Brief But Memorable California- Natalie's Addition

 CALIFORNIA

Well, I better talk about our time in California, as we are now in Nevada and time is getting away on me. There were many delights, however; overall we are happy to be leaving California behind. I don’t think we could afford it any longer. Did I tell you about the Gas Buddy App? This App tells you the price per litre or gallon depending on where you are located. Here in the states it can ranges from $2.50US per gallon in the southern states, and up to $7.09US in California. Sometimes there is as much as a $1.50/Gal difference between gas stations in the same city. So, you need Gas Buddy to help navigate where to fill up. We ended up coming into Nevada on fumes so we could get to a gas station with a reasonable price.

We started our California adventure with a trip to the Redwoods National Park. Insert a *Sigh* here. I love the beauty. The greenery, sunlight through the trees and moisture rich environment is amazing. The soft earth below your feet, from years of decomposition, just seemed like cashmere (if I can use that as a desriptive word) It’s so inviting here. Our motorhome ended up being one foot too big for camping in the National Park. If I ever come back, I am staying at the Jedediah State Park. I would highly recommend it. We did some beautiful hikes in the area, and in my opinion this NE part of the park was more awe-inspiring than the southern portion, that everyone usually drives thru. 

    We ended up camping in Klamath and it was a real treat. Here we met the Shea family, all 7 of them (5 kids ranging from 1.5-10). We clicked immediately and decided to stay one more day so the kids could play. Us parents chatted about life on the road as the Shea family were on month 4 of their year long trip. Here we biked daily to the beach to see the seals, collect driftwood for craft days, and to let the kids play on the rocks and sand.  A particularly favorite beach we found was accessed from a hidden trail off the beaten path. It was always so foggy giving it the added mysterious, secluded vibe. I loved it! We took three trips to beach comb for driftwood and just enjoy.

We were sad to leave the Shea family, but we exchanged numbers and are hoping to, maybe, meet in the south in the coming months. From there we drove to Redding CA, on our way to Lake Tahoe, getting the cheap gas along the way. That night we hit up a Harvest host, and then left early the next morning for Lake Tahoe. Here we planted our feet for 4 nights. Everyone needed a slower pace. I got to clean my motorhome, and take a few deep breaths. The boys got to bike, and dad got to have nightly fires. Lake Tahoe is at an higher elevation so we actually got some snow!!! Funny, the day before the snow we peer-pressured the kids to go jump into Lake Tahoe, as the day was gorgeous. They wanted us to bike back to the campsite for swimsuits, but Adam and I were too lazy. “Go in your underwear boys, no one will know,” we told them. We did not realize how cold it was going to be for them. A few tears were shed, and many regrets. Kids won’t cave to peer pressure anymore. “Never again,” agreed both boys. 

We were really undecided on where to go next. The options were Salt Lake City or Yosemite. The weather was pushing us out of Lake Tahoe, and we were wondering If we needed to do Salt Lake before it got too cold there too. The downside to this option was that the drive was going to be a long one, spanning probably two days and we really were not up for it. We were ready to leave California but thought the closer option, Yosemite, would be better. 

Yosemite turned out to be a great choice…. after a very ugly start. The kids were just not into the school routine while on the road. We did great in Lake Tahoe, where we were stationary, could get outside, and were able to separate the kids. To say that they distract one another, is an understatement! We tried to motivate the kids, but they weren’t having any of it, and they wanted to tell me what they were going to do. I lost my cool. The kids had to use their code word for me, for when I’m starting to lose my temper (in case you’re wondering, the word is BANANAS). Then, Adam tried to pass the kids something and it missed and hit the floor. Well, this led to emotional meltdowns everywhere you turned! 

We got out of the motorhome in the Yosemite Village only to find out that we couldn’t get a spot to camp, and

no campgrounds were near (another hour drive within the park to find the next closest campground). The park has such elevation changes, roads with no shoulders, switchbacks and turns throughout made us all groan at getting back in the vehicle. Off to do some hikes instead. We ended up on the Mist Trail which settled our frazzled nerves, and calmed our minds. After 1.5 hours of expending some energy, we were all able to get back in the motorhome to find a place to sleep. Wyatt wanted us to just keep driving to Nevada, towards Vegas, but Gibson wanted to stay and explore this place the next day before going forward. We took a vote and decided to find something for the night around Yosemite. Thank goodness for the iOverlander App. Offline maps helped us find a pullout (What they call informal camping) where we crashed for the night, outside the park.  When we parked it was dark, but the moon lit up the sky so brightly. We were on a pull out next to the river, but still in the valley. We woke up to the beauiful view, surrounded by many othrt people, who all must have had the same information/location about where to rest for the night. A minivan was parked there too, and the people had literally slept in their sleeping bags beside their vehicle of the shoulder of the road.  And I thought we were roughing it, sleeping in a pullout. 

Back into the park for a day of exploring.  So glad we did. The day was sunny and clear. There was a small amount of smoke from some controlled burning happening in the Valley. We did the Taft trail to see El Capitan in all its glory. The view of the valley was absolutely specacular. Now having said this, I was freaked out most of the time as you are located on another cliff. My kids had no problem walking close to the edge to get a good view. I was panicking just approaching, and let's just stay I decided to get my centre of gravity as close to the rock as possible. I would also keep frequently reminding the kids: ‘not to get too close’,  ‘Stop parkouring’, ‘no running’, ‘watch your step!’  Funny that I never realized, before this moment, how really afraid of heights I am.  And, I owe my mom an apology, as I used to make fun of her and her fear of heights. 

From the Taft view point, and thru bincolulars, you could see around a hundred rock climbers on the face of the famous mountain. We had previously watched Free Solo on Disney, and it was the inspiration for seeing this mountain up close and personal. We now have a new found respect for the crazy Alex Honnold and his climb.

  After that morning adventure, it was a scenic drive, east, thru the rest of the park. We reached altitudes of 10,000 ft (3340 meters). The motorhome took it like a champ.  I, however, needed a nap badly. There were many frazzled nerves from the earlier death defying hike, followed by the narrow, winding roads within the park, and the crazy descent into Nevada, which turned into a rollercoaster of a road. No joke! The kids were screaming in delight as we would crest a hill on the road followed by a dip causing their stomachs to drop. Then there’s me, freaking out that the backend of our motorhome would scrape the road before going up the next hill. “Dipsy-doos”, I think they are referred to. Oh man. My body was done. As I mentioned before, we coasted in on fumes to the Nevada gas station (after using our jerry can to help make it). Here, we hit a truck stop, got gas, and I told Adam we were sleeping here for the night. Tomorrow is a new day that would lead us to Las Vegas, and a better campground, or so I’d hoped. Here we come.