What's Over That Rainbow?

This was likely an unprecedented lapse in posting, namely over a month. Mark it up, partly at least, to the intensity of gardening and yardwork, due to more planting than in recent years and attempts to combat unfamiliar heat and drought.

And, oh yes, there was that nearly two weeks of on-the-road-again. Me and the missus are just back from a driving expedition that traversed Oregon twice, apogeed in Little River on the coast just south of Mendocino, and somehow managed to emulsify the off-the-beaten-path aspects I favor and the malls, shopping, and civilization so dear to others. You have to keep stirring (with vigor!) to keep the Vacation Vinagrette in proper form, but, in principle, it can be done.

I have designs on a trip post or two, but have learned that the more expansive they are the less likely they are to come to fruition. I'm thinking I have a still-unfinished post on last year's vacation, partly overlapping this year's adventures. I recall crafting a map as well as starting account of the trip but doubt it got to full draft category.

So this is one alternative. Terse version, with a few pictures, and possibility that something more elaborate may evolve later. We did drive a fair amount of interstate highway, with regrets. But that is the price to pay for aiming to get far from home with a limited calendar. We swung through Salem, cajoled Sean and Mara to the coast for a day on the sand and gourmet dinner, then headed south for redwoods and more beaches while they regrettably headed back to the grindstone. Trees at least lived up to their reputation, beaches and views of same largely occluded by fog pulled in by scorching inland conditions. Of seven or so nights on the coast, probably at most three involved truly starry skies. I do have some pics of beach-vistas, but blue skies and properly warm summer temps were rare.

We made our way home via a combination of obscure and multi-lane, angling against the grain in search of clear skies northeast across northern Cal and up the east side of the Cascades to eventually meet up again with Mara and Sean last Sunday. We even found some gravel road.

Eric had the tough job, dealing with three dogs, all-time record heat here (103F on July 29), and more yard and garden to tend than any one person should be faced with. He was seemingly unflappable. In our absence we passed from pea to bean season (there had been overlap just before departure). We have a bumper blueberry crop as well. And the tomatoes are starting to get serious about ripening.