July 21, 2026 - Go to Salem

Title: July 21, 2026 -  Go to Salem

Hike Info : Description

Hike Info:

Type:Car

Description:

Only a few strikes so my lighting report was mostly quick. In reality it gave me practice in case I needed to do a full report. David gets up and does his exercises. But he does not go for a walk-I think he wants to make sure we are taken care of before we leave. Either that or he is afraid we will leave without us saying bye.

But we do not move fast in leaving. While Sherri is eating breakfast, David and I go for a 20 minute walk. It is good to have a few steps in before driving. Also it is better to have a few minutes of alone time with David.

One thing which I was concerned about with myself was my passport. Did I bring it? It seemed like when I was packing, I first needed to make sure I pulled it out my passport. But what I did not do is check to see if Sherri had hers. She did and did not. She had laid it on the desk, but did not pack it. That led to a frantic conversation with Rachel to see if she could get it up to Andrea’s. Rachel, being the person she is, knew how to get it to us: FedEx. The USPS looked like it would arrive well after we needed to leave.

100 degrees-Willamette Valley

We leave about a quarter to 10 with me driving. It turns out I will drive the entire way, but we have breaks, so it is not too bad. Our very first stop is in Eureka for a cup of coffee at Dutch Brothers. Google map led us on a circulus route, but Sherri got her white mocha and was happy.

This section of 101 is beautiful. Going through redwood forests, so much green along the side of the road; an occasional view of the ocean to break up whatever monotony of all of that beautiful lushness of the forest.

The goodness of going through such a beautiful place was needed on this drive. Why? There are several bits of construction on 101. There were two particular places which held us up for about half an hour apiece. We had plenty of time to admire the beauty.

Gary

We forego’d our traditional stop in Crescent City at Starbucks and continued on. But we did find the Jedidiah Smith State Park Visitor Center for relief. But that was it. Then onward to Cave Junction. We got there about 1 and decided that Taylor Sausage sounded good. Sherri had a Bratwurst with Sauerkraut while I had a Roast Beef French Dip. Both were satisfying.

Before we hit the road, I needed to get gas. David and I had discussed where to get gas. He had noticed that gas in Roseburg was the cheapest. But I would not have enough to get there. Actually a few miles before Cave Junction, the low fuel light came on. So I put 10 gallons in to get to Salem.

Lawrence

Andrea

The trip to Salem was uneventful, but warm. Since leaving the coast, we have been seeing temperatures rise to 100 degrees. I commented to Sherri we traveled all of this way for this heat? We could have gotten it in Fresno. We get to Lawrence and Andrea’s house a few minutes before 6, tired, but safe.

I do not unpack the car until it cools down a bit. Their house does not have AC for the few hot days they get each year. But they do have a basement. We spend some time down there, in the coolness. When Lawrence gets home from the gym, we go out for ice cream at Dreamies Creamery. Their ice cream is made out of goats milk. Maybe a bit smoother texture than cow’s milk. Still pretty decent. By 10, I am ready for bed.

July 20, 2026 - Eureka

Title: July 20, 2026 -  Eureka
Hike Info : Description

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking 

Trail head: McKay Tract Parking area

Trail: Perimeter Trail, Bob Hill Trail

Destination: Loop

Distance:  1.15 miles ¹

Elevation Rise: 289 '

Descent: 269‘

Maximum Elevation: 334'

Minimum Elevation: 256'

 ¹Route was plotted on Google Earth, not with an actual GPS.

Description:

David&Sherri walking to skyway

I got up at 6:15. David is just finishing his morning limbering up time. I see that there is nothing to report as far as lightning is concerned. So I have my breakfast. Sherri did not sleep well last night, so she will be sleeping in.

David is working on providing a redwood worktop for his neighbor. A couple of years ago, there was a couple of redwoods in his backyard which needed to come down-they had become dangerous. He has kept the wood and has been making things such as benches out of the slabs. Much more talented in that regard than I am. Anyway, I provided a little bit of help this morning for him. He still has a ways to go before he installs the finished product.

Before we left Fresno, my cousin Susie had sent a video asking if I had been there. It was on the skywalk at the Sequoia Zoo. We had been to the Zoo several years back, but not the Skywalk. We decided to go to the zoo this morning and walk around. Then walked the Skywalk. These are permanent walkways among the redwoods. They certainly give you a different perspective being up there. While we are not at the top of the trees, more mid-way or at the bottom third mark, you see things differently.

Seems like I have done some skywalks recently. There were the urban skywalks in Minneapolis, and these among the redwoods. Sherri reminded me that there was one in Atlanta as well at their botanical gardens. Upon reflection, I think I like walking among the redwoods the best. Each has their redeeming factors.

Forest View from Skywalk

We came home and had lunch. I took a nap-the body needed it. Sherri watched a movie, The Seven Dials, an Agatha Christie mystery. David and I decided to go for a walk at McKay Tract. When I looked for Sherri, she was asleep.

So David and I went by ourselves to McKay. We got to the parking lot about 3:15. To start with, we walked the Perimeter Trail. We did this in reverse from before. David and I talked about things-you know how brothers talk. Kevin, David’s good friend, called him, describing how he got injured. David and Kevin talked for a while. A good thing is that David slowed down while talking with him, so I did not get into my huff and puff mode. Once the conversation ended, David and I resumed talking. I noted that my left knee has arthritis and at times can have pain when ascending, such as going up stairs. He suggested a knee brace, such as what Rachel suggested a couple of weeks ago in Minnesota.

Gary playing wingspan

Sherri  in the Park's Garden

We made it home by 4:15. Sherri is now up. By 5, David has dinner on the table-a repeat of last night. Sherri says that this is not left overs. All which I know is that I am content. We talked for a while. While David is showering, Sherri and I watch our TV addiction: Jeopardy! Don, David’s friend, and mine, comes over and we talk about an incident which happened to his family involving a bat.

After Don leaves, we sit around, mostly in silence. I take a shower. David goes to bed before I get out. I follow him to my own bed by 10.

July 19, 2026 - Eureka

 Title: July 19, 2026 -  Eureka

Roadside Flowers

Hike Info : Description 

Hike Info:

Type:Walking

Description:

When I went to bed last night, I knew there was some lightning to report on. I thought I saw about 15-20 strikes, but they must have been old, because this morning there were only three. Two of them on the upper part of the Middle Fort of the Kings River and one of them just south of Trail Crest. It still took me until 7:30 to finish the report. I think it is mostly a slow lap top.

At 7:30, I had my breakfast. By that time David had come in from this walk. I lounged around for a while. Sherri got up at 8:00. David thinks he will be doing security duty at his church. Sherri and I decided to do YouTube with our church at 10:00. But first, Sherri wants to make a Dutch Brother’s run for some white mocha coffee.

Big Foot Roams the Neighborhood

At 10:05 we start watching the service on First Presbyterian Church. We have been going through Revelation. But this month the various pastors are giving sermons called By the Spirit. Today it is Jon Jo’s turn. I must be tired as I pretty much slept through about 40 minutes of the 60 minutes of church.

Even after church Sherri and I are not active. Finally around 11;55 we went out for a walk. Sherri and I just walked the neighborhood, about 45 minutes worth. When we were almost home, Don and Denise, who live right down the street from David, passed us. They stopped and talked for a while.

When Sherri and I got back, David already had the TV on and was watching the World Cup Finals of Spain vs Argentina. Some people might call this a boring game after all it was scoreless until the early second overtime when Spain scored. Being a former goalie, both David and I appreciated all of the saves the Argentina goalie had. The score against him, he did not have a chance to defend against.

After awhile, David and I went to Safeway and picked up some Tillamook ice cream. After that I laid down for about 45 minutes until dinner. David fixed jambalaya for dinner, then we have our ice cream.

At 6:30, Andrea came on Zoom. Steven was busy with Rachel. We talked for about an hour before Andrea signed off. Then David, Sherri and I read and talked about our 9:30 bed time.

July 18, 2026 - Go to Eureka

 

 

 

Title: July 18, 2026 - Go to Eureka

Hike Info : Description 

Hike Info:

Type: Car

 

Description:

Today is the start of our planned 17 day trip to Canada which includes a stop at my brother’s place in Eureka and our daughters in Salem. We will spend a week in Canada on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. It will be a long trip with lots of miles driving.

I got up at 6 and looked for lightning-there was none. I do tell the lightning report recipients that I will be traveling for the next two plus weeks, Then I have breakfast and move stuff into the car. Sherri moved some of her stuff last night into the car. I throw my stuff in as well. So things are not efficiently or well packed. But neither do they need to be on this portion of the trip. We just need to make sure we have everything in

Sherri is still getting ready, so I take a short walk, made shorter when I talk with one of the neighbors. We have had an old neighbor die and I was letting Steve know a bit more. This led to neighborhood gossip.

By the time we leave it is 9:50. I drove up to Turlock. Turlock is our new stopping place to get the car washed at Costco. It had not been washed since before the dusty road up to Delilah. It needed it. I suspect Sherri did not want to go into Canada with a dirty car.

Traditional Sundae picture on a Saturday

After Costco, Sherri drives to Modesto. A fruit stand which used to be in Turlock is now close to Vintage Fair on Pelandale Road. She stops to get peaches and watermelon.

From the fruit stand, I take over driving to Elk Grove and Leatherby’s. We arrived a few minutes before 1pm. This definitely is a stopping place for us. We each have a Cowboy Bacon and Cheese Burger. Then share a white and tan sundae with a dark chocolate ice cream sundae. It tastes so good!

We stop at the Costco in Elk Grove for gas and continue on with me driving. The tea I had for lunch and the liquids I had while driving hit me and based upon previous experience it is a long way to the Clear Lake rest stops, so we stop at the Dunnigan rest stop outside of Sacramento. Then on to the Lucienne Harbor Park in Clear Lake, about an hour and a half later.

We changed drivers there. Sherri drove out to 101. 101 at that point bounces between being a really fast highway with two lanes in each direction, to a windy two lane road with cars constantly coming at you. Sherri drives to the Empire Camp Rest Stop where I take over driving.

We had thought about stopping at another ice cream place in Loleta called Jersey Scoops. But we got to that place at 8 when it closed. We continued on to David’s house, arriving at 8:30. David is already in bed and asleep. We unpack as quietly as we can. Then do a few things. I get to bed at 10pm. Sherri sees David a few minutes afterwards. They exchanged greetings and then they retired as well.

March 20, 2026 - Eureka

 

Title: March  20, 2026 - Eureka
Hike Info : Description : Animals : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: David’s House

Trail:  Trails and Roads behind his place

Description:

I did not sleep in that long, getting up by 7:15. While I was eating breakfast, Sherri got up. Sort of a repeat of yesterday. After we consumed breakfast, we talked about a range of things, just enjoying each other’s company. There was nothing particular which our conversation wandered to, just the enjoyment with each other.

After a couple hours, I moved outside to enjoy the sunshine. David followed me out after about 20 minutes with a couple of chairs. That leads to more talking and enjoyment. Sherri joins us. By the time we start to break up, it is 12:30. I have my lunch, then go to my after lunch rest. I got up after 1:30.

David wonders if we would like to go for a walk. The options he gave were the forest behind his house, walking around Sequoia Park, or doing a Costco walk. I decided that going behind his house would be enjoyable. Before you say, that seems a bit lame, while not large-looking at Google Earth, the area does seem a lot larger and goes on further than I thought-it is a lush forested area, complete with a tributary of Martin Slough.

 

Sherri descending the steep trail

We left for our walk around 2:00. This walk starts right outside of his backyard. There is a deep ravine, heavily forested. A lumber company once owned it and I think may have logged it. The path slopes down behind several houses, until it bends to the creek below. The creek runs into Martin Slough-I do not think this segment has a name. When it turns towards the creek, there is a steep 40’ drop down a clay bank. If not careful, it would be easy just to slide down rather than step down this section. We all made it down without sliding.

 

David and Sherri ascending

When we crossed the creek the area was muddy, but we were able to get across that area without too much slop on our feet. We came to a dirt road-David said it was an old logging road. It rose up a ways. We came to a Y and David asked which way did we go before? We take the other way, the upper end of the Y. The road is mostly firm, but steep. There are places where it is wet clay. We pick our way through it. The good part is the rise brings us into the sun which is enjoyable. We have seen trillium and Scottish Broom along the way, along with the usual assortment of pines.

 

On top, the rise was more gentle and we walked a ways. David does inform us that it is a way to go if we go back to David’s house via this route. Later on when I look at Google Earth, I think that is an understatement. Even though it seems further, we have only walked a bit more than a mile. At this point we decided to return the way we came. My legs are starting to feel the walk, even though it is only a mile I think the rise is more than they are used to.

We got back to David’s house around 4:00. I rest for an hour while David, being more energetic, gets dinner together. A shower really helps me feel better. David has dinner ready at 5:30. A neighbor had given him some venison and that is the meat for tonight. Pretty tasty. I washed dishes while David showers. Then we watched three episodes of Jeopardy. Then it is time to turn in, about 9:30.

Animals

Banana Slug

Banana Slug

 
Flowers and Plants

Scottish Broom

Skunk Cabbage

Pampas Grass

Pampas Grass

Ferns

March 19, 2026 - Go to Eureka

Title: March  19, 2026 - Go to Eureka

Hike Info : Description 

Hike Info:

Type: Car

From  Google Maps:

• Mileage: 450 miles
• Drive Time: 7:55

Description:

I got up at 6:30 and got a few things ready. Sherri surprises me and gets up while I am finishing up breakfast. I then spend a few minutes moving stuff out to the garage for future loading. I have been slack in getting trust tax information to the CPA to do the taxes for the trust. So I went off to do that at 8:00. When I returned, I helped Steven level sand in our patio area so he could put in pavers while we are gone. Then I load up the car. While the car does not look packed, the back end is full. But then again, I am not really prepared and we are going out for two weeks.

I start off driving. There are no issues on this segment of our drive. What we know for these next two weeks is that we are going up to David’s today in Eureka and staying through Saturday. Then joining Lawrence and Andrea in Bandon until Tuesday. We will follow them back to Salem through the following Saturday, then go down to Roseburg to stay for a couple of days. After that, we do not know. We will return by April 4th.

We talk a few minutes about possibilities, then talk about a variety of things. We do not stop in Turlock at our normal rest stop. Our first stop is in Elk Grove at our regular lunch stop-Leatherby’s. I have a turkey-cheese sandwich while Sherri’s was Jessie’s chicken sandwich. We topped it off by having a mint hot fudge sundae. What a great way to raise my blood sugar levels.

We popped over to Elk Grove’s Costco and filled up. The gas price has definitely gone up: $5.25 per gallon. Sherri then drives at 1:25 while I rest. She goes through Sacramento and Woodland. When we get to Wiliams, Sherri sees a cloud and thinks it is smoke. When we turned onto Highway 20, we saw the source of the smoke: a field was being burned. By the time we hit CLear Lake, Sherri is ready to give up driving for today. We get to a park with a bathroom about 3:45. Sherri drove for over two hours, a lot more than she is used to.

I drove for a bit more than an hour to our next rest stop. There were a couple of interesting things about this segment. First, more interesting to me than probably anybody else. A few miles after I started driving, I noticed a motorcycle with a yellow headlight following me. When I came to a passing lane, I expected the motorcycle to pass me. He did not, but other cars did. This was on Highway 20 and then when we turned onto 101, he followed us, never passing and mostly keeping a set pace behind us. Not sure why he is not passing us. I think there might be one of three things: first, was he feeling comfortable going at our pace and felt safe. Two, I had done something which really ticked him off-I would not have been aware of it. Last, I had done some damage-also not sure what I did. He left before we got to a rest stop.

Once we got onto 101, I was traveling along quite nicely. Sherri had just awoke when I glanced over at the southbound lane. At first I thought it was a man walking, but then I realized he was rolling along, like being on roller blades. I pointed at him for Sherri to see. He thought I was waving at him, which is also nice. I wonder how far he has gone and where he is going?

Our next stop was around 5pm at the Empire Camp Rest Stop. I take this opportunity to stand for awhile. I also get out my personal pharmacy and take my evening pills. After about 15 minutes we are on our way. There is not much more activity as we travel up to David’s. We munch almonds and Catalina Crunch as our snack-meal. We get to David’s a lot earlier than what I thought we would, at 6:45.

Once we unpacked, we sat around and just talked for over an hour. I think we kept David up-I know I was ready to go to bed and sleep. I got to bed about 9:30 and was asleep by 10:00, not even bothering to read more than just a few pages.

Places: CA-Eureka

 

 

 

Eureka-66' (Eureka) (40.7971476, -124.1544204 )
Legal: T__S, R__E, Sec__

Eureka Channel-0' (Eureka) (40.8054043, -124.1750622)
Legal: T__S, R__E, Sec__

Eureka Slough-0' (Eureka) (40.8042930, -124.1786734 )
Legal: T__S, R__E, Sec__ 

Description : Trips : References : Pictures 


Description:

From Wikipedia: Eureka is the largest coastal city between San Francisco and Portland, Oregon and the westernmost city of more than 25,000 residents in the 48 contiguous states.The proximity to the sea causes the city to have an extremely maritime climate with very small annual temperature differences and seasons mainly being defined by the rainy winters and dry summers, whereas nearby inland areas are much hotter in summer.

 
Trips:

• September 22, 23, 2021 - Coming back from Grand Teton and Oregon
• January 20, 21, 22, 23, 2022 - Time with David
• August 1, 2, 3, 4, 2022 - Time with David
• August 12, 13, 14, 2023 - Going to Andrea's and the Oregon Coast 
•  September 25, 26, 27, 2024 - Time with David
•  September 24, 25, 26, 27, 2025 - Going to Moriah's Wedding
• March 19, 20, 21, 2026 - Time with David before joining Andrea and Lawrence 
• July 18, 19, 20, and 21, 2026 - Visited David, went to the Zoo before going to Salem 

References:

• Wikipedia
• City of Eureka
• Visit Eureka
• Visit Redwoods
•  

Pictures:

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