Hello friends! I am back from an amazing 17 day trip that included:
- 12 different hotels
- 5 states
- two new states to cross off our 50 State project
- 767 pictures.
We landed in San Francisco just long enough to pick up the rental car and head north up the scenic and adventurous Route 1.
Continuing up the California coast, we drove through the Avenue of the Giants on the way to Idaho (#28).

The 6 hour detour to Crater Lake National Park was well worth it. Spectacular (I've done no editing to these pictures.)

Heading west to the beautiful Oregon coast including fun in the sand dunes.
Astoria is lovely and fun.
After a few days in Portland, we ventured to Mt. Hood.
Then we took a couple of days to experience the Columbia River Gorge staying in Stevenson, Washington.
Then off to Idaho (state #29) to beautiful Coeur d'Alene with adventures that included hiking, renting a boat and a sea plane ride.
Leaving the west coast and flying back to Boston necessitated a stop in Chicago, IL to see our son, who valiantly sat through all 767 pictures of the trip.
It was indeed a successful trip full of diverse and dramatic scenery, tasty local food and beverage, interesting people (both local and fellow tourists) and new adventures. Now, it is time to dust off the sewing machine and make some progress on those WIP's and new projects rolling around in my mind. I can't wait!!
Kathy