Newport, Oregon

After two days of harrowing drives along US 101, we arrived in Newport in time to celebrate Josie's 5th birthday. She is wonderful and baby Danielle is so cute and good we're amazed. At 7.5 months she's already saying dada and mama (mama less frequently which doesn't go over well with Mom) and babee. She just co-exists with everyone in a relaxed and upbeat way.

As soon as I get pics of the sea lion cave, I'll download and post a couple more trip pics, including the scary redwood forest we stayed in outside of Crescent City, CA. Speaking of scary, US 101 narrows to two way traffic in most places as it winds into northern CA and then into OR. Capt. Don was wheezing as we went through an area where I could have touched the redwood trees if I opened the window.

The Crestwood City campground was great, very rustic but with all the necessities (electric, water, sewer and cable TV). Both campgrounds in Petaluma, CA and Crescent City had the cutest little cabins that people can rent (I originally typed cabinets and that's more like the size but they ARE cute). When I read that the redwood forests are dense and dark, I couldn't really imagine what that must be like. Now I know: They are really dark and scary because you KNOW there must be bears and other carnivores waiting for unsuspecting tourists to wander too far into the woods. Don took CoriBob out for her morning 'thingies' and he suddenly realized he might not be alone in the wilderness.

Hi-lite: Going around a bend on 101 and seeing the Pacific crashing against huge boulders along a shore which you think you can see goes forever and then heading back into a forest drive with lakes on the right and trees on the left and then hitting the coastline again. Wow, is the water/coastline ever different on the upper Pacific coast. Think rocks -- giant rocks that you could build a house on, if you were crazy.

Newport hi-lites: Seeing the grand kids and kids; the Oregon Coast Aquarium (within walking distance of where we're staying) is one of the best we've ever seen; the Rogue brewing and distillery (also within walking distance) company -- to be explained later.