ROAD TRIP: FINAL DESTINATION

We headed out early this morning so we could stop at a few places along the Redwood Forest. We first stopped at The Trees of Mystery where we saw Paul Bunyan and his big blue ox. We walked thru the forest and road a tram up to the top of a hill. We did this because Aubrey wanted to. I could not get out of that thing fast enough - not my idea of fun!

Then we drove along the Avenue of the Giants because I wanted to stop at the treehouse and gift shop but they were closed for the season! We did stop at the drive-thru tree and our car fit! The last time I was there I was 8 and our mini van did not fit!

After that we stopped for some food and then Aubrey slept from there until just outside San Francisco. It was dark by the time we crossed the Golden Gate Bridge. We had just gotten on to the freeway to San Jose when Aubrey had to use a bathroom. There was no where to stop in time so we pulled off to the side of the road in rush hour traffic. Good thing it was dark, there wasn't much space or privacy! Somehow we managed to sneak our way back into the busy highway.
We arrived in San Jose to a decorated Christmas park full of lights, trees and rides - even snow machines right in front of the hotel. I think it helped make a good impression in Aubrey's eyes!

ROAD TRIP: DAY 2

Today we travelled from Portland to Crescent City, CA. we decided to cut over to the coast at Eugene, OR to bypass Grant's Pass as storms were due to come. It meant for a longer drive but Aubrey fell asleep again and we were able to go the whole way only stopping for lunch and a really quick stop at the sand dunes and beach along the Oregon coast. It poured on us at the beach and when we stopped for lunch not long after, we had to do a quick wardrobe change out if our wet clothes.
Once the sun went down it really started to pour (can't imagine what the pass was like!) and our window wipers couldn't keep up. Visibility was pour but we didn't have far to go so we slowly crept to Crescent City. We had to do something fun with Aubrey so we got a hotel with a pool. She asks every morning: what are we doing today? Which we reply: more driving. She responds with: again?
We are hoping to make some stops in the redwood forest and in San Francisco before getting into San Jose.

The bridge is called McCullough Memorial.

ROAD TRIP: DAY 1

Wednesday we left Nanaimo via ferry to Vancouver then drove to Portland. Aubrey slept from Seattle to Portland which meant for a hyper evening. That was ok though as we then got some pizza for dinner and then got some donuts from Voodoo donuts. I think my favorite was the maple bacon. The chocolate, rice krispies and peanut butter was pretty good too. We haven't started the giant one: banana fritter with peanut butter and chocolate.

We stayed at Ace Hotel which is kind of a boutique hotel. They gave us a free breakfast in the morning because of Jared's job, so that was nice.

CHRISTMAS DOWNTOWN

As every year, it's Christmas time in the hotel.
They lit the huge Christmas tree in the lobby last Sunday and opened the Teddy Bear Suite. We have visited it a few times now.
Last night we had Thanksgiving dinner in our room, it was very good. Then we went and met our landlord at our apartment to give our keys back and get our deposit back. He gave us $100 more than we paid because we were good tenants! Nicest landlord ever!
We watched the parade go by the front doors of the hotel this morning and then packed up. We are on the road as I'm typing this, headed for the island.

MOVING DAY

 

Packing Day was on Monday. It took them all day to pack everything and Tuesday then came and moved it all out. It was a wet raining out on our steep steps so they laid our wardrobe boxes down the steps and used it as a slide for all our stuff. It worked pretty well!

 

Empty once again!

 

Now in the hotel until Friday.

 

I hope she doesn't get to use to this kind of room service!

 

Friday Jared works until noon and then we'll head to the Island for a visit before driving down to California.

MOVING AGAIN

It's that time again, we've been in Seattle for 2 years and so begun Jared's search for his next job.

He started out looking in Arizona, but thankfully they had found someone for the job before Jared even applied and it didn't work out! I don't think I could have handled the heat there!

The next two job openings were in Dubai and San Jose, CA. Although the benefits that came along with Dubai were very tempting, I'd much rather stay in the US. 

Jared flew down to San Jose early last week for his interview and by Friday he had an offer that he accepted.

It will be a nice change in weather. Although we are use to the rain and seasons, I wouldn't mind a little more sunshine. San Jose has about 300 days of sun! I'm also looking forward to not having to book photo shoots around the weather - I don't even know what that would be like!

San Jose is about an hour South East of San Fransisco and 45 mins East of Santa Cruz so there will be lots of close-by places to visit.

We were hoping that we wouldn't be moving until the New Year, but that's not the case. We move in about 3 weeks! We will live in the hotel once again (here for a few days and there for a month) while we find a new place. This time they are packing, moving and unpacking for us so now I'm not sure what to do with myself for the next few weeks! I've just been getting rid of things we don't want.

I've also started my Christmas shopping as we will head to Victoria for a few days before we drive down to San Jose, where we will have an early little Christmas with family.

Christmas will be an adventure this year, we will have to keep the stockings out and hopefully Santa will be able to find us at the hotel! Hopefully we can still have a fake tree in our room! I'm hoping we will have room in our car for all our clothing and stuff we need for a month plus presents that we have to pack with us!