California to Colorado June 17, 2012

This year we did something very different as we did an itenerary, it was in our thought and not on paper.   Sue and I always said our plans are written in pencil to be able to make changes as we go.  Our plans included an early start on Sunday the 17th, it was to leave before 8 am and head to Stockton to get onto I 5 towards Oregon.  We drive for a few hours and stop to make sure all is well with our Jeep in tow and check the tires and do a walk around.  The first stop was made and it was a short one as when we got out of the air conditioned motorhome we found the outside temp to be in the high 90's and got back in as soon as we could.  We were so happy we left early we got to be ahead of the traffic and able to enjoy the drive and scenery.  A couple of the most beautiful spots in northern California is the Mt Shasta and Lake Shasta areas.  Mt Shasta was snow covered and the lake was just beautiful not many boats out on the lake but a lot of houseboats in the marinas.  

Mt Shasta, CA June 17, 2012

Traveling North I-5 Lake Shasta, Ca June 17, 2012

Lake Shasta, CA. June 17, 2012

We drove into Oregon and spent the night at a state rest stop along the interstate.  Travel was light so it was easy to spend the night there.  We did our normal set up and had supper there.  Our travels on Monday was light until we got into the Olympia area then we broke off and headed out to the west coast of Washington state and headed up to Pacific Beach.  We checked in at Pacific Beach Conference Center, a Navy facility that houses a conference center, RV FAMCAMP, restaurant, small movie theater, bowling alley, gift shop.  Our site was along the back road overlooking the Pacific Ocean.  The park was about 25 miles from the southern end of Olympic National Park Lake Quinault a natural rain forest park.  It has a 31 mile loop road around the lake and has several trails and waterfalls.  Sue and I walked a couple of the trails one that was the Kestner Homestead and the Rain Forest trail only about 2+ miles total.  The old homestead is still there but under reconstruction as funds become available with a few of the out buildings a barn, storage sheds and the fenced in gardens and pastures.  The Rain Forest is so pleasant to walk thru and see some of the wildlife.  We stopped along the loop along the lake and had a picnic and then later stopped at the Lake Quinault Lodge and walked along the lake and campsites to the World's Largest Sitka Spruce Tree.

Rene & Sue at Worlds Largest Spruce Tree Lake Quinault Olympic NP June 19, 2012

Waterfalls Lake Quinault Olympic NP June 19, 2012

Rain Forest Trails Lake Quinault Olympic NP June 19, 2012

Kertsner Homestead Lake Quinault Olympic NP June 19, 2012

Lake Quinault Olympic NP June 19, 2012

We spent the day at Lake Quinault and had a very enjoyable drive around the lake and a picnic.  We planned our travel plans but failed to plan on hiking in the National Parks. As you can see in the pictures the skies were overcast and had a few showers.  But still Lake Quinault was worth seeing and going back.