The Aftermath

It's all over.... It's hard to put this trip into a concise summary due to the length and scope of the journey. I was gone for six weeks and travelled thousands of miles, hundreds of destinations, and multiple states. I saw animals on the land, in the air, and in the sea. I went through hot, warm, cold, dry, humid, and wet. I interacted with young and old, mean and kind, and rich and poor people. I don't think this journey changed me, but it did open my eyes to what a beautiful and diverse country we live in. I'm already looking forward to getting back to some of the places I visited as well as some of the spots I missed along the way. 

By the Numbers:

Time: 6 weeks

Miles Driven: 6,189

Gallons of gas: 380

Countries: 2

States: 9

Questions... Leave me a comment

SLO to home

Firestone Grill in San Luis Obispo for some BBQ

Didn't see L. Ron Hubbard

???

Dirty Hippie

Stasia beaming because we were in Laguna Beach, home of her favorite tv shows Laguna Beach and The Hills

Mi Amiga 

Final meal 

Final dump

Big Sur

What a drive through Big Sur! The sea life was very active... Lots of bait balls. We were delighted to see a couple whales having a blast jumping out of the water... So much so, we initially thought they were dolphins.

Some random spot

Hijinx at Julie Pfeifer falls

Elephant seals galore

Monterrey and Carmel

We lodged in Watsonville for the night and then hopped back on the 1. First stop was Monterrey. We went down to the Fishermen's wharf for some breakfast at Crepes of Brithany then washed it down with some clam chowder.

From there we made way to Carmel... Home of former mayor, Clint Eastwood. I don't want to say it was the best or nicest, but it truly was a special place. I can't really explain it and the pictures won't do it justice, but it's worth a look if you haven't been before.

View from our parking spot

That may be Pebble Beach in the background?

Stephanie wanted everyone to know that she does have other sweatshirts besides this one and its clean

Head South Young Man

Olive and crew began the journey back home hugging route 1. First stop, Santa Cruz. We talked about going on rides, but instead chose to sustain life: deep fried Oreos, caramel nut apples, and Thai food with an ocean view.

Fun for all ages

Deep fried Oreo was good, but maybe we should have gone with the Twinkie?

These two were right at home

Scariest thing I've seen since the grizzly bear on our trail in the Tetons

Around the corner from this sleeping beauty was crazy game of king of the dock.... Size won every time

Bay Area day 2, Electric Bugaloo

Today we hit Union Square, Chinatown, North Beach, and the Golden Gate Bridge

The Easy Leaves were a pleasant surprise. Check them out if you're into folky stand up bass and slide guitar... Or people who rock trucker hats

The best Chinatown this side of China

Angry garlic at the Stinking Rose

The caped crusader finally revealed his true identity

My favorite watering hole in all the land

Stasia likey

SacTown and Bay Area

The good vibrations and warm relaxation continued as we visited my old college pals. Got to see Godchild number 2 and her brother.

Jason is now the largest person to set foot in the Olive Express... An honor previously held by...

Trying to locate some Cherry Garcia in the Haight

Da bridge

We drove this puppy in reverse

My girls 

Painted Ladies, aka Full House

The Farm

Stephanie has some terrific friends. We visited The Farm, Justin and Smita's new home in Sebastapol. We really had a wonderful time and I feel lucky to have them in our lives. Joe, Michelle, Nathan, James, Leda, and Morehead joined in the festivities and made it great!

Smita learning me on growing Pinot Noir Grapes

I helped clean up one row of 40 plants. I am still not sure what I am supposed to do

Too many cooks.... Never!

Happy Birthday Leda (sorry for the spelling)

Vineyards for days....

Crater Lake... I think???

I'm fried. We have been humping it from Newport to Crater Lake to now Leggett, California. We really wanted to see the Deep Blue Lake, but the fires crushed the view. Getting there was a scenic route along the Umpqua and later Rogue Rivers. We stopped at a Sonic Burger in either White City (yes, I saw only whites) or Medford and that was the highlight. We zipped through Crescent City, Humboldt, and the Avenue of the Giants, and even passed by Reggae on the River... I always wondered where that was and no we didn't get a contact high. I passed the keys for the first time on the trip. Stephanie may strangle me. Did I mention I was fried?

Crater Lake... I swear

It's the little things

There it is!

I want to meet the designer of this sign

Some say that he was born with a beard