United States of America
6 May 2022 Friday
Tecate: After joining a long queue along 'The Wall' we finally left Mexico and entered the US without any evidence in our passport or paperwork for the truck. On asking for an entry stamp into the US the official said we already had one on 22 March, our arrival at LAX, and we were fine until 21 September. This did not allow for the more than 6 weeks we had just spent in Mexico. It didn't matter to us this time as we were going home and wouldn't be travelling more than another 6 weeks.
As we had not shipped the Bee into the US we learnt it would be very difficult to get the right documentation to ship out, so we decided to ship from Vancouver, Canada - a little more sightseeing and driving! The forms we had printed were not able to be submitted. We were told to do it elsewhere and arrange an interview the DMV office in Los Angeles. A Canadian departure it will be!
Tecate: After joining a long queue along 'The Wall' we finally left Mexico and entered the US without any evidence in our passport or paperwork for the truck. On asking for an entry stamp into the US the official said we already had one on 22 March, our arrival at LAX, and we were fine until 21 September. This did not allow for the more than 6 weeks we had just spent in Mexico. It didn't matter to us this time as we were going home and wouldn't be travelling more than another 6 weeks.
As we had not shipped the Bee into the US we learnt it would be very difficult to get the right documentation to ship out, so we decided to ship from Vancouver, Canada - a little more sightseeing and driving! The forms we had printed were not able to be submitted. We were told to do it elsewhere and arrange an interview the DMV office in Los Angeles. A Canadian departure it will be!
Our first camp in the US was at Cuyamacha Ranch State Park
First stop the Cuyamacha Ranch State Park. The area looked green and healthy but with few large cedars. In 2003 more than 98% of the park burned and due to the intensity of the fires 98% of the conifers and their seeds were lost. Plantings have since taken place.
The campground seemed to have the few tall trees.
The campground seemed to have the few tall trees.
7 May Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
On Saturday morning we dropped in to see the very popular quaint tourist destination of Julian. A bit too busy for our liking but we had a nice lunch there. Driving north towards the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park the scenery changed dramatically but still interesting. The wind began to blow hard.
These metal sculptures were made by Ricardo Breceda at the request of a local estate owner.; Breceda has created 130 structures and claims to have finished. Time out for some fun action shots with the sculptures for our granddaughter.
On Saturday morning we dropped in to see the very popular quaint tourist destination of Julian. A bit too busy for our liking but we had a nice lunch there. Driving north towards the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park the scenery changed dramatically but still interesting. The wind began to blow hard.
These metal sculptures were made by Ricardo Breceda at the request of a local estate owner.; Breceda has created 130 structures and claims to have finished. Time out for some fun action shots with the sculptures for our granddaughter.
8 - 12 May Anza Borrego to Santa Cruz
We drove east to pick up the main highway through Palm Springs then towards the coast north of Los Angeles.
East of Anza Borrego Park is Salton City on the edge of the Salton Sea which lies on the San Andreas fault, 71metres below sea level. The current lake was formed by man from an accidental inflow of water in 1905. It would have dried up but grew further over the years from generous farming runoff to became a tourist destination and a resting place for birds on the Pacific Flyway. Contamination from farm runoff caused massive die-offs of fish and birds. Tourism plummeted. Improved farming practices with less runoff meant the lake began to shrink from 1999. As the lake bed has been exposed toxic chemicals have blown ove neighbouring communities. A management program began in early 2021.
We drove east to pick up the main highway through Palm Springs then towards the coast north of Los Angeles.
East of Anza Borrego Park is Salton City on the edge of the Salton Sea which lies on the San Andreas fault, 71metres below sea level. The current lake was formed by man from an accidental inflow of water in 1905. It would have dried up but grew further over the years from generous farming runoff to became a tourist destination and a resting place for birds on the Pacific Flyway. Contamination from farm runoff caused massive die-offs of fish and birds. Tourism plummeted. Improved farming practices with less runoff meant the lake began to shrink from 1999. As the lake bed has been exposed toxic chemicals have blown ove neighbouring communities. A management program began in early 2021.
Very strong northwest winds were howling across from the desert as we drove north, sandblasting the cars in Palm Springs and too much for the wind turbines which were idled.
Guy had been trying to organise new tyres for the Bee, but finding 5 tyres was proving impossible. A tyre shop in San Luis Obispo could get them in at the lowest outrageous price we could find, so we headed off. An overnight in an overcrowded truck stop in Victorville and another south of Bakersfield followed, hundreds of semi's and more than a few of America's homeless. We often enjoy our truck stop overnights but these were a bit depressing. On arrival in San Luis Obispo we're told "Sorry, the tyres won't arrive for a week, not tomorrow!" So, we head up to the Hearst San Simeon State Park to mull it over.
As we were leaving in the morning we received a call from the tyre shop advising that the tyres had arrived! Excellent, we drove back to get them and enjoy the quaint university town of San Luis Obispo. On our new go faster tyres we headed north to Santa Cruz to meet up with a friend we had first met on a camping tour through South America in 1986/87.
We very much enjoyed the break with good company in the Santa Cruz - Capitola area.
Guy had been trying to organise new tyres for the Bee, but finding 5 tyres was proving impossible. A tyre shop in San Luis Obispo could get them in at the lowest outrageous price we could find, so we headed off. An overnight in an overcrowded truck stop in Victorville and another south of Bakersfield followed, hundreds of semi's and more than a few of America's homeless. We often enjoy our truck stop overnights but these were a bit depressing. On arrival in San Luis Obispo we're told "Sorry, the tyres won't arrive for a week, not tomorrow!" So, we head up to the Hearst San Simeon State Park to mull it over.
As we were leaving in the morning we received a call from the tyre shop advising that the tyres had arrived! Excellent, we drove back to get them and enjoy the quaint university town of San Luis Obispo. On our new go faster tyres we headed north to Santa Cruz to meet up with a friend we had first met on a camping tour through South America in 1986/87.
We very much enjoyed the break with good company in the Santa Cruz - Capitola area.
13 - 15 May California North Coast
Our next stop was the Golden Gate Bridge. Just getting there was a tense experience as we are not used to a six lane highway in one direction. Many cars, few trucks, teslas galore and we passed no one despite going 80 - 85 km/hr most of the time. Stressful navigating (don't want to miss an exit) and driving. But we crossed the bridge in beautiful sunshine and turned off to admire the Bay with San Francisco, Bay Bridge, Alcatraz and of course the Golden Gate Bridge looking stunning under blue skies.
Our next stop was the Golden Gate Bridge. Just getting there was a tense experience as we are not used to a six lane highway in one direction. Many cars, few trucks, teslas galore and we passed no one despite going 80 - 85 km/hr most of the time. Stressful navigating (don't want to miss an exit) and driving. But we crossed the bridge in beautiful sunshine and turned off to admire the Bay with San Francisco, Bay Bridge, Alcatraz and of course the Golden Gate Bridge looking stunning under blue skies.
16 - 21 May Oregon Coast to Astoria
We chose to drive the coast road all the way north into Oregon. Beautiful coastal scenery, redwood forests, lighthouses and thick fog but mostly that came later in the afternoon. The constant strong headwinds made travelling very noisy with a steady roar from the sun visor; it's time up. Guy removed the visor and and stone guard off and we now have a fresh panoramic field of view.
We chose to drive the coast road all the way north into Oregon. Beautiful coastal scenery, redwood forests, lighthouses and thick fog but mostly that came later in the afternoon. The constant strong headwinds made travelling very noisy with a steady roar from the sun visor; it's time up. Guy removed the visor and and stone guard off and we now have a fresh panoramic field of view.
The beautiful coastline continued into Oregon with the addition of some huge sand dunes, sunbathing seals, redwood forests, more lighthouses, quaint villages, tourist shops and antique stores. Americans have been very curious and upfront with questions and compliments about the truck (What is it?....automobile culture?). We have had more interest voiced about the truck here than we have had anywhere else during our travels. People are always polite.
20 - 24 May Astoria and the Columbia River Gorge
Astoria stands at the mouth of the Columbia River a few kilometres from where the huge river and the forces of the Atlantic meet. Sandbars constantly moving at the mouth of the river, gale force winds and huge seas add to the danger for ships, large and small to enter. The Colombia River Maritime Museum in Astoria told of rescues by the Coast Guard in the area.
In Astoria we visited interesting art galleries and antique stores.
Astoria stands at the mouth of the Columbia River a few kilometres from where the huge river and the forces of the Atlantic meet. Sandbars constantly moving at the mouth of the river, gale force winds and huge seas add to the danger for ships, large and small to enter. The Colombia River Maritime Museum in Astoria told of rescues by the Coast Guard in the area.
In Astoria we visited interesting art galleries and antique stores.
Time for a change of scenery as we follow the Columbia River upstream beyond Portland to the gorge. Waterfalls, Bonneville Dam complex and magnificent scenery.
After visiting a couple of waterfalls we crossed over to the Bonneville Lock and Dam complex, one of the largest hydro electric systems in the world. It is owned by the US Army Corps of Engineers and consists of two powerhouses. It is the first of six dams as you travel upstream.
Although we were unable to go through the hydro station we had an underwater view of the fish run where the number and type of fish travelling upstream is counted manually!
After visiting a couple of waterfalls we crossed over to the Bonneville Lock and Dam complex, one of the largest hydro electric systems in the world. It is owned by the US Army Corps of Engineers and consists of two powerhouses. It is the first of six dams as you travel upstream.
Although we were unable to go through the hydro station we had an underwater view of the fish run where the number and type of fish travelling upstream is counted manually!
And then there are always beautiful birds.
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25 - 30 May Olympic Peninsula
We camped just outside South Bend and woke to see the oyster boats going out to check their racks. A chance glance up a hill and we discovered the heritage listed Pacific County Courthouse (below). Overcast, cold, wet and windy temperatures were not conducive to a lot of exploring. 
Pacific County Courthouse, a national historic place.
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Oyster boat
South Bend
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We drove the Quinault Loop around the Lake and up the Hoh Valley. Green old growth forest, waterfalls, mossy rocks, mossy trees and very quiet. Our forest camp was next to a small stream where amazing little birds called dippers were walking along the bottom of the stream foraging.
More lush, moss laden temperate forest awaited us at the Hoh Rainforest where we walked along the Hall of Mosses Trail and the Spruce Nature walk. We decided to give the 54km Hoh Trail a miss. it was very damp and cold although the surroundings would have been stunning.
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Forks
Stopped at Forks to get wifi to confirm and pay for our changed tickets home. Now we are departing Vancouver BC on 20 June. The truck will be dropped off on 15 June. But for those Twilight fans a couple of familiar vehicles? |
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Sekiu is on the north west coast in Callum county. And we arrived the day the halibut season was opening. lots of small boats returning to the harbour. It would be pretty brutal in the cold wet and windy conditions beyond but that didn't keep the numbers down. The camping facilities were quite full. That's Canada in the distance. |
Sekiufishermen returning from Day 1 of the halibut season.
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31 May
The weather was too poor to drive up to Hurricane Ridge to see the snow capped peaks of the Olympic Mountains. However on our departure from Port Angeles for Victoria we were treated to a partial view of them as the cloud cleared.
The weather was too poor to drive up to Hurricane Ridge to see the snow capped peaks of the Olympic Mountains. However on our departure from Port Angeles for Victoria we were treated to a partial view of them as the cloud cleared.
Our adventure in the Bee is almost over as we leave the USA for Canada, our last country prior to shipping back to Australia.