Honeymoon Happenings 6

We checked out of our oceanside home this morning and headed south toward Crater Lake. On our way, we viewed some incredible sights along the coast. There was fog along the coast extending out into the ocean as far as we could see, but 1/4 mile inward, it was perfectly clear. Just an awesome sight.

Crater Lake was a surprise. We didn't expect to be so wowed but we were moved beyond description. In fact, for Deke, it was almost a spiritual experience. He was just in awe of the majesty and solitude of the setting.

In addition, we experienced almost every climate imaginable. When we drove into the park, the temp was 70+. By the time we climbed to the rim it had dropped 25 degrees. We experienced sunshine, puffy clouds, overcast, rain, sleet, hail, thunder and lightning. There was absolute silence with the wind whispering through the pines. It was magical. No picture could capture the moment but I'm sending some along to try to give you a taste of what we experienced today.

Footnote: When we entered Crater Lake National Park, we had to pay an entrance fee. The Ranger was explaining to Deke the different options for payment- one time entry, annual fee, American Pass, Golden Eagle etc. When he got to senior citizen, Deke asked the age limit. "Sixty-two," the Ranger replied. "Sign me up," Deke replied. At that the Ranger gave an incredulous look and said, "Sorry, but you're going to have to prove that to me." It made Deke's day! Carded at 62!

"
On the Oregon coast this morning

Do you see the sea lions "sunning" on the rocks?




Crater Lake

Notice the 2 women out on the point

After the hail storm

Honeymoon Happenings 5

Em and Jonny were with us for 2 days here at the ocean. We really didn't do that much; just loved being together. Today we went up the road to eat at a quaint restaurant that serves great clam chowder. I had fried clams but everyone else had the chowder. On the way home we stopped at the aquarium and it was really nice. Em and Jonny left around 9:00 tonight and have a 3 hour drive to Portland. We hated to see them go but we're grateful for the time we had together.

Revisited the Inn at Otter Crest, a place we stayed at overnight when we were moving to Washington state 30 years ago

Deke and Em on the rocks











Flying a kite on the beach



Goofing around











At the Clam Chowder place



Yes, we really are in California



Jelly fish at the aquarium



Playing euchre



Not wanting her to go



A pooped Jose

Honeymoon Happenings 4

Spent the whole day traveling along the CA/OR coasts making our way to our rental home on the ocean. Arrived here around 4:30 with Em and Jonny arriving 1/2 hour later. The home is adequate although not what I had envisioned. We had steaks on the grill, walked on the beach played "Aggravation" and star-gazed forever.

Getting into the California thing




Scenic pull-off







Em and Jonny



Jonny taking pictures off of our deck

Honeymoon Happenings 3

We had a great day today. For the past 3 nights we stayed at Travis Air Force Base about 50 miles from San Francisco. We had beautiful accommodations on base. Got up this morning at our leisure, ate breakfast at the local IHOP then headed north along the California coast. We stopped a million times to take in the view and just leisurely wound our way toward Oregon. It was rather chilly (60's) and there was a fog over much of the coast. Still gorgeous, however. Spending the night near the OR/CA border. My husband surprised me with a hotel suite-very nice! He said, "Hey, it's our honeymoon!" Tomorrow we arrive at our beach home on the Oregon coast. More to come...

Honeymoon Happenings 2

Deke all geared out for our Segway tour. Great fun!

The Segway is really not difficult to operate. We tooled all over San Francisco and I only had one minor incident when I turned too tight a circle.

One of the guard towers on Alcatraz. The tour was self-guided and very informative. A must for San Francisco.

Deke in front of a typical cell on Alcatraz

Windy with penetrating cold! Standing on Alcatraz Island with San Francisco in the background

Honeymoon Happenings

Boarding the Amtrak

Our compartment was 4'x6.5'. However, it was very private and we loved our little "honeymoon cottage." The train engine broke down as we were climbing the Rocky Mountains just west of Denver. Five (5) hour delay. Later on, we hit an elk which delayed us further. No, the elk didn't survive.

Touring San Francisco





See Alcatraz in the background?

We walked over the Golden Gate Bridge. Cold and windy and shrouded in fog!
Tomorrow is our Segway tour in the morning with the Alcatraz tour in the afternoon.

Keeping You Up with the Joneses

Last evening we had a gathering of the Jones clan here to welcome Marna and Alice to Indiana. They had flown in a few days earlier and this was our only time to get all of the Joneses together. We feasted on Pizza King (what else) and ended our meal with apple pie, thawed wedding cake and ice cream. A good old-fashioned, down on the farm Hoosier meal!

Max and Dianne



Marna



Ken and Marian



Grandma Mary

Alice