A marathon weekend!  My son, Richie, ran his twentieth state marathon this weekend.  We traveled down in the mini van.  No RV this trip 🙁  It was a nine hour “marathon” drive.    It was well worth it.  Our room at  the Eurosuites Hotel in Morgantown, West Virginia was very nice and comfortable.  It was an easy 1.4 mile walk to the Marathon start/finish line and we were able to see Richie run by the Hotel at the 1 1/2 mile and 6 1/2 mile marks.  For marathon spectators this was a perk.

We spent Saturday hiking at Coopers Rock State Park in Bruceton Mills, WV,  just east of Morgantown.   Coopers Rock is one of the most northern state parks in West Virginia.  A few years back, David and I camped at Pipestem Resort State Park in Pipestem, WV  on of the southern most state parks.  It is one of our favorite  WV parks with a great campground.   I was excited to check out another WV State Park.  It did not disappoint.   Both parks are gorgeous,  well maintained and very visitor friendly.

Our first hike of the day was the Henry Clay Iron Furnace trail.  The 1 mile trail takes you back in time to the 1800’s, ending at the huge stone furnace.  There was a moment of panic when, 10 year old DJ, disappeared through an opening in the side of the furnace.  We all ended up crawling in afterward him.  It was amazing getting to see the furnace inside and out.  Very cool!

Coopers Rock SP has over 50 miles of hiking trails.  We enjoyed hiking four of them, each one different than the other.  DJ enjoyed climbing the 30 ft boulders on the Rock City Trail.   We all enjoyed exploring the caves,  crevices and views at the Overlook Trail.  The Rattlesnake trail was the most challenging.  It was a combination of twisting,  turning,  up and down,  over and under rocky terrain and rock formations.   A great workout, ask my legs 🙂

Coopers Rock has a campground with some full hook up sites.  It has been added to my list of places to camp.

The photo opportunities are endless.  Enjoy a few 🙂

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Back in Morgantown,  we stopped at the Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe for a late lunch.   The food was delicious.   It’s a chain that I hope makes it’s way  further east.

On the last leg of this trip, we were traveling I 80 through Norwalk, Ohio.  Home to one of our,  favorite drag strips at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park.  We HAD to stop.  The National Muscle Car Association (NMCA)  Nationals were being held there.   One of our favorite categories, Pro Mod are featured,  as well as,  The Chevrolet Performance Shootout (rescheduled from Indy) and the Cobra Jet Showdown.  The racing was fun to watch.  It was nowhere near as exciting as NHRA drag racing events,  but it was a great wind down to this trip.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

David has been to several NMCA events and this was only be my second.  We’ve been to several National Hot Rod Association events at Summit Motorsports Park.  They are the most fan friendly  track of any we’ve been to.  David gave a call to their hospitality and they  found us a campsite at an awesome campground 10 miles west of them,  Gotta Getaway Campground in Belleview, Ohio (water and electric, pull through $31 a night).  This is a beautifully maintained campground with lots to do both in it and in the area.  I’ve put the Firelands Rails to Trails Bike Path on our next time list of to dos.

E T’s favorite thing to do at the campground was sit in the passengers seat and watch our neighbor,  a very handsome boy poodle.  If she had been able to go out and play with him,  I think it might have been true love.

The wind has been tremendous for the past two days, 35 – 40 knots.  David has done some white knuckle driving and is in need of a little R and R.  We were looking to stay put for at least two nights.   The gal at the Iowa Welcome Center recommended Lake Macbride State  Park Campground.  She said the area is beautiful and there are very nice hiking and biking trails.

We took her suggestion and have no complaints (full hookup $19 a night).   Given the chance in the future,  we would  stay,  at  one of the four Coralville Lake Campgrounds (full hook up $26 a night).  Coralville Lake is run by the U.S. Army corps of Engineers.   Lake Macbride is run by  the State of Iowa.  Coralville is top of the line in every aspect.  Lake Macbride is showing the signs of budget cuts.  We took advantage of both opportunities.  Devonian Fossil Gorge at Coralville was our favorite.

This is not a super scenic area, but it was perfect for just spending a couple of days relaxing.

E T is off all of her medications now and getting her energy back.   She’s met lots of nice people, but we’re holding back on doggie interaction until the last of the wounds close up. We all had a nice day of hiking.  the Gorge was pretty interesting.  You are allowed to walk down and among the fossils.  It’s pretty cool how easy they are to spot. It’s an Archaeologists playground!

Just a mini slideshow with a  few relaxing photos.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

First stop entering Nebraska,  I  80,  Exit 20,  “Welcome”  Center.   While I’m traipsing all over the brush taking photos of the wildflowers,  David is walking E T in the parking lot.   He yells over to me, ” Hey!   Are you paying attention to the signs?”

What the heck is a Bull Snake????  What kind of a Welcome is this???

Thinking a good stop for the night might be in a people populated area vs “Bull Snake  Country”,  we spent the night at Nebraska’s Number One Tourist  Attraction,   Cabela’s RV Park  ($31.06 full hook up).    Sidney, Nebraska is the home of Cabela’s World Headquarters and first store.   More than a million people a year,  from all over the world visit the store.   According to one of the brochures I picked up, it really is listed as the Number 1 Tourist Attraction in Nebraska!!

In the morning we drove across the street to a “do it yourself” RV wash, then to Walmart.   We were in a “metropolis”!

There are places that we would like to stop in Lincoln and Omaha,  but have put them on our list for next time.  Being retired and traveling the way we do,  time is of no essence.     We had planned a VERY ambitious 14 week trip.   After traveling  10 of the last 12 weeks, we are both in agreement,  we miss home.

So we sail on through Nebraska, in two days,  almost 500 miles.    The scenery drastically changed from rocky and dry to green and plush.    The air is fresh and clear,  no more residual smoke  from wild fires in the west.

Next Stop Iowa

.

Flaming Gorge was on our list of possible places to stop on our way to Yellowstone.  It would have added at least, an additional 50 miles to our trip.  Never having been there we opted out.

After cancelling our plans to travel  further down The Pacific Coast Highway 101 into California,  because of the wild fires,  we put it back on our list of places to stop.

Live and learn, should have done more research.  Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area is over 200,000 acres,  partially in Wyoming, the majority in Utah.  We drove in off I 80 onto Scenic Wyoming 530.  Twenty four miles of gorgeous scenery on a nice paved, non thrilling road, to Buckboard Crossing Campground  ($16 w/electric) and Marina.  The key word here is Marina. This area is a boaters paradise.    We spent the night and woke up at 5:00 a.m. to do a little animal viewing and catch the sunrise.

After doing a little research, that I should have done sooner,  we would have had a lot more to see and do had we come in from I 40 in Utah.  Next time!

Not a lot to do,  but great photo opportunities!  Enjoy 🙂

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

This stop  was thrilling!  No scenic highways,  byways or back roads without guard rails,  no cliff hangers, or switchbacks,  this  was all about SPEED!

Bonneville Salt Flats International Speedway is home to some of the fastest  speed records in the world.  This year,  for the second  year in a row,  Speed Week at the Flats was cancelled,  because of unsafe conditions.   Mother Nature and/or our every changing world,  is taking its toll on our natural resources.

We were fortunate enough to be on the Flats during some time trials.   The sound,  sights and atmosphere was unbelievable.    I don’t like to go fast,  but I LOVE watching vehicles  go hundreds of miles an hour in seconds.  Someone had an amplifier set up and the sound of “speed” was enhanced ten fold.

E T was in awe of the “salt”.   She loves  water especially salt water.  Her first steps onto the Salt Flats were taken very carefully.  The scent didn’t match the texture that she is used to. Sixty seconds and she was ready to go.   Kind of like a warm up,  burn out and launch!

The Bonneville Salt Flats consist of 44.000 acres of densely packed salt pan.  The actual Speedway is 80 ft wide by 10 miles long.    After leaving the Speedway,  we drove for approximately 32 miles before we saw green again.   For anyone into speed or fast cars this is a phenomena.   For anyone looking for scenery like no other,  this is the place to see it.

The artwork was donated to the State of Utah,  by  Swedish artist,  Karl Momen.  It is said that he was moved to create the tree after having a vision of a tree while driving across the desolate Bonneville Salt Flats.  It is only fitting that it acts as a gateway to the area, heading west and a sweet farewell heading east on I-80.

Enjoy the slide show.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Last night we stopped for the night on the outskirts of Reno, Nevada at the Bordertown Casino and RV Resort.    The RV Park was overpriced.  ($37.87 full hook up).    It bragged a dog walk,  but there was nowhere to walk E T without watching your step.   The Casino, next door,  was a dump.    We walked in and walked out.  The cigarette stench was disgusting.  The bar and bartender looked as if they’d never seen a wash cloth.  The majority of patrons were  very creepy.   We were on the road again at 6:00 a.m.

We had hoped to make The Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah,  but stopped about 60 miles short.   I had spotted,  The Angel Lake RV Park,  as we were driving through Wells, Nevada.  It was close to I 80, and it looked quaint.   When we got off the next exit for gas I asked David if he wanted to see if they had a site available and go back.  We were glad they did.  The gal that checked us in was very nice.  We told her we were looking for a nice place to walk E T.  She told us about  Angel Lake.  It was a 12 mile drive, on Nevada Scenic Byway,  Humboldt Rd, through the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.  The first 8 miles were an easy,  very scenic drive.  The last 4 miles took us switch backing up a mountainside,  on a very  narrow,  very thrilling road.  The views of the mountains,  sagebrush forest,  cattle grazing fields, and farmland were breathtaking.   From 4,500 ft elevation to 8,500 ft with the final destination,  a gorgeous crystal clear lake at the top of the mountain was spectacular.    The hiking trail around the lake was a little rockier,  steeper and much more challenging than we had anticipated,  so we settled for a walk around the waters edge.

It was a nice way to get out in the nice crisp,  but smokey,  air after hours of driving.   It’s hard to believe that the smoke from the fires on the coast  is making a noticeable difference here.

Once again, on a clear day my photos would have been significantly sharper.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Headed southeast from Winchester Bay, Oregon,  after 7 hours on the road,  we stopped for the night at  Red Bluff RV Park, in Red Bluff,  California (full hookup, pull through,  shaded site $35.00 a night).  This is one of the nicest independent parks where we have stayed.

At check in I picked up a brochure for Lassen Volcanic National Park.   The park was along the route,  Scenic HWY 36,  we were planning on taking to get on I 395 headed East.   After out experience at Mount Rainier,  Volcanoes have really peaked our interest.

We were not the least bit disappointed.  This is a hidden gem.   Later we found out that this is the least visited National Park,  yearly.   We were told this by a “local” and she said it with great pride.

It is another hikers paradise.   Only given one day to explore we chose the 30 mile road trip.  It was thrilling (no guardrails) at points,  very twisty and curvy at others,  lots of switchbacks (35 mph max speed).   It has some of the geothermal features of Yellowstone, awesome views  and beautiful wildflowers.  One of the things that most fascinated me is a 30 ton,  Hot Rock,  that had been thrown 5 miles,  during  the largest eruption,  May 22, 1915.

Lassen Peak is one of many active,  dormant,  or extinct volcanoes found around the Pacific Ocean in a Ring of Fire.  Remember the Johnny Cash song “Ring of Fire”?   I know where he may have gotten the inspiration 🙂

This is a place that David and I both agree,  would be an awesome place to hike in the early summer or early fall.  David has put hiking Lassen Peak on his bucket list .   This is a 4.8 mile round trip,   five plus hour hike with an elevation gain of 1,957 ft.   I  put  hiking Bumpass Hell on mine.  This is a 3 mile round trip, 2 hour hike with an elevation gain of 300 ft.

The “local” that we met said this is the first year in her lifetime that Mt Lassen has not kept snow on her peaks throughout the year.

Once again, some of the clarity,  of some of my photos was lessened by smoky air.  The heat,  dry conditions and forest fires in the Northwest and  California  are really  taking their toll.

The  area is still a photographers canvass.  Enjoy the slide show.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

One more day on the Pacific Coast Scenic Highways, Byways and Back Roads.   It took all morning to have E T seen at the Vet.  There were two Vets within 5 miles of Umpqua Lighthouse State Park, but neither came highly recommended.   We had three people recommend the same Vet,  twenty miles south of us.   That is who we chose,  Hanson-Meekins Animal Hospital in Coos Bay and we are glad we did.   We had a long drive and waited well over an hour.  First Come, First Serve seems the norm here in Oregon for Vets.   We met more nice people and the Vet was excellent.   E T is stitches free!!! Hurray!

With half the day gone we decided to stay one more night and check out a few places that “locals” had recommended,  further South.     Again, we are glad we did.   Another 10 miles south of the Vet is Bandon, Oregon.   It is a very quaint little touristy town on the water with lots of shops, especially candy shops.  I am acquiring an addiction for salt water taffy.  I think it has something to do with the salt air or maybe because it was my Mom’s favorite candy.

Then on to Bullard’s Beach State Park,  home of the Coquille River Lighthouse,  a dog on a leash beach and more awesome dunes.  The grand finale was Whiskey Run Beach.  You can drive your car right down onto the beach.  I wished I’d still had my 4 Runner 🙁   We played it safe and parked on the road.  Yesterday and today  it was 67 degrees and the wind was blowing 25 – 30 knots.    We’ve had our heat on at night.   The last thing we expected to see at Whiskey Run Beach were Kite Boarders!     I’ve enjoyed watching Kite Boarding in the Florida Keys and have thought, ” Hmmmm, that would be fun to try”.   The people here are crazy!!!  Between the strength of the wind,  the size of the waves and ROCKS,  BIG HUGE ROCKS,  sticking out of the water,  I don’t know what they were thinking.  It was fascinating to watch though,  in a scary way.

Enjoy the slide show.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Navigating Scenic Highways is challenging.    From what we’re learning,  in order to find the scenery,   you may need to go from one scenic highway to another and then maybe down a gravel road or past three elks and a deer,  then look quickly to your left.   This is not  GPS compatible.   Talking to the “locals” is one key to getting around and being willing to put on the mileage is another.  We have covered 259 miles of the 363 miles of Oregon’s  Pacific Coast Scenic Highway 101.  I lost count of how many miles on other scenic highways.  Today’s  favorite was Highway 540.   Tomorrow we head east on Hwy 38 and the Scenic Umpqua River Valley.

There are no shortages of photo opportunities here.   Enjoy the slideshow.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.