April 22 - Bandon by the Sea

Today’s hike was very different from all our other hikes. We walked the beach for about 2 miles. It was very windy but Lenny and Reuben still walked. Waves were crashing. 

And did I say just how windy it was ...

Back to the camper for lunch. Then more exploring. 

The campground owners told us about a place we could hike with the dogs (Lost Lake) so away we went. It was a coastal forest. Very different than anything we had hiked before ... some forest and some dunes. 

On our way back we saw the famous cranberry bogs. The town of Bandon has the largest supply of cranberries. There is an Ocean Spray plant just up the road from our campground. 

Time for a sunset. 

April 20-21 - leave Auburn and head north

Bittersweet - time to leave Auburn and head north. It was fun spending time with the kids and seeing where they live, work and play. 

As we were going north, we could see this huge mountain with snow on it. It is Mt Shasta. Here is a pic of it far away and then a closer one. 

Made it to Grants Pass, Oregon. Now I’ve visited all 50 states. 

Campground we stayed in was nice within walking distance of downtown BUT road noise was really bad. 

Good news is we got up early and found a quilt shop as we hiked downtown for a little exercise. Jordan’s Quilt shop was NICE!

But it was time to keep going north. The ride was gorgeous winding through the mountains at a high speed of 35-40 MPH

Ended up in Bandon, a small coastal town that had the best clam chowder. Yum!  

Walked the beach. Lenny had so much fun... Reuben not so much. He has his PSU sweater on that Kerry gave him but he still was cold! 

Wind was blowing, hence my wind-swept hairdo!

Heading out for a walk around the campground to work off some of that clam chowder. 

Sunset over the water - nite all. 

April 19 - hiking and dinner with Drew and Erin

Today’s hike took us to a new place near Folsom, called Granite Bay. 

Very different landscape but the boys could be off leash again so we all got a nice hike. 

More wildflowers. 

After a 4.5 mile hike, we headed to Drew and Erin’s for dinner. Drew’s colleague from North Carolina, Marina, was there. We had a nice time catching up with her. Since weather was so nice, we were able to eat outside. BUT forgot to take any pics. 

April 18 - hiking and Shan and Carl’s new house

I am so glad I have such faithful followers that they call to ask why I haven’t blogged for a couple days. Well, it’s because we used up all our data. Can you imagine that!  Usually we use about 3 percent of our data but since we left and used the maps on our phones, we’ve used over 10 percent!  

Today’s  hike took us back to the Regional Park in Auburn but we took a different trail, Poppy Lane to South Legacy. The boys had fun sniffing. And Reuben walked most of the 3.5 miles!

Look at this cute bridge. Almost seems like there should be a troll underneath, doesn’t it. 

Wildflowers were out here, too. So delicate. 

After the hike, we had a real treat. We got to see Shan and Carl’s new house. We love it. 

Can’t wait to see it after they make it there’s. 

Then dinner at 3 Forks Brewery and goodbyes to Shan and Carl. 

April 17 - hiking in Auburn, REI, and dinner with Shan

Today we hiked to Auburn Regional Park. Trails all over. Dogs could be off leash AND Reuben hiked about 3 miles. Most he has walked since his teeth got infected. I think he surprised himself as much as us!

One of the trails led us to hidden falls. Water was rushing. 

Lenny loved being off leash and exploring. 

The hillside was pretty with the green grass and the California Poppies all over. 

The colors on these flowers caught my eye. Purple lupine and maroon clover   

April 15 and 16

April 14

We went to the Table UMC again. They continued the discussion of the movie Ladybird. The pastors are very good at relating the movie to the scriptures. 

Wafted church Drew and Erin took us to a brewery for lunch and then to the Michael David winery. The weather was beautiful and we were able to sit outside and relax in their gardens. 

As we left Drew and Erin’s place we saw this rainbow. 

April 15

The weather turned cold and rainy and as we headed up to spend time with Shan, there were snowflakes ... yikes. 

Shan and I went shopping in Nevada City and Grass Valley. Then we made shrimp scampi in the Instant Pot. Recipe is a keeper. 

April 14 - snow shoeing in the Sierra Nevadas

Bill and I have had snow shoes for a couple of years but we haven’t experienced anything like snow shoeing in the Sierra Nevadas. It was beautiful with blue skies and bright sun. 

We weren’t sure whether Lenny would like to hike in the snow but he kept right up with Bandit and Milo. It was an experience for all of us. Reuben of course rode in his backpack but this time Shannon carried him because I wouldn’t have made it up the mountain very far if I had to carry him. 

Ate dinner in Truckee at a great burger and beer place.