Northbound

The trip north to British Columbia started in San Diego county California on the morning of July 10th. Myself and Paul and Sigrid Bundy of Escondido in their '32 roadster started the journey under overcast skies. Our route will take us primarily along the Pacific coast through the length of California, Oregon and Washington. This is one of the most scenic drives in America and every time I do it, I'm anxious for the next opportunity. Our overnight stops will be in Morro Bay, Healdsburg (Sonoma county, and Eureka, California; Astoria, Oregon (on the south bank of the Columbia River); and, Port Angeles, Washington (on the Straits of Juan De Fuca). Along the way we would be joined by other drivers and I'll introduce them as we go.

We got thru Los Angeles painlessly and hit the southern terminus of US Hwy 101 in Encino. We'd be the length of Hwy 101 for this entire northbound leg with few exceptions. We made our first meal stop at the Cold Spring Tavern in the Santa Ynez Mountains on the north side of Santa Barbara. The Tavern has been in existence since 1865 and served as a stage stop. Today it still serves a great meal and adult beverages. My wife Sue Ann and I often motorcycled there on Sundays when we lived in the Los Angeles area. It's a haven for bikers and other travelers, even though it's off the beaten path.

On to our first overnight stay - Morro Bay. Morro Bay is famous for having a big friggin' rock in it, appropriately named "Morro Rock".

I drove to the base of the rock and spotted a pickup truck that was converted to a camper. This in itself isn't unusual, but I thought that the nautical motif was carried through exceptionally well. I was assured by the owner that no drugs or alcohol were involved in the creation of this masterpiece. (right)