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Today is Poppy Brown’s USA Birthday. Happy Birthday, Pop!

Another nice little sleep in and an easy start to the cold, foggy morning.

As the morning warmed up (a little), I took the opportunity to go for a small walk along the beach, watching the waves, watching the fog drift in and out and believe it or not watching a surfer.

To be honest, I have not even felt the temperature of the water here. I am just passing my judgment that it is cold on the facts that there are limited swimmers, the ones that are in the water are screeching as they enter and surfers are in a top to toe wetsuit. The water appears balmy…

By 11 am we were packed up, leaving Gold Beach (where the Rogue River meets the sea) and back on the stunning Pacific Coast Scenic Byway.

Town folk in Gold Beach have been very friendly.

The coast today was very foggy but the scenery we could see was spectacularly rugged.

Just before we entered the town of Port Orford, a deer ran in front of the motorhome. Peter hit the breaks and I do not know how we missed it but we did, thankfully. I think Pete’s heart rate may have increased a little.

We passed through the small town of Langlois and from its welcome sign is apparently ‘World Famous’. I googled as to why this is so and found a bundle of so-called reasons. One being Langlois is only one of five towns named Langlois in the entire world, and another that they take pride in the fact that the name Langlois stirs up so much interest in the pronunciation. The subject is a great icebreaker and is often the first question asked by visitors.

I mean really Langlois, really…

Next, a stop at an antique carpark in Bandon for toasted sandwiches in the motorhome and then a lovely, although cold, summer stroll around the old town.

Back in the motorhome and back on the road to our destination for tonight, Charleston Marina RV Park in coastal Charleston, Oregon. This might be another town where the town folk may spend quality time smoking the green stuff.

A load of washing done and a visit to the Charleston Marine Life Center (small aquarium) for Pete, Noah, and Wes. I got to enjoy the silence of the motorhome, priceless…

A nice short stroll to the Miller’s at the Cove Sports Bar & Grill for dinner and then back to the motorhome to rest and be ready for a brand new day.

Rogue River

Art to save the sea

Foggy Sea

Bandon

More Rugged Coastline

Old Town Bandon

Beachfront RV Park

Washed Ashore Art

There is a surfer out there…

Where is the ocean?

Street Art

Gold Beach

Bones?

Beautiful brisk morning

Time for a rest

Fishing for Salmon

Charleston

Charleston Marina RV Park

Dinner

A lovely start to the morning with a gorgeous run along the beach, I just need to remember how good it feels to get out there and exercise…

Noah and Wes spend the early morning with maths school work. I am not sure at what level they will be when they return to school, it is a little scary and not in a good way.

By 10.30 am we were all packed up and following Miss USA’s instructions to turn right onto US 101 North.

We followed Oregon’s stunning rugged coastline with lots of scenic photos stops along the way. The drive was beautiful.

We had reached our destination for tonight, Gold Beach by midday and before checking into the campground we decided to find out some information on the jet boat rides up the Rogue River.

The nurses at the Urgent Care had suggested the experience to us and even with Wes’ broken arm, they advised he would be fine (we would have wrapped him up in cotton wool). We just needed to cover his cast…apparently, we will get wet.

As the company had available spots for the 2.15pm, 80 miles round trip departure, we decided to book it.

Next door to the Port Hole Cafe to fill our hungry tummies before the 4.45 hour trip up the Rogue River on Jerry’s Rogue Jets.

Soon we were boarded and ready to go. The scenery was spectacular and although the beginning of the journey was brisk the weather warmed up nicely as we rode inland.

Wes loved the 360-degree spins, I was not so keen.

After two hours of amazing landscapes and wind through our hair, we stopped at Agness and the Cougar Lane Lodge for an early dinner. We were all still full from lunch and settled for an ice-cream. It was also too cold for us little Aussies to swim or splash in the river, we spent the 1.5 hr stop relaxing under the lovely trees.

Time to get back on Jerry’s Jet Boat and return to Gold Beach. To say the ride back was cold is an understatement, it was possibly the second coldest I have ever been in my whole life (the first was walking up Mount Wellington in Hobart). Like Hobart, it was a combination of being underdressed (where were the blankets they promised us?) and having a natural hairdryer on temperature artic blown in your face for 1.5 hrs…

When we saw the bridge that opens into the Gold Beach Harbor my chattering teeth and shivering body paused in relief.

Off the boat and back to the Port Hole Cafe for more average food, at least it was a warm spot to thaw.

Back to the motorhome, time to set up camp at the Oceanside RV Park and turn the heaters on. The fog had continued to drift in which made it feel very eerie outside. Let’s settle in for the night.

Beautiful Coastline

Beachfront RV Park

A little rest

Morning Run

Brookings Beaches

Rugged Coastline

Gorgeous Trails

Get out of my pic!

Wow, the view…

Gorgeous Noah

Scenic Stops

Ready for the Ride?

Driftwood

Jerry’s Rogue Jets

Foggy Waters

Stunning Landscapes

Agness Stop

Oceanside RV Park

Back on board

Cheeky Monkey

Wind in our hair…

Foggy RV Park

Just Beautiful

Good news, Wes had a decent nights sleep, phew.  He did wake at 6 am this morning and was in some pain but after a top-up of painkillers (which Wes told me did not help at all) he was feeling better and nodded off to sleep.

This left Peter and I with a couple of hours of lovely peace and quiet with two little boys sleeping like babies.

By 9.15 am we had packed up the motorhome and we were leaving our home of four days, Gold Hill and were back on the road, again.

We followed the Rogue River for a short while to Grants Pass (which we will return to for Wes follow up appointment next Tuesday) and then back through the Siskiyou Mountains into the Illinois Valley.

A short break for a food shop and lunch in the strange town of Cave Junction, where a proportion of the townsfolk appeared to be a fan of weed…

Back on the road and across the border returning into California.

We drove along the beautiful winding Highway 199, through the stunning Redwood Forest, stopping at the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park for a lovely walk along the Simpson Reed Grove Trail.

Back on the road and back across the border again into Oregon and onto North US 101 towards the Oregon Coast. Our destination, tonight the Beachfront RV Park in Brookings and the campsite is overlooking the gorgeous sea.

On arrival at the seaside RV Park we set up camp and Wes and I had a nice walk along the coastal path. It is always lovely to be close to the ocean.

A nice walk to the seafood restaurant Catalyst and then back to the RV Park to enjoy the gorgeous views of the Pacific ocean of Oregon.

On the road again…

Another photo…

Into the mountains

Climbing Trees

School Work?

Brookings

Cave Junction Shopping

Huge Redwood Trees

Pacific Ocean

Simpson Reed Grove Trail

More Beach Walks

Brothers

Brookings Jetty

Chetco River

Coastal Walks

Beach Front RV Resort

Rugged Coastline

Dinner, Catalyst

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

Welcome to Oregon’s Coast

Wave Watching

Beach Selfies…

Brookings Harbor

Today is the day we have an appointment with the Orthopedic Surgeon to put Wes’ broken bone back into place.

We arrived back at the Valley Immediate Care South Medford and this time our early arrival enabled an earlier procedure appointment.

Once again the doctor and nurses were amazing, their bedside manner perfect and Wes was in the best of care.

The day was rough on Wes though. It was a very painful process of aligning the bone, which needed to be done twice, needles, numerous x-rays. It was horrible to see him in that much pain…

After being discharged we stayed in the parking lot as Wes was still in a lot of pain while the pain relief was wearing off from the alignment and his painkillers had not yet kicked in.

Soon he was feeling a little more comfortable and dopey from the medication so we took the chance to drive the motorhome back to the RV Park. Thankfully, Wes managed to sleep.

It will be a long uncomfortable day for him, however, hopefully from now on his arm will be on the mend.

And I know that I am his mother and I am automatically going to think this way, but we really are proud and amazed at how brave and the courage Wes has shown throughout this whole ordeal. He has been a little champ and taken it all in his stride, maturity well beyond his 6 years…

Before the procedure

Not a great nurse

Looking Better

Ready…

Poor little Wessy

We want happy Wessy back…

Wonderful Doctors and Nurses

Feeling a bit better

Another day resting in Medford at the Medford/Gold Hill KOA.

Noah joined me this morning for another run around the RV Park.

Peter took Noah for a short ride to the supermarket for more medicine and water…

A simple lunch in the motorhome.

Some maths school work for Noah and resting for Wes.

Not a lot more to report.

Tomorrow, however, could be a big day, for poor little Wes at least. His appointment with the specialist has been booked for 10.30 am.

Wes has already become a little upset by the prospect of a needle, hopefully, the day will be smooth sailing, with not too much pain and he can be back on the mend.

The biggest event for the afternoon was moving the RV to the dump point to dump the grey and black water tanks.

Back to Miguel’s Family Mexican Restaurant for dinner and another lovely event-free day and night.

Brothers

Arcade Games

Wes might need help…

Morning Run/Ride

Swinging in the USA

Me and my shadow

We don’t need to be anywhere today equals another nice sleep in.

Staying in one place for a couple of days and with a handy KOA laundry at arm’s length is also a great opportunity for loads of washing.  Sheets, towels, sleeping bags…

Noah (on his bike) and I also took this opportunity to go for a short 30 minute run around the RV Park. I don’t think we have done this since Moab, Utah and my poor fitness was very clear.

Wesley spent the morning resting and Noah managed to fit in a little maths school work.

Toasted ham and cheese sandwiches in the motorhome for lunch.

More resting in the motorhome in the afternoon for Wes and myself while Pete and Noah went for a lovely bike ride along the Rogue River.

Back to the motorhome and ready for a bbq dinner, cooked with gas, not coal.

It was a slow day so I thought it might be time for a tour of the motorhome…

Noah making his bed

Doing the washing…

Inside the Motorhome

Arcade Games at the KOA

Wes Resting

Campground beside the farms

Bathroom

She is not big but we love her…

Our morning ride/run

And there is the shower

Watching Rafters

KOA Laundry

My bed…

Along the Rogue River

Bike Track

Dinner

Well, last night when I said we were going to nestle into our surrounds for the night we did manage to nestle for a short time, until Wes came back to the motorhome from paying in the playground after dinner, in shock, and with a limp arm.

He had fallen from the monkey bars and it looked broken.

Living off the grid and back to nature is nice, for some. This did not help us when we had no internet or phone access in an emergency.

Luckily, a very, very kind fellow camper offered us the use of his car and his camping party managed to find us the closest Urgent Care, 30 miles away in Medford.

This has given us our faith back, that in this big, diverse county called the USA, wonderful caring generous people, do still exist…

Off we went and arrived just before the 8 pm closing time. We can not be more grateful or praise the professionalism and kindness of the nurse and doctor on duty enough. They looked after our little Wessy with the best of care.

The verdict, yes, Wes’ arm was broken and placed in a splint and sling. He will need a follow-up appointment with the Orthopedic Surgeon on Tuesday to put it back in place.

Back in the car and back to the campsite for a night of very restless sleep.

Luckily, Wes woke in the morning in good spirits, considering what had happened. The painkillers must be working.

Our first goal was to find accommodation around the Medford area until Wednesday. With a little bit of the Peter Brown charm, we managed to secure a camp spot at the Medford/Gold Hill Koa.

With Wes feeling okay, we packed up the motorhome and drove towards Crater Lake, both Wes and Noah napping along the way.

We had considered driving the full ‘Rim Drive’, however, after stopping at the Steel Visitor Center and being advised by the ranger that the roads could be congested, RV parking difficult and a very windy road, we decided to stop at the Rim Village Visitors Center and see what the views were like from there.

And the views were spectacular. We have seen some amazing scenery on our journey and the Crater Lake would have to be one of the best.

The lake was formed when a massive volcanic eruption 7,700 years ago left a deep basin in the place where a mountain peak once stood. Centuries of rain and snow filled the basin forming a deep blue beautiful lake.

After taking in the magnificent scenery we had a light lunch in the motorhome and then continued driving through the gorgeous farms on Westside Road, through the beautiful mountains on Highway 140 West, towards our destination for the next few days in the small town of Gold Hill. Not far from where we need to be for Wes’ follow up appointment on Tuesday.

A quick load of washing and time to set up camp before we walked into the small town and had dinner at the local Mexican Restaurant, Miguel’s Family Mexican Restaurant.

Our Road Trip around the USA is also turning out to be a trip of firsts for Wes, first time riding a bike without training wheels, first lost tooth, first broken bone…

And, little Wes has been a complete trooper throughout the whole ordeal, barely complaining and being very, very brave.

I know everything happens for a reason, however, watching our small little Wessy in so much pain makes a mother feel like there better be a bloody good reason.

Beautiful Farmlands

Cute houses in Gold Hill

Back to the Campsite

Beautiful Brothers, beautiful lake

Stunning Scenery

Small Town Railroads

Wonder what the lake will be like?

Admiring the view

Crossing the river to dinner

Medford/Gold Hill KOA

The bone breaking scene

Browns do Crater Lake

Driving into the mountains

Visitor Center

Poor Little Wessy

Wizard Island

Gullys

Ouch, the break

Busy National Park Roads

Surreal…

Urgent Care

Look at that blue

Wes, you are a champ

Big brothers are the best

Napping along the way

Miguel’s Family Mexican Restaurant

Another late start to the morning with a little sleep in. I stayed as still as could be in hope that nobody would wake, and the peaceful serenity would continue.

All good things must again end, and we were all ready to go by the mid-morning time of 10 am.

Back on busy Interstate 5 North, this time driving on from the California dry rolling hills and towards the green Siskiyou Mountains, the tallest still snow-capped.

We drove through these beautiful mountains climbing in elevation (3000 – 4000 ft) around the winding road and passing gorgeous big lakes filled with houseboats along the way.

Another slight bug incident when the boys saw a large cockroach scurry across the motorhome floor. Another insect yet to be found…

We stopped at a roadhouse (Grenada) with the beautiful snow-capped mountain on the horizon and had lunch in the motorhome before continuing on our way.

Not long into the drive, we passed through a massive bushfire with small outbreaks still alight alongside the road. The firefighters and helicopters dropping water in full force. The devastation of where the fire had been could be seen, it was very sad and surreal passing through.

Soon we had crossed the border and into Oregon.

A quick stop at Eagle Point for gas and then time to ring ahead to book tonight’s campsite.

Oh dear, all the campgrounds we called were fully booked and we had also forgotten it was the weekend, today is Friday and we are now mid-afternoon.

After pulling into one of our camping leads and finding it full (I am sure there was a banjo playing at this one), the owner gave us a couple of suggestions and one was just down the road. May as well give it a try.

Success, we were able to get a spot at the Rogue Elk Campground and we are directly on the Upper Rogue River, it is stunning.

On our arrival, we had noticed that campfires were apparently still okay to light at this campground  (there was one flaming as we entered and it certainly was not cold). This does not feel okay when we have just passed through the devastation left by fire not far across the border in California.

Somehow it seems as if America does not take bushfires seriously and yet they have terrible, devastating bushfires, they have limited water resources and the landscape is so very dry. Why?

An hour of riding slowly around the campsite for myself and the boys and then time to nestle down and enjoy our surrounds.

No electricity, internet and limited water, however, tonight somehow, I am okay with that.

Beautiful Big Lakes

Snow-capped Mountains

Leaving Red Bluff

Durango RV Resort

Brothers and School Work

Fire still on the roadside…

Truck Stop for Lunch

Rogue River

Cute as a button

Brave Firefighters

Bush Fires…

Dinner

Rafting the River

Tonight’s Campsite

Biking around the campground

What do they call this?

This morning we collect our motorhome, our home away from home to continue our USA Road Trip.

A nice sleep in until 8.30 am and then downstairs to enjoy the complimentary hotel breakfast. It actually was enjoyable.

An Uber ordered back to the San Francisco Road Bear RV depot and there she was was, just as we had left her and as dirty as we had left her…

Back in and back on the road and straight back into the traffic, Interstate 80.

We were also back travelling through the dry, dry rolling hills of California. I am not surprised there is a huge outbreak of bushfires at the moment.

A stop in Fairfield for gas, lunch and to restock the van from Walmart.

Onto Interstate 505 North and Interstate 5 with vegetable crops and fruit trees our landscape.

A small spider incident when Pete discovered a large one climbing up his leg. I am not too thrilled we have still not found it…

Across the Sacramento River and to our campsite for tonight, Durango RV Resort.

Time to unpack from our Hawaiian getaway.

Down the road to Luigi’s Italian for dinner. Basic cheap American Italian restaurant with huge portions. We should have ordered the pizza, they looked ok.

We have slipped right back into our motorhome life.

Hotel Pool

View from the hotel

Breakfast

Waiting for the Uber

Wes is awake now…

Seeya SFO

Oracle Arena Oakland

Crossing Bridges

Busy Interstate

Dry rolling hills

Vegetable Crops

Luigi’s Italian

This is just the side salad

Dinner

Back to Tolls

An early start with the last load of washing completed before our return to the motorhome. I can’t believe how excited I get about clean laundry…

And then it was time to say our goodbyes. Bernard and Shirley and Chris and the boys have a 10.30 am flight departure, therefore, we were at their door by 6.30 am for our last minute cuddles and then they were tucked in a taxi by 7 am.

A few tears were shed (by me). We have had such a lovely week and all good things must come to an end. It was sad to see them go however, we will see them in two and a bit months and we do have a USA Road Trip to finish.

Today is also the 4th of July, Independence Day in the USA. We will spend the day flying back to San Francisco or Fran San Frisco, as Wes likes to call it.

Once again an easy Uber to the airport, easy check-in and security process, semi-easy Chinese lunch at the airport food hall and a wonderfully smooth, no turbulence plane journey, this time with United Airlines.

We could not get the in-flight entertainment working but it did not matter, the boys were occupied on their i-Pads, Pete had downloaded a few movies and I had a very enjoyable book to read.

The flight felt like it went very quickly even with an hour delay when we had to divert back to the gate for a reason I am still not quite sure of.

I just prayed the aircraft stayed in the air…

We did manage to see a few different firework displays from the plane while arriving in San Francisco.

It was now 10 pm with a loss of 3 hours in the time change. Into an Uber to our hotel, La Quinta Inn in Millbrae.

Two-minute noodles and a packet of Doritos for Peter and Wes who were hungry and then all four shattered Browns hit the pillow.

It’s a miracle, I forgot to take any photos of the day…

Why did you wake me?

Our room 203

A room to sleep…

La Quinta Inn and Suites

Smooth Flying

Dinner