ROARING CAMP & BIG TREES NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD

 Decided to be tourists today and went on a train ride. In the 1880s, narrow-gauge steam locomotives were used to haul giant redwood logs out of the mountains. Roaring Camp’s steam engines date from 1890 and are among the oldest and most authentically preserved narrow-gauge steam engines providing regularly scheduled passenger service in America.  Travel over trestles, through towering redwood groves and up a winding narrow-gauge grade to the summit of Bear Mountain as conductors narrate the history of Roaring Camp, the railroad and the forest! One hour roundtrip.

Santa Cruz Wharf – Wed 4/28

Our day off.  Rain and cool temperatures, but we decided to venture out.

  Went to the wharf in Santa Cruz, then to a dinner with local microbrew, home, fire, fish tacos.  All in all a great day.

Exploring – Carmel-by-The-Sea, Eastwood’s Mission Ranch

We’re less than a mile from the ocean.  Have discovered a couple of paths (one of which has 170 stairs to ocean).  Spent the afternoon at Carmel-By-The-Sea.  Went to Clint Eastwood’s old and new place.  Forgot to tell him we were coming so he wasn’t home.

This is a beautiful area.  Very busy campground.  First time, we’ve checked in campers with a goat.

Home, Sweet, Home – The Challenger has landed.

Westward Ho – Day 13 – Monday 4/12 – Final Day

Woke up this morning to rain.  Luckly, it stop as we got ready to leave.  Traffic in LA was not bad, made good progress and decide to skip a stop.  Arrived Monterey Bay/Santa Cruz KOA (our destination) around 5 pm.  It feels GREAT to be stopped for several month, a day early, and a beautiful site.  Tomorrow, we’ll get settled in – tonight, it’s time to relax.

Westward Ho – Day 12 – Saturday 4/11 – Joshua National Park

Arrived Stage Coach KOA in Banning CA around lunch time.  Took a 180 mile loop from kampground through Joshua Tree National Park.  We enjoyed it, but I under estimated how long it would take.  Got back to the MH around 8 pm, quick dinner, then bed time.

Limited internet, not much time to post.  Not looking forward to trip through LA.

Westward Ho – Day 11 – Saturday 4/10

Stop and spent the night at a hot springs in Tonopah, AZ.  Disappointed – expected a natural springs, got old fashion claw-foot bathtubs – soaking in “use” bath water is not my idea of a good time – I guess we had to try it to know what we like.

 Our spot had electricity, but no water.  Very, very rustic - but on the  positive side – we got an early start in the morning. 

Westward HO – Day 10 – Friday April 9

Got up this morning, took our coffee out to the hot tub and watched the sun come up over the mountains.  Had a leisurely breakfast, then head out for an adventure.  Went to Saguaro National Park, very interesting.  A quick stop at Wal*Mart, then back to the resort.  Spending the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the resort.  Plan to grill out tonight and head west in the morning. 

Westward Ho Day 9 – Thursday 4/9

Arrived Tucson around lunch time.  Got the MH setup and went to the pool and hot tub to relax.  Went to Gentle Ben’s Microbrewery for happy hour (and to buy brother Matt a growler – anyone know why they call them growlers?).  Came back to the resort, grilled chicken, enjoyed the sunset, then went back to the hot tub.  A great day.

Las Cruces Sunset at KOA