REDDING-CA to LONG BEACH-WA

April 14th: Last night we nipped into a Rest Stop in Corning-CA, and slept a couple hours; it was a cold and wet night.

This morning, we checked into an RV Park in Redding for the night - basically so we would have heat; neither of us can afford to come down with a cold; we left Betsy hooked to Independence, because we were not staying more than a few hours.

The roads were so bad Saturday; that we had pulled over at sundown, and spent the night in a Rest Stop, in Corning-CA

Corning-CA from Barstow-CA; 8 hr. 2 min (524 miles) via CA-99 N and I-5 N

Choosing to look on the 'positive side' of things, when we woke up; Corning-CA

I pulled my Tablet out, and did a local RV Park search: Holland called the closest one to our immediate location, and we were registered on the spot … no online registration required, and no 45-minute background grilling :-)

We were thanking Elohim that we had been able to find an RV Park that could accommodate us on such short notice - the Park Hostess was very friendly, and secured a space for us without grilling us like we are criminals on the run.

It was a very nice Park: Elohim had lovingly blessed us :-)

JGW RV Park; #6612 Riverland Dr, Redding, CA

This was a very nice RV Park ;-)

We settled in for the night: the furnace was turned on, I cooked Supper, and Holland went online to plan our route westward …

Temperature today; the rain and winds made it feel like 35-degrees!

The 6 Passes we'll be crossing, tomorrow morning.

********************

April 15th: This morning, we pulled stakes and aimed to be in WA by nightfall.

Heading Westward …

Long Beach-WA from Redding-CA; 8 hrs. 26 min (525.6 mi) via I-5 N

It was a nice, colorful drive to view Mt. Shasta - lots of new green growth on trees and bushes, patches of california poppies, and pretty purple flowering bushes the color of old-fashioned lilacs. The air was crisp, but I didn't mind. I like the feel, and refreshing smell, of mountain air :-)

Lake Shasta: 

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shasta_Lake)

Holland remembers when Lake Shasta was severely depleted.

Lake Shasta Drought: 

(https://www.redding.com/story/news/2021/09/28/lake-shasta-water-level-so-low-docks-dry-its-going-get-worse-in-2021-drought-second-worst-year/5903187001/)

Pretty, colorful bush along the highway.

Holland says we drove thru here, before; I must have been sleeping.

I laughed when Holland quipped, "This is the first time I've driven through here, in the day time."

I laughed because I know he prefers (as most men do) to travel quickly and more relaxed, in the early morning hours; or the evening hours: there isn't much to see but the white lines on the highway, when daylight fades to twilight … or before the cock crows before sunrise.

Plus, he was jetting from job site to job site: sight-seeing wasn't a high priority with him until we married in 2023 ;-)

I also laughed because he mentioned that we'd been over this same stretch of road together 5 times with Betsy & Independence - and I don't remember a single time, because he drove in the evening hours, and during those times I was either sleeping … or it was pitch black and I couldn't see a thing beyond the dash light glow; so, I'm glad we are passing through here in daylight hours - and I will finally get to see Holland's favorite; Mt. Shasta :-)

There she is! Holland's favorite mountain; Mt. Shasta-CA ;-)

Poking her head out from the creeping cloud shroud …

Mount Shasta-CA: 

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Shasta)

Mount Eddy-CA

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Eddy)

A little bit of snow …

The weekend 'chain up!' mandate was totally unnecessary …

Oh!

This was eye-catching … Holland says this is called 'Black Butte' -  another view of Mount Shasta.

Beautiful!

Black Butte: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Butte_(Siskiyou_County,_California))

Dierks Bentley - 'Gold' Lyric Video: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYf1qjiGeGk)

I noticed as we drove along, that there were markers placed along the shoulders that read "Historic Highway #99"; I know what Historic Route #66 is, but Highway #99 is something new to me … so, I asked Holland about the sign ;-)

When he told me that his mother would pile all the kids - and luggage - into the car and drive from Kelso-WA to Texas (of course his father would fly the skies, free as a bird :-( ); or wherever his Father decided to eventually abandon his wife and kids … my respect for Ruth grew.

I wish I had been able to meet her; she sounds like a worthy woman. Everyone Holland knows & I have met, speak very highly of her. On the other hand … they have nothing good or kind, to say about his Father, Jerry.

And that is why Holland did not reveal his paternal sir name to me, even though I repeatedly asked: I literally did not know his actual last name until we were in Reno-NV getting married ;-)

Holland and I have a lot in common when it comes to fathers, malicious relatives, and sketchy childhoods: I don't talk a lot about my family branches, either - and the only people on my side of the aisle that Holland has ever met, is my SIL Merry … and my Granddaughter, Alyna. That will probably never change.

Historic #99 - Holland explained it to me ;-)

Kudos to Holland's Mother, who drove this highway for years - with 6 kids!

Holland telling me about Highway #99 - before the freeway was laid.

Ford LTD Station Wagon similar to what Holland remembers.

1970 Lincoln Continental Town Car; similar to the one Ruth drove.

Remembering both vehicles …

Holland didn't care much for the 1973 Chevy Caprice … nor for the way his Mother was treated.

1973 Chevy Caprice; similar to what Ruth drove.

My promise to my husband - and everything marriage vows entail.

The sting of a father's rejection - and malicious lies gossiped about among relatives, hurts for a lifetime; Elohim brought us together to heal each other, with love - agape love, when other love is struggling.

'Lakewood' says it all; Holland's family religion is definitely Vineyard ;-( Holland and I do not share the same outlook on Christianity; we agree to disagree - and studiously avoid vineyard arguments.

Holland is able to provide background insights about places, that most people do not have knowledge of: he has worked in, lived in … and horsed around in … most of the States from Louisiana & Oklahoma across ALL the States, from Texas straight up to Canada (and once across the border to work in Canadian oil fields) - and across half of America to the West Coast; 18 States that I know of, and probably more.

I enjoy hearing him talk about these places we travel through; his remembrances are enlightening background information - he has first-hand & 1-on-1 personal experience of things you can't learn from books, political leanings, or tourist brochures.

Holland literally makes the best traveling companion: a few years ago, when I seriously decided to start this traveling journey - I had petitioned Elohim for someone to tour the USA with … and He delivered :-)

I am thankful that Elohim gives ear to me.

I am thankful that Holland is in my Life.

I'm glad Holland is agreeing to take the time to relax, and see all the beautiful scenery with me - that he previously missed when he drove through these places as a solo lobo :-)

Holland pointed this metal sculpture out to me, as we drove by; Montague-CA

Siskiyou Summit-OR

Siskiyou Summit: 

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siskiyou_Summit)

I like this little rocky hill, in Dunbar Gulch-OR; the rocky top looks like it has been crowned with a natural ornamental diadem. LOL

I have been faithful to use my Peak Flow Meter Reader - and my emergency inhaler when needed (I don't want to put Holland through another harrowing and intense situation); before we hit the road this morning, it read 350 … so, I sucked down 4 puffs, to be repeated every 4 hours if the reading was still in the cautionary zone.

It was a little after noon when we drove through Dunbar Gulch, and I noticed that we had dropped below 2,000 ft. in elevation: I was breathing well, but blew into the Meter Reader anyway to assure my husband.

WHOPPIE! 600, on the nose (a good reading) - no need to use the inhaler :-)

Coming into Portland-OR & the Portland Aerial Tram.

Portland Aerial Tram: 

(https://www.gobytram.com/)

I do not like concrete jungle cities … Portland-OR

Light Rail MAX/Portland-OR: 

(https://trimet.org/max6/)

Downtown skyline; Portland-OR

Holland worked on that gray building; he had to walk a mile EA way from a parking garage to the work site.

Holland worked on this building for 9 months - this building is situated on a steep incline; Holland had to walk a half a mile EA way, from the parking garage to the work site … carrying his tools, lunch cooler, ect. up and down that steep incline. Holland parked at PSU Parking Lot (his Union paid for his Work Pass).

I can't even imagine: his tools are heavy; the street is steep.

Campus Apartments.

People living in the City, like canned sardines … I do not like Portland-OR; I feel about Portland, as Holland does about CA ;-)

This Victorian era house sits on it's own corner island, with roadways surrounding it.

Leaving Portland - and rush hour traffic behind …

Instant relief.

Long Beach-WA from Portland-OR; 2 hr. 14 min (111.2 mi) via US-26 W, US-26 W and US-101 N

We both like seeing the St. John's Bridge, come into view ;-)

St. Johns Bridge-OR: 

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Johns_Bridge)

Then, we were in Long Beach-WA, setting up and relaxing :-)

Enjoying the 'Good Life'.

Decisions for future journeys, will be made here; physical abilities concerning both of us will be major points considered - Holland will be getting 2 more cortisone knee injections soon, and possibly a mini oxygenizer he can use at high altitudes.

I have an upcoming eye exam scheduled; and I'm considering a visit to my Dr. about asthma flareups, and angina frequency (basically for Holland's benefit). Neither are curable conditions, and I've come to peaceful mindset about both conditions - but I am no longer a solo lobo, and my husband's concerns must be considered.

We'll be WA at least until the middle of June; the rest is in Elohim's hands - and right now, it looks like a crap shoot.

Proverbs 16:33 = "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD" (a) We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall (b) Make your motions and cast your votes, but God has the final say.

CRAB

Today is our last real day on the Peninsula.

Tomorrow we'll be in Rainer, and Longview all day - in Rainier, to get Holland's teeth more comfortable in his mouth … and in Longview, to visit family and friends before boogieing off to Forks.

Holland has never eaten fresh crab before, so I thought it would be fun to track some down and chow down on it ;-)

First though - we tracked down a dog groomer to give Bleu a bath and clip the tips of his nails again. Strong dog odor gives me a migraine headache; and Bleu's toe nails are too sharp for Holland's skin.

When Bleu came back, he didn't smell so doggy (but he is not hyperallergic, and I do get headaches - trusting Elohim for a healing in this regard), and the woman did a good job on shortening/flattening the tips of his toe nails. I think his nails will always be very long, though: he's a digger, as well as a herder breed of dog.

Then propane tanks were filled; and right across the street from there, I saw a Sadie & Josie Bakery. Holland has been wanting doughnuts, so I suggested we try across the street. Sadie & Josie goods are GOOD: I would drive all the way from Longview to La Center just to buy those delicious goodies :-)

Propane filling day.

I love this big guy … he makes me feel safe; and like a precious Gift.

Sadie & Josie's; 204 Pioneer Rd, Longbeach-WA

Smaller Bakery than the one in La Center … and cheaper prices, too. But they didn't sell doughnuts, so we bought cinnamon rolls and eclairs. YUMMY!

We headed the nose of Betsy towards Nahcotta - with windows open, stereo cranked up loud, and sticky cinnamon roll bits on our fingertips and tongues.

There was no crab to be had in Nahcotta … so, we did a quick spin on the beachfront - and drove back to Longbeach. On our way, we turned onto the Loomis Lake gravel road to take a peek at the lake advertised up and down the roadway. Neither of us had ever been there: another memory made together :-)

Scouting for fresh crabs … the fishermen said they couldn't sell crab to us, fresh off the boat :-(

Cutting the beach drive short, and resumed crab hunting; Ocean Park-WA

Looking for Loomis Lake; Longbeach-WA

The Crab Pot; 1917 Pacific Ave S, Longbeach-WA

They were frozen (no fresh crab in a water tank was available) … so, I only bought 3. I wasn't going to pay extra for the frozen flesh. Frozen meat is denser, so it is heavier on the weight scale.

Supper - Crab & Eclairs; we ate Cinnamon Rolls for breakfast.

Holland couldn't eat the crab - he said it smells "too much like fish bait." Hmmm. I ate them … but I won't be buying anymore crabs. I might get some crabmeat in a restaurant dish, but if the smell is too overwhelming for Holland at home, there is no point to buying whole crabs for home.

We are learning about each other.

Living in unity is a process.