Arrival in our new "home" state.

We have landed in Box Elder (Rapid City) South Dakota....our new home state.   We are here for a month...ugh!!   We have to spend one night to update our drivers license address and register to vote, and 30 days to apply for our conceal and carry permit.   So here we are.   Anticipating this long stay I have been making a list of things we have been wanting to get done but couldn't because we were either travelling or visiting.  My list is now 31 items long and the first couple of days we were here I accomplished very little because I got tired each time I looked at the list and had to take a nap.

One of the items on my list is to catch up on this blog.   Today's is about our time in Eureka, CA.   The Redwood National Forest was on my bucket list.   And although I was more impressed with the Avenue of The Giants  than the National Park, they were both awesome.

Our camera, nor our photography skills do justice to this phenomenon. 

The Avenue of The Giants a 32 mile scenic highway runs through Humboldt Redwoods State Park.  The overshadowing of the Coast Redwoods surround the area and give this stretch its name.   We took a walk of Founders Grove to view the Dyerville Giant which was 370 feet tall at the time of its demise in 1991.  This champion of redwoods is believed to exist as long as 1,600 years and was taller, larger and older than any other trees around it.

Ron actually looks small next to these giants!

Dyersville Giant....can you see Ron at the end?

 It was measured at 370 ft, 17 ft in diameter, 52 ft in circumference and is estimated to weigh over 1,000,000 pounds.

During the rainy season the soil became saturated causing another large tree to fall hitting a second tree causing it to lean.  A week later the leaning tree fell striking the Dyerville Giant causing it to fall.  The fall was heard miles away, being described as the sound of a train wreck, with mud splattering 15 feet up its trunk from the impact.   It is still living, creating  a home and food source for plants and animals.  

Of course we had to take in one of the drive-through trees that you see on all of the postcards and travel brochures.   There are 3 different areas that feature a tree that you can drive through and each tree is privately owned and charge $6.00 to participate.   We choose the Shrine Drive-Thru Tree.  Not sure this was such a great idea unless you are driving a Smart car.   This tourist trap ....um  attraction also has a small house built from a redwood (thus a tree house) .

Shrine Drive Thru Tree.  Redwood is 5000 years old, 275 ft high, 21 ft in diameter and 64 ft circumference.
I let Ron do the driving....if anyone was going to scrape the paint off the side of the car it was going to be him.



We also took a short detour through the town of Weott.
This town of 288 people now live in the hills due to experiencing two severe floods in 1955 and 1964.

This pole with it's top 33 feet above street level indicates where the water crested during the 1964 flood that obliterated  the town of Weott.

After leaving a day enjoying the redwoods and our way back to the campground we drove through the town of Scotia.   This little town has an interesting history.  It is a "company town" which was previously wholly owned by the Pacific Lumber Company.  It is currently home to 850 past or present mill employees and their dependents.  Scotia  is one of a handful of company towns to survive the Great Depression.

In recent years the Pacific Lumber Company expressed a desire to sell the homes to employees and retirees who currently live there.  Sale of commercial buildings would also occur from the lumber companies Chapter 11 reorganization plan and control transferring to various other entities.

Cottages built between 1920 and 1950 to house the mill employees and their families

Lumber mill still operational with around 300 employees.  At it's peak it employed over 1,000.

During our time in Eureka we also took in the Lost Coast, Tree of Mysteries and Woodley Island.....all future blogs.

Hope all is well!

After leaving the Sonoma Valley area we spent 10 days in Ukiah, CA.   Why...you might ask.    We are not real sure but did see a couple of interesting attractions.  

The first was the City of 10,000 Buddah's.   This is the first large Buddhist monastic community in the United States. Over a hundred volumes of Buddhist scriptures have been translated into English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and other languages here, laying a solid foundation for the dissemination of the Buddhadharma in the West.

"Ten thousand" is a symbolic description indicating an infinitely large number of "awakened ones".  "City" means a harmonious community.    Therefore the title expresses an ideal community dedicated to fostering each individual's inherent wisdom to revering Awakened Ones and recognizing that all beings possess the innate capacity for enlightenment.    Or so we were told.

Entrance



Our first stop after entering the grounds was  at the main office in the administration building.    You have to register your visit, we were given a map  and  invited to ask any questions.   Instructions were given that no pictures are allowed in the Jewelled Hall and that only men can visit the male section of the school and women  the female section.

Also in the administration building is an exhibition room and book/gift shop.   The exhibitions consist of photos from Dharma Realm Buddhist Association's 30 year history, as well as photos of the Venerable Mater Hua's life.

The Jewelled Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas is where the seven assemblies of disciples (Bhikshus and Bhikshunis (fully ordained monks and nuns), Shikshamanas (those training to be Bhikshunis), Shramaneras and Shramanerikas (novice monks and nuns), Upasakas and Upasikas (laymen and laywomen)) gather to attend the daily ceremonies. Rows of yellow bowing cushions are lined upon the red carpet. Many ornate banners are suspended above. The entire Buddha Hall is magnificently  adorned in ancient style.

Close up of the Buddha sitting above the entrance to the Jewelled Hall.

We were also invited to attend their 10:30 am daily service.   Which we found to be very fascinating.   Their rituals,  although foreign to us, are interesting and we were encouraged  to participate in the offering .   A ceremony where you hold up a small dish containing oil and a small orchid.  (representing purity) while prayers are chanted.

The most eye-catching thing about the Jewelled Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas is that the walls on all four sides are covered with a grid of compartments, and each compartment contains a statue of a Buddha. There are a total of ten thousand Buddha statues, great and small.  These ten thousand Buddha statues were made by the Venerable Master himself over ten years ago. Foregoing sleep, the Master spent the nights casting each statue from a mold and then etching its features by hand. The features are simple and serene, not elaborately decorated. It is said that when the Master cast the molds, he added a snatch of his own hair to each statue. 

On the outside of the Jewelled Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas, there are four  murals.  One  of the Heavenly King Increasing of the South,  Heavenly King Broad Eyes of the West, Heavenly King Upholding the Country of the East and the Heavenly King Much Learning of the North. These splendid  twenty-foot-high murals convey the awesome and majestic bearing of the Heavenly Kings. Each one wears a golden helmet and golden armor, holds a Dharma treasure, and wears cloud shoes. 

The main artist Professor Yang asserted that, “Even in China, such large murals of the Four Great Heavenly Kings can’t be found."

There were several other buildings on campus that either were not open to the public or we chose not to visit.

There is also a full service vegetarian cafe and although our visit extended through lunch time, we decided not to try it.   Ron is really good at going along with my sight seeing ventures but he did draw a line here. We
opted to eat at the Ukiah Brewing Company in downtown Ukiah.   The Ukiah Brewing Company is America's first certified organic brewpub and the nation's second organic restaurant.   Ron liked the beer he ordered but neither of us were impressed with our meal which was very expensive....oh yah...I forgot, we are in California.

A monk rushing to the morning service.   I don't think we were suppose to take pictures of them, but I couldn't help myself.

There are several peacocks running loose on the grounds.   Although they are a beautiful animal and fun to watch, their constant schreeking can get to be annoying.

Street signs found throughout the campus.  A constant reminder how they want to live their life.  I could use a few reminders too.












The second attraction was the Worlds Largest Redwood Tree Service Station, located on Highway 101 in the heart of Ukiah.

 It was a gas station in the 1950´s , built out of three hollowed out Redwood trunks . Ít´s now just a small walk-in  one room museum - with photos of days gone by, gas signage, even a case of old glass oil cans and gas pumps labeled "Ethyl.

Uniquely different from the Buddha city but interesting in it's own right.

Photos and stories of how the station was built.

Those were the good ole days.  You can put a 4 in front of this rate and it still will not be the current cost for gas in California.    We paid $4.44 to fill the car the other day and have paid as much as $4.69 for diesel for the coach.   With an 100 gallon tank, we practically have to cash in an annuity every time we fill up.   We will be glad when we leave California and get back to more normal costs. 

    

An old gas pump.

And and even older one!!

Well, that's about it for our visit to Ukiah.  We then drove 68 miles north to Eureka, CA to visit the Redwood National Park.    Another time for that blog.

Hope all is well!

Our Visit with Cousin Ines

We went non-stop the week we spent with my cousin Ines.  She lives in Windsor, CA in the Sonoma Valley area.    She put a great itinerary together for us and we had a great time.   We visited the Korbel Champagne Cellar, the Armstrong Redwood Park, Raymond Burrs Vineyard, Quivara Winery,  Bodega Bay and Charles Schultz Museum.  The highlight was a bus tour into San Francisco featuring the city 150 years ago.   We saw the oldest Missions and residences and ate lunch at the oldest restaurant – The Clam House. 

Ines is a great cook so we ate and ate and ate……boy do we need to join Weight Watchers.

We got to meet her daughter – Annie and her husband Sam.   Annie designs jewelry and sells at the local farmers markets.   We spent a few hours at the Windsor Farmers Market, saw a Chinese tea demonstration and of course had to make a few purchases.

Armstrong Redwood State Park

Armstrong Redwood Park

Colonial Armstrong redwood.  306 feet in height, 14.6 diameter and over 1400 years old.

Burl - a growth usually caused by stress.   The largest burl at 26 feet occur in the Coastal Redwoods.   When moisture is present, these burls can grow new redwood trees.

Bodega Bay

I could sit and watch the tide all day long!

Children's  Bell Tower

The Children's Bell tower dedicated to children everywhere.   Inspired by the death of 7 year old Nicholas Green from Bodega Bay, California, who was shot by highway robbers in Italy in 1994.   All the bells were dedicated by churches, schools and families of Italy to express their sorrow and appreciation to Nicholas' parents who donated his organs to seven Italians.    The centerpiece is from the Marinelli Foundry which has been making bells for the papacy for a thousand years.   This bell which has the name of Nicholas and the seven organ recipients 

was blessed by Pope John Paul II.  

San Francisco Tour

Mission Dolores Basilica.   

Mission Dolores has always had a central place in the religious, civic, and cultural life of San Francisco. Misión San Francisco de Asís was founded June 29, 1776, under the direction of Father Junipero Serra and is both the oldest original intact Mission in California and the oldest building in San Francisco. Today, the Mission Dolores Parish comprises both the Basilica and the Mission

We saw alot of neat architecture on the walking tour.

Had a great lunch at the oldest restaurant in SF.  The Old Clam House.  Their signature is offering a warm glass of clam juice before the meal.     Food was good - clam juice Ron liked, I didn't.

Can you talk about San Francisco and not include the Transamerica Pyramid??

Or the Golden Gate Bridge - celebrating it's 75th  this year.

As the fog rolls in every afternoon.   Is there a bridge in there?

Charles Schulz Museum

Santa Rosa, CA

Who knew - although Charles Schulz was born in Minnesota his last studio was built in Santa Rosa in 1969 where he remained until his death in 2000.   

Full wall mural designed by Yoshiteru  Otani composed of 3,588 ceramic tiles or about 10 years worth of daily comic strips originally published between 1956 and 1988.   Otani hand selected each strip to compose a secondary scene of Lucy holding a football for Charlie Brown

A close up of the tiles showing the individual strips forming the shape of Charlies head.

Cousin Ines sharing a friendly moment with Snoopy.

You will find several of Charles Schulz's Peanuts characters lining the streets of downtown Santa Rosa.  


We had a great visit and feel very fortunate we can visit family and friends while experiencing special places.   We love the RVing lifestyle!!


Hope all is well. 

Found my long lost cousins!!

Since our last blog we spent a week with my first cousin Lou and his wife Lorie.  They live in San Carlos, CA about 25 miles from San Francisco.  We haven't seen each other for years and really never knew them while growing up.   But it sure was great to re-connect.  They were very gracious host/hostess, opening their home for us non-stop for a week.   Both are excellent cooks (Italians....would you expect anything less?) and I'm sure we both gained at least 10 pounds.  

 They are in their early 80's and I should have as much energy now,  let alone when I reach their age.   They are always on the move with various interest and activities.   Lou makes silver jewelry and vases from antique silverware and succulent shadow boxes.   Lorie, while very active in the church, makes rosary bracelets, crotchets prayer shawls, chemo beanies and has an impressive aviary in the backyard.  

Me with cousins Lou and Lorie at their home.

Succulent shadow box

Lou hard at work making bracelets

Finished product

Lorie's new baby canaries

Lorie's brother Pete took us on a driving tour of San Francisco one day.   I am still amazed they build on the hills and the unusual architecture.  He showed us some of the most expensive homes, on streets now banned to tour buses.  Took a very scenic drive overlooking Alcatraz and Angel Island.   

A single residence, in the heart of the city, estimated at a value of over $50 million.
No big deal....we'll take 2!

And how can you talk about San Francisco without a picture of the Golden Gate Bridge?

We visited Fort Baker, a scenic army post that played a key role in the defense of the San Francisco Bay from 1866 till after World War II and is now in the National Register of Historic Places.   It sits on a hill with spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Angel Island and the city.

Another afternoon Mark, Lou's oldest son, took us on a tour of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  Our last visit to San Franciso area was in 2003 and we did not have time to visit the Aquarium, so it was a real treat. Not only did Mark take time away from his business,  he fit this adventure in between a trip to Phoenix for his neices graduation and a 2 week trip to Italy.  He visits the aquarium frequently and is a great tour guide.   

We took over 100 pictures, but these are some  of my favorites.
Moon Jelly Fish.

Flat Fish

A rare view of an octopus, who apparently hardly ever comes out.

Funny....the shrimp I eat never look like this!

And the fog rolls in over the bridge.   

Good-bye San Francisco.

My connection is vvvvvveeeerrryyyy sssssssssllllllllllllllooooooooooooowwww, so I'll blog our trip north to Santa Rosa to visit my other cousin,  Ines, Lou's sister, in the next couple of days.

Hope all is well.