R & R on the Coast

After spending a wonderful week with family between graduation and our wedding reception Holly and I decided to head out to the California and Oregon coasts on our honeymoon. We started our trip from Reno driving directly to Fort Bragg California. From there we worked our way north along the California coastline visiting redwoods and beaches and camping along the way. Chester got his first taste of the ocean while we got to try some of the North Coast breweries finest. Along the way we took our time to enjoy the sights the sounds and the smells of this wonderful country. At Crescent City we decided to head north toward the Oregon Caves National Monument. As we drove along we noticed a sign pointing toward local vineyards and decided to check it out. When we went in we were surprised that the owners happened to be a good friend of Holly's dad, Terry Benndock, who had retired from Fish & Game and had moved to Oregon to open a vineyard. After sampling some fine Oregon pinot noir we moved on to the Oregon Caves National Monument where I got to go inside of my first ever cave. It was very cool (not just in the literal sense). Perhaps someday I'll give spelunking a try.

From the Oregon Caves we returned to Crescent City area staying at campgrounds along the beautiful Smith River, perhaps the finest river on the northern California Coast. While in the area we did some hiking and walked through the redwoods. Turning north we went into Oregon to discover deteriorating weather. Throughout the entire trip we hadn't had a single day of rain, but once we reached Oregon the rain came down pretty hard. The positive side of this is that we ended up discovering that Oregon State P arks have yurts, probably a great option for future early summer trips in this area. While in Oregon we explored the Sea Lion Caves and the Oregon Dunes. Chester, especially, enjoyed the running down the dunes at full speed.

In Oregon we also got the opportunity to see my mom, grandma, and uncle who live near the central part of the coast. It was nice to see my grandma and uncle and to have some time to catch up. After spending a few days with family before we headed north to Washington State where my climbing partner from Alaska, Sean Bemis, was getting married. Sean and his bride, Shannon, although married two weeks earlier on the east coast but held a beautiful reception ceremony near the shores of Hood Canal. Several of my good friends from Alaska were there to visit, some bringing newborns in tow. It was a great opportunity to see good friends that I hadn't seen for quite a while.

Photographs: 1) Holly and I aboard the Dixie on Lake Tahoe the weekend of graduation. 2) Holly and Chester stand in front of the Chandelier Tree, one of three drive-through redwoods. 3) Photo from inside the Oregon Caves. 4) The beautiful Smith River was so clear that one can see every rock. 5) Heceta Head lighthouse along the Oregon Coast.