We'll Be Driving Across The Country...............

You should drive up through central Oregon and stop in Bend if you get the chance.

 

If you or your wife like jewelery check out my sons's store in downtown Bend on Minnisota Street, called Colourstone. Really great stuff from Goldsmiths all over the Northwest. Check out my Photo Gallery in his store as well. Wonderful area.

 

At this point, we definitely want to drive up the Cali coastline via Hiighway 1. Since we'll end up in Portland, I'm sure there will be many eventual trips to Bend.

Thanks all the same.

 

I'll have to check that out. I usually go to Bend 5 or 6 times a year.

 

This will sound funny, but in San Luis Obispo, stop at the historic Madonna Inn. The restrooms are amazing (if you like peeing into a waterfall!)

 

I think I remember a friend once telling me about staying at that place. Something about a rock room where they felt like they were sleeping in a cave?

 

I'm really hoping that doesn't happen to all tourists there.

 

Really is a great little shop. (And the pictures are fantastic!) Says me.

 

I've walked by it before, guess I'll check it out.

Wife's Birthday is next month.

 

As it turns out, I want to drive from Phoenix to Valencia in a day, spend the night in Valencia, then get to Napa the next day. Does that seem doable/practical, if we can miss rush hours?

 

A suggestion:

North of Eureka, when you get to Crescent City, you can veer off of the 101 and take the 199, which lead up through the a beautiful section of redwoods, rivers, the Siskyu mountains and other things. It ends up in Grants Pass Oregon where you can get on I-5 and continue north towards Portland. The drive is as beautiful as you can find anywhere. There is also a neat little spot that you can stop at along the way where you can hike around a few bogs that are full "Darlingtonia" (which is a carnivorous plant). Pretty damned amazing.


Just a thought.

 

Cool. That's exactly the way Google maps plots it out - heading from McKinleyville (where we'll be staying the night before) to Portland.

Thanks for that!

 

How long is that drive - from Crescent City to I5?

 

Napa Valley is looking so promising, we're now thinking of going ahead and spending two nights in Calistoga. Thanks for the tip!

 

That's great. You probably saw this, but here's the link

http://www.indianspringscalistoga.com/

It has a very California circa 1920s kinda feel to it. Have a great time and drive safe!

 

If you're staying in Napa, have dinner at Le Bouchon. It's Thomas Keller's training restaurant for French Laundry. Amazing food at 1/5 of the price of FL, and without the two month appointment.

 

Yep, pretty much what sold it on the wife. She's very intrigued by the mud baths.

Oh, that and the wine tours. She's really been on this Tuscany kick lately, but, uhhmm, we won't be going to Italy anytime soon, so this'll have to do.


Thanks Again

 

That place looks AWESOME! I'm adding all your various suggestions within specific bookmarked (the various city) folders labeled as "Maxie Recommended". That way I'm certain to not miss them.....................and get the best out of our trip.

Thank You

 

OK, I just booked this place: http://www.innonthepaseo.com/

Looking like dinner @ Adelita's

Margies @ Tomacita's!!

Thanks for the tips, Maxie!

 

Found this gem in the redwoods. Interestingly, the movie The Majestic was filmed in Ferndale.

My wife literally cried when she saw this website. Major points scored for the ABMeister.

http://www.victorianvillageinn.com/index.htm