching the gold dredging campers. We found a small round-bellied snake (eating fish?) swimming in the river. There was even time for a winery or two where Nate and Julie got to feed the large trout.

Portland Zoo

 

 

 

 

The MAX train makes it so convenient to visit the zoo, we just hoped aboard. Once at the zoo, we took the small zoo train out to the rose garden and playground, then returned to see the animatronic dinosaur exihibit. Some dinosaurs were programmed to spray water (that felt good), and the T-REX was five times as large as it appears in the photos. It was sufficiently huge to stun the kids a few minutes.

Various Portland Pics

 

 

 

 

Our new discovery: Voodoo Donuts, conveniently located a block from our wonderful hotel, the downtown Embassy Suites. We found our new home base south of the Washington border. Due to the warm weather, we also had to visit the great public fountains near the waterfront, and of course Pearl Bakery. Not shown: our first trip with the kids to Powell's Bookstore. We truly did get lost trying to find our way out.

Victoria to Port Angeles ferry