Our new place :)

We have reached our final destination...

Here's the view from our new balcony!

We made it to Seattle!

And it's raining...ya pacific northwest

An Hour Away from Home!

Picking up some supplies before the final drive to Bothell. The suspense is killing us!

Sent from my iPhone

We made it to Oregon!

Giant trunk.

And I ain't talking about Dumbo!

History Lesson.

Pay attention, folks.

Now that...

...is a crab burger!

This could have been a day from Hell.

But it wasn't!

Lets backtrack a tad!

Yesterday was a span of sadness, awe and horror. I will cover each emotion in painstaking detail. Toss that bag of popcorn in the nuker; you're in for long haul.

Left from San Diego yesterday rather early. I wish I was able to spend some more time with my brother one-on-one, but there will be time for that. We did have a nice artichoke pizza with beer at Mission Beach, followed by some ice cream and a nice walk along the boardwalk and through a carnival. Got to meet Vicky and her three awesome kids too! Can't wait to hang with them more!

Onward to Irvine to meet PJ Haarsma, the founder of Kids Need to Read. Our furry friend, the Bachak, has reached the end of his journey and is now in an awesome author's hands. It was a fantastic time we had with him and a great chance to get some more exposure for the organization. Going to miss that furball! And our friend Amanda should be proud for making such a kickass doll! I owe her alot!

Next stop was Carmel Valley, outside of Salinas. Lara got to pick where we were going and where we were staying and she made some brave choices. Our bed and breakfast stay was at the Blue Sky Lodge. Well, bed at least. They don't make breakfast, but they made up for their culinary inexperience with friendly felines!

We gassed up last night so we could escape earlier in the morning. When walking out of the gas station, there were four teens (three guys and a girl) eyeballing Priscilla's license plate! I thought these punks were ready for a fight, and I had headbutts on standby! No one expects a headbutt anymore!

Making a mountain out of a molehill, as I sometimes do, the kids were harmless! In fact, they were high as kites! We chit-chatted a bit before they recommended a restaurant down the street for us to dine so late. The Village Fish House offered some tasty salmon and crab and cheese ravioli with local wine and beer. Was a stellar end to a long day.

This morning, after waking in the Carmel Valley's version of the Bates Motel (moths everywhere!), we stopped down the street at a coffee shoppe and had some amazing treats to start the day (mocha coffee and lox for me, breakfast quiche and veggie juice mix for L). We were at the start of wine country and our trek back to the highway was a gorgeous one.

Now, Lara HAD to see some of California's Route 1, better known as the Pacific Coast Highway...you know, the winding roads atop tall cliffs that you see cars driving over at the end if movies (Innerspace, to name one). While it looks good in the cinema, I must say I deserve my stuntman's license after this ordeal. While it took us 1 1/2 to 2 hours out of the way (our GPS countdown timer actually started going in reverse), the views were phenomenal and I will admit now, I enjoyed the driving challenge (and I think Priscilla did too).

Problem was, and a big source of my frustration, was that we were due for 7.5 hours of driving prior to the excursion to the coast, so now we were in for close to 10 hrs, a real push in this drive of endurance we have been on for almost two weeks. We had a pit stop in Petaluma, CA, which we wouldn't have discovered if not for the now-infamous "Detour." It was a fun little mill town, rejuvenated with the help of some ritzy folks.

The journey continued onto the Redwood highway; where the hilly grass plains sprouted giant trees tall enough to block out the sun in some sections of the 101. We passed the Legend of Bigfoot attraction, but refused to stop for fear of me being put up on display!

8PM rolled around and we were 45 minutes away from Eureka, CA, but I had to stop. The closest exit was for a town called Scotia, saying it had a gas station and a place to eat. What we found instead was an entire town contained to six tiny square blocks, an old train on display along with one of the widest trunks of a tree I have ever seen! I befriended a cat that actually ran to me, as if I was meant to be there! To complete my Dr. Doolittle fantasy, four ducks wandered along the side of the road, stopping not five feet from me. They knew I didn't have any food so the charade was up. After they stopped on the middle of the road, pondering where to graze next, I chased them to safety.

And now to Eureka, where I finally got to meet a great friend I have known for three years: Anne and her husband Phil! They met us at a nice sushi place on the waterfront, where I ordered a crab burger that was shaped exactly like a crab! It was awesome and the company better! We have breakfast planned at an organic locale known for it's crepes about 7 miles away. Best run off to bed now so I can taste one faster!

Northern California...

This state is HUGEE - It never ends!

We spent last night in Carmel Valley, CA in anticipation of taking the Pacific highway to our next stop in Eureka, CA.

The lodge in Carmel Valley was clean albeit circa 1960 and of course Andrew had to add that it had a similar atmosphere to the Bates motel! Super...but we encountered teenage natives while pumping gas who directed us to a nice place for a late dinner.  After reading the local paper, I was made even more uneasy given a recent suicide attempt and assault.  inow I can see how Arnold was elected govenor of CA!  Yet we made it out alive and the 40 degree evening temps were quite a shock - in a good way. Breakfast was delicious at a local coffee shop called The Wild Goose. I had a yummy quiche with veggie juice freshly made with local kale, carrots, spinach, and beets topped off with some ginger.  It was quite good - hoping it keeps my immune system in check the next few days.

We have come along way and it's starting to catch up to us. Hence the infrequent postings but that's also due to lack of internet access.

California has everything from oil rigs to vineyards and pear tree farms, fields of various berries and almonds to olive oil and oranges!  It is quite amazing the monopoly it has on food production given the vast climates. It was interesting to see acres of land owned by Valero with oil pipelines adjacent to fields with almonds owned by the Pacific Almond company. p>

It has been quite the day - a true test of our patience...well I must admit moreso Andrew's as he's been the pilot on this journey. I have deep admiration for truck drivers...the true road tripper!

We veered off the GPS path to find our selves dipping and turning on Route 1 within the Muir woods and Marin county.

Driving near the ocean was indescrible - in more ways than one! I am sure Andrew's knuckles are white from gripping the steering will so tightly.

Well we've spanned most of CA in 2 days on to see one of Andrew's friends in a small coastal town called Eureake for the night. Then the final push into Oregon tomorrow with the arrival to our new home on Saturday.

Personalized Messages...

... on the roads of Carmel Valley, CA

Hasta luego San Diego...

San Diego was a nice break from the high temperatures we've experienced throughout the trip.  We spent our time checking out the seaport and spending time with Andrew's brother and his clan.  Last night Drew's birthday was honored with beachside pizza and beer followed by scrumptious ice cream!

Andrew took a break from blogging but will be back in full force later today.  He has some fun pics to share as well.

We are making our way to the Los Angeles area to bring our friend, the bachak, to his creator. Then it's off to an inn in Carmel Valley.  I can't believe we are more than halfway to our new home...plans for decorating are brewing - hitting up freecycle.org !

More updates and photos of the West coast to come...

East coast...

to West coast!!

A fine motto...

Found this coffee mug in San Diego, I believe fate is trying to tell me something :)

My new best friend...

...known as Snots!!

There and Back Again...

Today was killer. Not Dexter killer, but seriously awesome! The morning was kicked off with a latte from our new friend Teresa, who was kind enough to let us use her guest room for the night. The night previous, she showed me one of the best Castle episodes of Season 2. Gosh, I need to get back into that series. One step at a time. First, I need to get to or current residence... but I didn't notice Season 2 staring at me in Wal-Mart and Target in passing. Plus, who can pass up Stana Katic?


After we packed, we headed into downtown Mesa. The heat was not bad at all, since there was no humidity and by the time I sweat, it dried and got soaked up into the air. We ransacked The Kids Need to Read office, finally getting to meet Debbie and Denise in person! I have known Denise for roughly 3 years through Can't Stop the Serenity and Browncoats: Redemption and no matter which conventions we attended in those years, they were never the same one! Nevertheless, it was a great moment! They've been loving the movement with the Bachak as much as we have enjoyed producing it. While I know we won't raise alot of money for the organization through the Bachak campaign (though some Thompsons have already donated, wink wink), we're at least pleased that it has spread some further awareness for KNTR. Its a wonderful charity and one I feel needs to stay around for a lot longer. It has the most crazy and most dedicated staff I've seen in a non-profit!

After lunch with Denise, we got off to a late start into the desert. We jibber-jabbered forever, but it was amazingly worthwhile on all fronts so leaving an hour behind our schedule wasn't phasing. The landscapes that greeted us along the desert were some of the most beautiful pieces of America that I have seen in this trip. I never thought a piece of land so raw and unforgiving could possess such magnetism. Crossing into California, we were reminded at two border patrol check points that we were "a long way from home." As much as I love the icebreaker, its getting old. What's next, a "nice shoes" line?

The Cuyamaca and Laguna mountain ranges were spectacular and we crossed through them at the start of dusk. Made for some mesmerizing images!

And now we're here in sunny, temperate San Diego at my brother Greg's place! Time for some sleep before this laptop burns out from not being plugged in. We have a nice day of nothing scheduled for tomorrow, aside from waking up and going out to dinner for my birthday! Chat with you in the AM!

My travel companion...

Our friend, the Bachak, has accompanied us across the US to find his creator.  Check out the link at the top of the blog. Under Helpful Links and click on"Get the Bachak to PJ" to see his stops along the route.

Devil's canyon

Sand dunes!

Sand dunes in California!! Reminds me of Spaceballs :)

Taking the...to...

Crossed the Arizona and California border!  Spent the morning in Mesa, AZ at the Kids Need to Read (www.kidsneedtoread.org) office where the temperature broke well above 100.

We are on our way to San Diego to see Andrew's brother and his clan. Excited to spend a day with them! 

Lots of desert and cacti between AZ and CA. Just passed through historic Yuma, AZ...

We have reached the West coast - cannot believe it.  Should be quite an adventure up the western seaboard...

I jumped ship!

I was going strong writing every night for the blog and I caved last night! S'ok, though, just need to double my efforts today! Yesterday was memorable; driving up and down mountains, some whacky turns and taking pictures with elaborate stuffed animals! AND my first taste of a Sonic lunch. I was expecting more sadly, but then again, it's just fast food. I didn't gave any ice cream, so there is chance for redemption.

Stayed with an awesome couple who are friends of KNTR and I got to get thrown back into watching some Castle. All man-crushes aside, I have been starting to miss Fillion's face! Fell off the wagon around the middle of Season 2, and haven't had a chance to pick it back up again. When Target or Amazon has a sale, I am there!

Going to be a fun day. Need to shower, get breakfast, invade the Kids Need to Read offices, then head to lunch, then cruise through the desert again to San Diego to see my brother and his family! You all take care!

Descent into the canyon...

Cacti and windy roads as we make our qay into Phoenix!

Mountains, grass, and trees...in Arizona!

Now this is a part of Arizona where I could live! Sedona is breathtaking...

Navajo nation and Arizona border...

Checked out a local Navajo jewelry and art stop...Andrew of course gravitated to the "stuffed" animals for a photo op!

We just passed the Arizona border - one last time change.  It is nice to gain time along the trip!

Seen several Native American reservations in shambles - my heart aches thinking of how the country has treated those to which it originally belonged.

The weather is gorgeous...in the 80s with a breeze and sun as far as the eye can see.