Having a Big 'Ol Time in Big 'Ol California!

(Craig writes) Today, (Sunday), was a big travel day in that we drove 410 miles from Livermore, CA, (in the San Francisco/Oakland area), to San Clemente, CA, (south of the Los Angeles area). Checking a map will show you that California is a very large state. Driving on Hwy. 101, (the Pacific Coast Hwy.) and I-5 from our entry into CA from Oregon in the North to Mexico across the border from San Diego is apx. 800 miles! In addition to being a very large state CA is also a very interesting state to tour, (and the orange groves go on for miles)! Our first night in CA was in Crescent City where a tsunami struck in March, 1964 demolishing the town and killing several people. Then 9 months later in December, 1964 heavy rains and melting snows caused the Eel River to overflow and flood thousands of acres further South of Crescent City and into the towns around and in the giant redwood forests causing even more loss of life and damage.

As we drove through Los Angeles today we saw the fires that were still burning in several of the canyons in this area. There was one neighborhood of 900 homes where only 120 homes survived so the folks here would appreciate your prayers for their safety and rebuilding of their lives. Although we are several miles away from most of the fires we are watching the news carefully just in case! Throughout our travels in the Northwest we have seen numerous warning signs about volcanoes and tsunamis in highly populated areas. Apparently the reality of these things is a part of life for these hardy souls!

The resort we are staying in at San Clemente is about 3 blocks from the ocean so we plan to spend a little time tomorrow exploring this Pacific beach. We also plan to go to Mexico on Wednesday for a brief tour.

We've passed the mid-point of our trip and have made numerous great memories to hang on to as well as share with family and friends when we get "home". What a privilege to get to see these great places and meet these wonderful people along the way. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for us. Thanks to all our family and friends who, in spite of the apparent craziness of what we are doing with our lives, continue to love and encourage us! Stay tuned...