20th July - Rufus to Portland, OR - 109 miles

Still in shock at Steve's proposal..lol I headed into Portland after lunch, found myself a motel and was great to have a shower !!!!!...lol.

21st July - Portland to Reedsport, OR - 200 miles

Before leaving Portland the next morning I caught up with John aka johnbega, we met for coffee and a chat before getting on the road again. Out to the coast I headed, after several days of heat.... the coast seemed like the south pole....lol. windy as hell and rather chilly. Was funny to see the beachgoers all rugged up in their sweaters...quite the contrast. The drive down the coastline was beautiful though. Amazing forests one side of the road and the great Pacific Ocean the other.

22nd July - Reedsport, OR to Arcata, CA - 427 miles

I set out early and not far along came across a meadow with elk, this was my first sighting of elk, they huge buggers huh....lol. After a few coffees along the way I need to find a pee stop...lol busting and desperate I pulled into a campsite, the scenery in there was unreal, the water so clear. Needless to say I took the pic after I pee'd...lmao I know tmi !!!! Then on the road again towards Crater Lake, the drive was long and windy but boy was it worth it !!!! Standing on the rim of the lake was breath taking, it was absolutely amazing.

From Crater Lake it was back on the road again and back towards the coast. I crossed back into California and through the Redwoods, these trees are unreal and the drive was so scenic. I've never seen trees so hugeeeeeeee !!

Then before I knew it I was on the California Coast.

23rd July - Arcata CA to Stockton CA - 349 miles

I left the coast bright and early again to head south, the first part was ok and I winded my way through the mountains with the river running alongside. Then boy did things change fast.... the mountains were covered in smoke and many trees ablaze, it was such a shame to see such beauty destroyed. I drove over 200 miles in a blanket of smoke, passed several camps for the firefighters and numerous trucks on their way to the fires. The smoke finally disappeared around Sacramento and I arrived at Mama's aka mamamardee. I spent the last few days just chilling...(well not so much chilling...its been bloody hot !!!) with Mama's family, daughter Jennifer aka emtj3nn who used to be in league, her boyfriend Jeff and children Christian and Alexis.

27th July -  Stockton to Santa Cruz - 185 miles

Mama and I set out from Stockton on our own mini road trip together, we headed for San Francisco towards the Golden Gate Bridge. It was a must to drive across the world famous bridge. As we got closer to the coast you could feel the temperature dropping considerably and the day was somewhat overcast and foggy which was kinda disappointing. Sunny California aint always sunny....lol especially on the coast...lol. As I approached the bridge even tho it was not all visible, it was awesome sight and still managed to take pics as driving over it. We parked just over the bridge and walked a lil way back up onto it. We then headed to Fisherman's Wharf and took a bay cruise around the bay, out to the bridge and around Alcatraz. We tried to get onto Alcatraz but they were booked out well in advance. We cruised on a fishing boat out into the bay, I've never been so cold, heading towards the bridge and the wind coming in directly from the ocean I was freezing. Mama sat on the front deck and got her ass really wet...lol Soon as we turned under the bridge it was heaven and relief from the wind. Was a fun trip all the same.

We then drove through the city and set off down the coast, stopping at several vista points taking pics along the way.

28th July - Santa Cruz to Ventura - 299 miles

We were on the road again bright and early, still somewhat overcast on the coast, but we made the most it. Our first stop was Monterey at Fisherman's Wharf, we walked out onto the pier to the sounds of the seals. We then drove around the area and took the 17 mile drive around the cape.

We then drove into Pebble Beach and of course the golf course !!!! Being an avid golfer a few years back I surely savored the moment. We walked through the Lodge out onto the course, I just stood there in amazement at the view. We then went by the putting green and met John who was there with the Toyota company on a golfing convention...lol nice to have that job....lol. I borrowed his putter and lined up a 10 footer....bang straight in the hole !!!!! One putt that's all it took, then I did the happy dance...lol....didn't test my luck with a second....lmao...least I had Mama as witness...lol I managed to gather up some cards and pencils as souveniers but Mama scored 2 markers for me, I was rapt.

Then off to take in more coastline and beautiful views. We also captured the eagles soaring above the rocky cliffs.

29th July - Ventura to San Diego - 203 miles

Today was the day we were gonna be beach bums.... beach hopping from one to the next. First was Malibu, it's unreal how every prime piece of real estate is taken advantage of. Homes right on the waters edge to high on the cliff tops...oh to be rich n famous !!!! To get to most beaches you gotta pay too...parking is a well paid commodity in this state. We stopped, parked and walked Venice Beach. I approached the lifeguard tower and chatted away for a bit and compared notes on how we operate as surf lifesavers in Australia. I enjoyed my time talking to the guys on duty. After we left the beach and was about to move onto Long Beach, we stopped at Starbucks...and then OMG !!!!! An EARTHQUAKE !!!! Well I can now say I made the earth move in LA !!!!! It lasted about 30 secs or so and what's more they evacuated the building, but not before I got my coffee....lol. We listened to the radio in the car to get updates, the updates lasted all day. At first they said it was a 5.8 then downgraded to 5.4... with 3.5 aftershocks. Was an experience I won't forget easily.

Then to Long Beach we headed and the Queen Mary in all her splendor. Huntington Beach was very pretty also Newport and Laguna Beach areas. After our fix of beaches back onto the interstate to San Diego to stay with Mama's son Christopher and wife Jennifer.

OH !!!! One thing I did forget to mention as I was travelling down the Big Sur Coast Hwy- Route 1 of California, the price I paid for gas !!!! I was running kinda low and knew I wouldn't make it to the next big place....so I pulled into to a unique little place out in the middle of no where, was 2 gas pumps and of course no advertised price, a cafe, a gift shop and an outside coffee bar. So I pulled up along side the pumps and got out and looked at the price on the pump.... $ 6.19 a gallon !!!! yes SIX DOLLARS, NINETEEN !!!! I said to the guy are you serious $6.19????? is this gold ??....he said yes it's liquid gold!!! well no shit !!! I said if that's the case I only want $20 worth. We went to the bathroom I came back and asked for a receipt, told him I was gonna frame that one !!! Then I went to the coffee bar... Mama said Loz where's ya keys we gotta move the car...I said why??? no other cars were wanting gas at the time....I said Mama my car is staying right there, if I paid $ 6.19 a gallon for gas, I've paid for the parking too !!!!!! So I then proceeded to get my coffee and I wasn't budging !!!!!

While in San Diego I did meet up with Michael aka edgarallanpool on Wednesday afternoon he took me for a tour of San Diego and past the Navy aircraft carrier in port...that was huge !!! then across the border to Mexico. Well was that an experience and a half !!! I'm just glad I wasn't driving, although the way I drive I would have prolly fitted right in...lmao. We walked for about 2 hrs shopping and Michael said Loz I can barter for ya...he soon realized Loz is very very good at bartering.....lol. Not even the Mexicans could push me around...lol. We finally headed back to border and that wasn't too bad getting back in, line up was good. Then out to dinner at the Outback Steakhouse, before heading home to Mama. Thanks heaps Michael for the afternoon and evening it sure was an experience and dinner was nice too.

31st July - San Diego to Phoenix - 355 miles

1st August - Phoenix to Grand Canyon - 229 miles

  Here's the link to YouTube for all the laughs !!!

  ~*~ YouTube Videos ~*~

If I'm close to you along the way please give me a yell either on msn or send me an email to loraway50@hotmail.com,

would love to meet you.