Day fifteen Gold Beach to Stewart State Park campground - 182miles

Today we took a shorter day distance wise so that we could spend more time looking at big trees. The day started off cooler with thunder out to sea, as we drove along the coast the mist came in.

Misty last view of the Pacific

Sea arch

After a couple of short walks we headed further south and back into California. We went to the Jedediah Smith redwoods state park. We parked at the day use area and took a hike along the Smith river, over a bridge before taking a walk around Stout grove. It didn't disappoint and was at times like the Endor moon.

Grrrrr! 

Bridge across the river

More big trees

Grrrrrrr

Next we continued our trip towards Crater lake NP. As we drove alongside the Smith river on the Redwood highway (US199) the temperature rose to around 90°F. The Smith river is very pretty, with more time we would have stopped to swim.
The state park we are staying at has electric and water for $24, the sites are big and so far quiet. Hopefully we will see some stars tonight too.

Trip stats

Total miles 3436
Bear count
11 black
0 brown

Day fourteen Gold Beach to Gold Beach - 178 miles

Today was see the redwoods day, in California. We did an out an back trip from where we stayed the previous night. The Redwoods didn’t disappoint, what is amazing and sad is how the extent of their reach has been reduced over the years. 

Yup tall trees

very tall trees

The selfie game is strong.

interesting roots

Walking through the fallen tree

Baby Groot and the Redwoods

More fallen trees

Trip Stats 

Total miles 3254  
Bear count 11 black, 0 brown 

Day thirteen Castle Rock, WA to Gold Beach, OR - 373 miles

Today started off with a short excursion to the visitor information centre about Mount Saint Helens. The rest of the day was spent mostly driving. Although we did stop to see a couple of cool sights. The Elk near Reedsport and a couple of view points along the way.  Our campground even has an old light house.

one of many dragonfly that we saw

Baby Groot and the Elk

Sunset and an old light house

Trip Stats 

Total miles  3076
Bear count 11 black, 0 brown

Day twelve Seattle Castle Rock - 226 miles

Seattle traffic is horrible, fortunately we were mostly going the opposite direction to the majority of it. For the trip today we got to see Mount Rainier national park, which was fantastic! We arrived at the park at the Nisqually entrance and made our way up to Paradise, we continued over the pass and  dropped down to exit at the Ohanapecosh the weather was beautiful.

Welcome to the park

Old fallen trees

restless glaciers

it's up there somewhere

bridge with a view

 

nice waterfall

more pretty flowers

We then rolled a little further south to a KOA campground which is peaceful though pretty expensive. 

Trip Stats 

Total miles  2703
Bear count 11 black, 0 brown 

Day eleven Seattle - 0 miles

Today we took the public transport into Seattle. If you are visiting, do yourself a favour and get the public transport app “Seattle Total Transit”, it is a great resource for navigating. 

We arrived downtown around 09:30 and had a look around Pikes Market, the fruit was outstanding, then it was onto the gum wall.

That is a lot of gum!

After this we hit the waterfront and took a walk down to the Olympic Sculptures then onto the Space Needle.  

Pretty interesting design.

Before we went up. 

New glass walls, this is a Groot impression by the way. 

Following our trip up the needle, Fiona and I grabbed some Sushi for lunch, we left Grandma and Granddad Dennis to take their own lunch.  We then went back to play in the park. 

Park fun

A"Mazing"

Next up was a Monorail trip.

Fun facts!

About to set off

Followed by going back to Pike Market and to place gum on the gum wall.

A sign above the entrance to the market

leaving our mark or something like that.

It was that one!

Then it was time to head back to the RV for a swim and some laundry. All in all a top day out. Seattle was super interesting, I am sure we will be back. 

Trip Stats 

Total miles  2477

Bear count 11 black, 0 brown