Got the last spot here, Katie played in their little playground (she even tried making friends with a little boy--I think she's getting desperate for someone who understands how to play) and we did our first laundry after dinner (may not Sound exciting, but believe me...).

September 7
Mark wanted to put some miles behind us, so today has been a long driving day (300 miles). Drove from Trinidad, CA up to Eugene, OR, by way of 101N to 199N to 5N. Took pictures of a large elk buck along the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway out of Orick, then got back on the highway and immediately saw a huge RV accident--somebody had tried taking an exit too fast and had rolled and totalled their rig. Couldn't tell if it was originally a trailor or what, but it was big and crumpled, twisted and rent in half.

Passed through the big redwoods and saw all the hokey places like the Trees of Mystery with the enormous Paul Bunyan outside (he actually talks to you as you walk by, which is creepy). We didn't stop, though (mileage day), which made me kinda sad. I like the hokey stuff. We'll get some in somehow.

By the way, we got the best gas deal today so far--only $1.99/gallon, and it was pumped For us (does anyone know what that law is about, in Oregon?). The last good deal we got was in Fort Bragg ($2.15). The highest we've noticed was about $2.56 (for unleaded).

Tonight Katie wrote her first letter (M) and then practiced a bunch of Ms, and then I showed her that if she put an "O" between them she could make a word, and she wrote out "MOM" her first written word! This helps make up for the months and months when she called me "dada."

Here are pictures from our drive north from Trinidad, CA

elk, obviously posing

what is it about redwood forests that begs for places like this? we also passed Confusion Hill (and lots of places selling chain-sawed redwood bears)

Katie making a few calls to her people...