San Francisco

So we've been bad bloggers but there's an (unfortunate) explanation and (you guessed it) it's bus-related. We're working it out and hope to have the fairy-tale ending come together this afternoon so we can hit the road again but in the meantime we've been beached (quite literally) in Huntington Beach, CA. 

How'd we get this far south? That is the sorry saga of the clutch.

While it took us off our original route, we discovered family in the LA area and are having a blast here while we give the bus a little extra attention and TLC. 

Here are a few photos that Brandon managed to edit before running off to the garage to do more repairs this morning. We've got loads more on the way (and some video). 

The fog of northern California on Hwy 1.

Driving the Pacific Coast Highway

We stopped in Elk. A really adorable town. 

If you ever visit, forget cell phone reception and embrace the views from the coast.

(some coastal cows)

Does this even need a caption? I can't think of one clever enough.

Bleeding the brakes during our visit with the McQueens. 

We biked into San Francisco for a day. 

(Vid to come)

So, after biking the city all afternoon, desperately starved and craving pasteries, 

we found the famous Tartine. 

But they were closed for the weekend. 

 

Biking over this bridge was possibly the coolest thing we did so far. Definitely take this city on by bike. It is super cyclist friendly and riding the "hills" felt good after so much time in the car.

Our friends directed us to the Pelican Inn (near Muir Woods), a really great English restaurant and pub that has a crazy story to go with the delectable fish and chips.

In 1979 an english inkeeper disassembled this 16th century inn and brought it by boat to California. Dinner here was a pretty great consolation prize after missing out on Tartine. It felt veritably English: the brew was good, the fiddle was flying and the fire was warm.

The Redwoods & Route 1

Bus in a Tree!!!

Come to California!

First views of the Pacific at sunset.

Redwoods!

Redwoods are incredibly flame resistant because their sap is mostly water. I explain this in a video that I'll try to figure out how to upload later. Anyhow, they can survive fires and continue to grow even after their heartwood has burned. Hollow trees such as this one were used by settlers as enclosures for their animals and are called 'goosepens.'

EPIPHYTES!

Driving Hwy 1 South.

Sunset on Hwy 1.

We're in Mendocino at Moody's. 

We recommend it for the baked goods and hippie vibes. 

Next up: San Francisco & Bugorama!

Posting from Portland: The PNW

Mt. Rainier, at last!

Found some Lawrentians in Seattle! 

Yes, we are standing in front of a wall covered in used gum. 

Yes, it is gross.

First Starbucks Store. 

Tried the Cubano shot (espresso pressed with sugar).

mmmm.

Marie made a bouquet for the bus!

Met up with Annie and Erica & Family for 3 fantastic days. 

Erica's husband works closely with Brush pickers who invited us over for a Cambodian feast! 

(The nuances of this industry are incredible. Our host, Sun, and Craig were featured on a PBS special along with Nalini Nadkarni that you can find here) 

Next day Erica sent us off to Climb Mt. Ellinor in Olympic Nat'l Forest.

We met some mountain goats.

photo credit: Doug, thanks!

The hike is short but the altitude gain is 3,000 ft in 2.5 miles.

Summit elevation: 5944

This little guy was waiting to greet us at the top. 

These super bold chipmunks mooch off hikers who forget their lunches in favor of the awesome views.

Fellow hikers, Doug and Tom.

At the summit.

A sweet panoramic view from the summit from Doug's iphone.

Spent an afternoon lounging at the beach on the peninsula side of Puget Sound. 

Saw a needle fish and tons of tiny crabs!

Met the folks at Avery's Air Cooled in Woodland, WA 

and got a tour of the performance case manufacturing and machine shop. 

Ask Brandon for the nerdy details.

On the real life Oregon Trail you stop at Ikea for supplies. 

Unfortunately they were all out of spare wagon tongues.

Calfee Bamboo bike at West End Bikes in downtown Portland, coolest city on earth.

Oh, hi there Powell's.

How many books can kate fit in the bus?

(Answer: Not nearly enough)

Met up for a Portland Dojo session with Max.

Max sent us to Multnomah Falls this morning.

Now we're at Stumptown Coffee in Portland. Seriously the best coffee on this trip so far (and I think it's safe to say, the best coffee we'll find for the rest of the route). 

It will be sad to part with this sweet, sweet little city but the Redwoods await...