Confusion Hill

First Day:

1st Day
Leaving Mark & Natalie's home

Thanks to George's precision planning we were on the road by 6:20. In the past the first morning usually ends with an argument about someone's controlling behavior and how it is not the best way to begin a vacation. Today we were in sync. Troubling.  After a rather cold, overcast ride we arrived at Mark and Natalie's lovely home in Windsor where we were treated to donuts, coffee, and tea. John and Doris arrived, more talking, some pictures taking, and we were off!

Our first destination was Nelson Family Vineyards in Ukiah. My nephew, Chris, was at the wedding site helping to prepare for the event that evening.

Chris, Dee, John, & George 

The Ukiah symphony would be having a fund raiser and playing to an audience under the stars and overlooking a beautiful vineyard. We rode to Chris's home to say hello to his wife Amy, and their children, Owen and Ava. Much to our surprise and delight, our great friend Carol was visiting from Medford! (We will be staying with Carol the last few nights of our journey.) More pictures, hugs, kisses and we were off to Ukiah to have a delicious lunch at Ellie's Mutt Hut. Yum.

Uncle George with Owen & Ava

On our way up HW 101 we rode through Willits. My memories of Willits are limited to shopping with my sister at a little boutique many,many years ago. It is a really cute town. Who knew? A bypass is being constructed which could impact the town's shaky economy. Legal economy. Further up the highway was an enormous gathering better known as Reggae By The River. Thousands of Reggae fans meet by the (lack of) river to smoke pot, drink, dance, and have fun. It looked painful.  Thousands of people crammed into a hot, dusty area sharing limited toilets and who knows what else....

So this year I decided this blog is too much about me and I would invite some guest writers. The first one is a dude we met at a gas station. He was spending the week at the Reggae festival and was at the gas station looking for a bathroom. When asked to write something for the blog he wrote thilleae following on some toilet paper that had been stuck to his shoe:
"Man, I am sooo high. Wow, it was sooo good to use a real toilet."

Anyway, after we left our new friend Sunbeam behind we drove up to Benbow Inn.

George at Benbow Inn

Lovely place. It would be nice to stay there. At some point we drove by Confusion Hill. It turns out it has been an attraction since 1949. Their site says "seeing is believing." I am still confused.

George, Dee, & John at the Chimney Tree

The Chimney Tree had been burned out in the center and you could walk through it.

John sharing a moment with Big Bear

John and Doris led us through the beautiful Valley of the Giants. The ride took us through miles of giant, old Redwood trees. The enormous trees gave off such incredible aromas.

One could easily lay down next to the wide base of a tree and be drugged by the sweet smell of Mother Nature. Lovely.

Valley of the Giants

The Best Western we stayed at had great rooms and a limosine available to take the guests to dinner. The limo driver dropped us off at a place and we spent the rest of the evening laughing about our day.


Good Night Eureka,
Jenson