Better late than never! Summer Vaca

This past August we escaped the Texas heat and headed to the west coast to visit C's fam and favorite childhood vacation spots.  While we could devote a post to each place we visited, we've included some websites so we can spare you the travel log! ;)


We first headed to Sacramento to visit C's grandparents and uncle.  We're glad we did because C's uncle passed away suddenly in mid-September.  We had a great visit and loved hearing about their lives as children and as a young married couple.

After our visit we spent a morning in Napa, CA, the birthplace of C in the B + C!  Napa is beautiful, everywhere you look is a postcard.  Just outside of Napa is St. Helena, if you ever get the chance to go, save your pennies because the shopping is uniquely awesome!

On the way out the Napa Valley we stopped at Jimtown, a Diners, Drive-ins and Dives stop.  It was awesome.  Guy has yet to let us down with one of his stops.

Before we headed out of Cali to Oregon we took a driving tour of the Redwoods though the Avenue of the Giants .  The Redwoods are awe inspiring.  We couldn't stop taking pictures (our free REI nature photography class paid off!)  The Redwoods should be on your bucket list.

Another stop on our way to Oregon to meet up with C's parents was Patrick's Point to search for agates, clear stones, of which we were unsuccessful in finding. But the views were SPECTACULAR and the cool weather supreme!

We finally made it to Southern Oregon's Gold Beach where we met up with C's parents.  The night we got there we had a relaxing fire on the beach front property connected to our hotel.

The next day we took a Jet Boat ride up the Rogue River.  Yeah, we got wet.  The ride was way cool though.  We saw tons of bald eagles, a black bear cub, salmon and our guide was awesome.  The tour package is a ride up the river, a stop for lunch , then ride back down the river.  We had lunch at Lucas Lodge . . . seriously the best biscuits and fried chicken I've ever eaten, and we live in the South!

Look at my handsome husband!! ;)

After our jet boat adventure we stopped in Coos Bay for some crabbing.  The sights along the way were gorgeous!  And the cool weather was delightful  . . . did we mention it was really hot in Texas this summer?

C and his dad did the crabbing, his mom and I had a late breakfast and then watched them.  Next time I want to get into the crabbing too, I think could totally get into this!

Back at the ranch (a.k.a the Cloud residence, outside of Portland) we cracked crab and made and ate crab cakes, yum!

After relaxing for a few days in the Portland area we headed back to the coast visit the Tillamook County fair and go camping.  The fair was really fun.  Tillamook reminded us of Cache Valley, and kind of made us homesick for it.  After the fair we hit the coast for a little camping, I know, me go camping?!?  Yep-a-roo, I went and actually really liked it; granted it was only one night.  The scenery and the gentle sound of the ocean made the experience wonderful.  I can see why C has such fond memories of these places.

Before we headed back to the Lone Star state we hit downtown Portland for breakfast at Mother's, oh, so good!  (I got the cookbook for my birthday, so we'll have some bistro food cooking up here at home.)

 And of course you can't visit Portland with out taking a trip to Powell's!

Yes, I did take a picture of the soap dispenser in the bathroom.  We love the "greenness" of not only Portland, but the West.


That wraps up our summer vacation.  We came back home, headed back to work have been running ever since.  We loved our trip and wish you could have been on this beautiful scenery, foodie heaven, family loving adventure with us!

Our thoughts of summer bliss are keeping us on Cloud 9!

Until next time,
B + C