Kat's Guide to Road Trippin' the Pacific Northwest

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I did it!
I drove my car from California to Canada and back, via an interesting route, in 10 days! Special thanks to Mollie for being the jolly soul she is and having friends sprinkled up and down the coast that we could stay with since the budget was minimal. And to Steph for making the Salty Roses tour so much fun that we ended up extending the trip so she could give us a personalized tour of the Portland area!

Day 1

Mollie, Steph & I packed up my Honda "Golden Girl " (aka GG) with lots of treats including a one pound of Goldfish crackers, and headed out on our first day of adventures. We swear we didn't all plan on wearing pink that day. These things just happen sometimes! (Click on any picture to see it larger)

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Solvang
The answer is always yes if the question is whether or not cheese tasting is the right way to start out your vacation! I believe there is only one cheese shop in town. Check it out. They are happy to give samples and have many delicious choices. If you have more time, stop into Solvang's many Wine Tasting rooms that showcase wines from the vineyards in the area that became famous in the movie Sideways. And if you are really into Danish culture, make sure you visit Solvang in September during Danish Days.

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San Luis Obispo
Mollie had seen the Madonna Inn from the highway before, but had never been inside. I couldn't fully explain this multi-themed bizarre-o world hotel even if I dedicated a whole blog to it, so do yourself a favor and google it, cuz they have pictures of every room online. It's commonplace to see women in the men's restroom here, since word has spread that the urinal is actually a waterfall that activates when you, uhh, waterfall. As if that wasn't reason enough to make this a rest stop, the all-pink hued restaurant definitely called to us and complimented our outfits. Again, you would have thought it was planned. We're just that good.

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Elephant Seals near Hearst Castle
I have never seen so many seals in my life! It was fun to watch some of them play in the water while the others sunned themselves.

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Big Sur Area
Since our destination was still far ahead of us, we only quickly got out and took peeks at the breathtaking coastline in this region. Although the fog was not that fun to drive in, it added mystery to our journey and made for interesting photos. “Is that an eagle?” Mollie asked at several different points. It never was, but each time she saw another big bird on our journey, she asked Steph to check it out, just in case.

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Carmel River State Beach
We were excited to be off of the cliffs and near the water again. We ran (somewhat slowly due to the rocky sand) to the shore and I was reminded that it makes me smile just to be on the beach, any beach, for any reason.

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Hog's Breath Inn - Carmel
Did you know Carmel-By-The-Sea has no street addresses? They try to keep their small town feel by only referring to spots by their closest cross-streets. This works for businesses since there aren't many, if any, repeats. For private homes, each house is nicknamed. It was really fun to drive through and see the things people came up with. Clint Eastwood's restaurant and bar is tucked into an alley not too far from the main drag and has a very cute courtyard, complete with fireplaces and a mural that makes you feel like you are in Ireland, or somewhere equally as green. That day, they also had artichoke soup that was waaaay too salty. Like where the recipe called for water, they accidentally used salt. But I've eaten here before and can vouch for their otherwise tasty vittles.

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17-mile Drive - Monterey
Although it was mostly overcast, the viewpoints along this scenic pay route were still worth seeing. Crisp green-blue water and interesting rocks, sand, waves, birds (sorry Mollie, no eagles) world-famous golf courses, etc. whipped us into a picture-taking frenzy. The only thing on the map that alluded our viewfinders was the Ghost Tree...and I think that is fitting.

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After a late dinner and even more driving, we made it to Mollie's friend's house in Roseville. Even though I had to build a fort around my head because one of their cats thinks eyelash biting is a sport, I slept wonderfully.

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Day 2

Sacramento
Our state capital is a quick jaunt from Roseville, so we swung in for an important meeting with the Governator, caught a car show on the capital steps, ate lunch at In N Out since Steph can't get it back in Portland, and appreciated that the sun was shining. I got to noticing that there were an overwhelming number of A&W’s along the highway taunting my sweet tooth. Mmm, root beer float. Maybe tomorrow.

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Cinco de Mayo drinks in Redding
We took it as fate that when GG's low gas gauge lit up near Redding and we stopped for gas, that the next nearest place of business was a Mexican restaurant boasting $3.95 margaritas for Cinco de Mayo. Ole! Thank You La Conquista, but you can keep your guacamole. We're not in L.A. anymore.

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Shasta Lake and Mt. Shasta
We were pleasantly surprised by beautiful Shasta Lake and Mt. Shasta near the Oregon border. We could see both right off of the highway, and we decided we needed to make the lake a stop on the way back. Parting is such sweet sorrow! Speaking of Shakespeare...

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Ashland, OR
Ashland boasts a 9-month Shakespeare festival each year. I give props to any small town that finds it's place in the world. This was to be our night's stopping spot.

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As we cruised down the street looking for Mollie's friend's place, we saw a gorgeous two-story Craftsman style house. One of us said 'Oh, can we stay there?" Then Mollie checked the address and said "that's it" and a collective "yaaaay!" revived GG's spirit and ours. Not only were we greeted at the door with margaritas, but a homemade dinner to boot! The dream house was finished three years ago, designed and built by Mollie's friend's hubby.
Don't get me started on the heated bathroom floors.

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Day 3

After a tour of downtown Ashland, including a taste of their Lithia mineral water that tastes like rotten eggs (!), we had a delicious lunch at Standing Stone Brewery (but no root beer floats) and hit the road, jack, to our next stop.

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Somewhere between Ashland and Roseville, we had cameras ready to mark GG's 1,000 mile mark on the trip meter. I took a pic for fun at the 999 mile mark, not knowing what a good idea it actually was since in the next moment the meter clicked back down to Zero! Awww. Boo Honda. Boo.

Wine-tasting in Roseburg
Since Steph works at a winery, we were treated to complimentary wine tastings and personalized tours at two vineyards in Roseburg. At Hillcrest, Susan and her dog Jack showed us where their wine is made and also showed us the best place where wine is hid...in your belly! Special treat for me...the next stop was a Hungarian winery! I was very excited by the time we pulled up to the Palotai vineyards and winery. We pretty much took over the place as we took pictures behind the bar and bought up the last of two of their varietals, including one with a handwritten label. Awesome. They have everything you need to make up a good vineyard. Horse named Bruno- check. River running behind the growing grapes- check. Hammock by the river- check!

Saw a rainbow just past Eugene. We were lucky. The only time during the trip that it rained was when we were between stops. Never had to open an umbrella or put on a raincoat even though the forecast said otherwise. Magic.

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Portland
We made it to Steph's house in Portland - The Rose City. The next day she was off to work and Mollie and I headed west to the coast and up to Seattle.

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Day 4

Cannon Beach, OR
The further north you go, the weirder the city/park/region names get. We passed East Humbug Creek on the way to the beach. And once we hit Washington, passed through a place called Cape Disappointment. I know! Cannon Beach is super cute, and houses one of the top 50 pizza places in the country: Pizza al Fetta. Soo good. Even the crust. Drove through South Bend - the Oyster capital of the world , past the state capital of Olympia, and then...

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Seattle, WA!
Seattle was awesome. Only had one night there but we made the most of it. Stayed with Mollie's friend Rosemary (realized this vacation should be named the Rose Tour), hit the Space Needle, saw the awesome architecture of the Experience Music Now building, got a great view of the city from Queen Anne hill, had cheap yummy sushi at Ohana Grill and fell in love with the music scene at both the Frontier Bar and Cellars. in the neighborhood of Belltown.

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Day 5

Seattle, contd.
The Pike Place market can be a day long event if you've got the time. Crumpets for breakfast. Piroshkies for a snack. Watching the guys throw fish at the fresh fish market and sampling their delicious smoked salmon. Flowers and yumminess everywhere! Mollie had to pull me away to find Pier 52 and we took a ferry to Bainbridge Island before leaving the city.

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Vancouver, Canada!
Just when we thought we had accomplished something by making it to Seattle, we were on the road again and made it to Canadia! We had 2 hours of daylight left and decided to try to find Lynn Canyon Park and the amazing suspension bridge that topped the evergreens and looked down on two waterfalls. We were semi-lost and I asked a local if he knew if there was another name for the 1-A. He looked at me like I was a jerk. Mollie informed me that it was probably because he thought I was mocking the Canadians, eh. Doh.

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We had a great view for people watching at Moxi's for dinner. We realized Vancouver is a very young city. It has something to do with the 19-year-old drinking age. Then we realized that the espresso martini at Earl's is awesome. So we took a glass as a souvenir.

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Day 6
Bike riding at Stanley Park on a sunny day is the best way to spend your first full day in Vancouver. Native American heritage, forest, beach, and city all rolled into one.

After that we felt there was nothing we couldn't accomplish. So we went to a flea market and bought a coffee table. Yes, really. Mollie even talked the guy down from $25 to $18 in Canadian funny money.

The city was pumped for the hockey game that night, and everywhere we went there were signs and people hanging out of their car windows yelling something about Canucks.

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Best View in the city: Queen Victoria Park.

My favorite beer: Granville Island's Maple Cream beer.

Weirdest street sign: Take sunglasses off in tunnel

The coolest part about going to Vancouver this year: Seeing the city prepare for the 2010 Winter Olympics. There is a lot of work to be done, but I am sure they will get there.

Scariest moment in Canada: Almost getting run over by a seaplane while trying to take a close up picture of it. It was more embarrassing than scary. In hindsight, it was actually more hilarious than embarrassing.

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We headed out to historic Gas Town (hehehe) that evening and lucked out with Brian, our knowledgeable server at Steamworks. As the tables around us cheered and gasped at the hockey games on the big screens, he gave us tips on where to go that evening and breakfast the next morning, as well as recommending a yummy beer called Ipanema for Mollie to have with dinner.

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By this point, I had become more tolerant to the weather, which was much cooler in the evenings than Spring in LA. After a quick celebrity sighting (Bradley Whitford from the West Wing) we walked to a bar called Chill Winston’s. And chill it was. I ordered a dessert with a description that made me wonder what I was actually getting into. It turned out to be the best thing I tasted in Vancouver. Check out the picture! Any dessert that comes with a mini Irish car bomb is A-OK in my book.

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Day 7
Why are we leaving Canada already? More importantly, why haven’t I had a root beer float on this trip yet?
Although my Honda might beg to differ, 10 days is not enough time to see and do all the things the Pacific Northwest has to offer. But it is a good beginner’s course. After a morning of shopping and crepes, we were back on U.S. soil. Mollie and I zoomed back in to Seattle to buy flowers, and then made it to Portland before dark.

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Portland
Steph had introduced Mollie to the McMenamin’s empire of bars and entertainment complexes in Oregon. I was playing catch up. Basically, McMenamin’s buys up old properties in Oregon and turns them into great places to hang out. The place we went to dinner that evening was called the Power Station because, you guessed it- it used to be an old power station. It was now a restaurant, brewery, winery, golf course, hotel and spa. A grown-up’s playground. It was love at first sight for me. Other locations were former schools, movie theaters, etc. Am I the only one that thinks turning a school into a bar is the best idea ever?

After dinner, we went up to the Portland Bar and Grill in the tallest building in town for a great view and a nightcap.

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Day 8

Columbia River Gorge, OR
Waterfalls, greenery, more waterfalls and fresh air! One side of the river is Oregon, the other is Washington. If you are near Portland, you have to stop at the easily accessible falls along the gorge, including Multnomah Falls- the second tallest in the country!!!

We stopped at Fire on the Mountain for a lunch of Buffalo wings. Tons of sauce choices and all of them yummy. We ate under a mural that included Willie Nelson because we knew he knew we’d be On the Road Again soon.

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Day 9
Shasta Lake, CA & Marin
After a quick stop in Ashland to drop off a Thank You bottle of wine for our hosts there, Mollie and I made good on our promise to stop and play at Shasta Lake on the trip back. The three foot long snake that we found at the water’s edge also kept a snakey promise to scare the poop out of anyone who crosses his path. That night, we made it to Marin, just outside of San Francisco for our last stop at yet another generous friend’s home before getting back to LA the next day.

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Day 10

San Francisco & Home
“Is that an eagle?!” No, it wasn’t. But it was a falcon Mollie saw at the lookout of the Golden Gate Bridge, which was still pretty cool. She felt content seeing the closest thing to an eagle that was feasible on this trip. But I had yet to fulfill my root beer float craving. Ghirardelli Ice Cream Shop, here we come! Step aside Rice-A-Roni…there’s a new San Francisco treat. Mmm, sweet success.

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I’d say it was a very successful trip. We even finished the last of the one pound bag of Goldfish. Or should I say Mollie wouldn’t let me get out of the car in our garage until we finished them. Details, details.

We did it!

Where to next???

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Comments

[gia]

Fun!
Your pics of your trip was really cool. I could sense the fun you had traveling through your simple style of writing, it wasn't overdone. Awesome! Thanx for sharing!