Arieh here. We are now in Nehalem Bay State Park in Oregon--only two days "behind schedule". Good news--we decided to leave North America. We fly out of LAX on October 9th, for Fiji, stay there for two weeks (not one) and then arrive in New Zealand on November 6th. Tickets ordered and paid for.
Besides that little tidbit, the Olympic peninsula is wonderful. Because we only arrive in Port Angeles around 5:30PM on Monday, we only managed to get a campsite, "pick up" two young Swiss travellers, showed them how to eat Indian food and went to sleep "under the stars" around 10PM--real late for us campers. In case you didn't notice, it is almost two weeks after Rosh HaShanah and that means the moon is waxing and getting brighter each night--no need for a flashlight for those "middle-of-the-night" excursions. When the moon sets, the stars are brilliant.
Back to the Olympic Peninsula. We drove up to Hurricane Ridge the next day--sea level to 1700 metres in a very short distance. I am sure people who do the Grouse Grind in Vancouver would have hiked to the ridge--we drove.
At the top is a fantastic view of many of the tall peaks of the Olympic mountains--some of them glaciers and some just with snow. It was a beautifullly clear and crisp day and we ate a picnic breakast and walked around the ridges at the top for a couple of hours. In addition to little chipmunks and birds that ate out of our hand (Richard Cooper--see the picture), 
we also saw several black-tailed deer up 
close and personal. Back down to sea level and 
west to the Pacific Ocean. Lunch beside a a beautiful lake and then made it to Holt Rain Forest. The trees there (and elsewhere on the North West of the O.P.) are huge Spruce, Cedar and Douglas Fir. The H.R.F. is a national park and there we walked and saw vegetation that was almost tropical--ferns, (picture) swamps, huge thick trees. I hurt my neck looking up at the top these giant trees. We also managed to visit the BIGGEST Western Red Cedar in the world (picture).
The campsite for that night was in Kalaloch (Clay-lock) State Park and it was perched on the very edge of the Pacific Ocean. The only thing between us and Hawaii was the water. Crashing and thunderous waves, huge driftwood logs and miles and miles of clean, "black" and wide sandy beaches. If the waves weren' t soothing, they would have kept us awake. As it is, our trusty Previa keeps out more noise than a tent.
Driving around the O.P. (and down the coast) there is ample evidence of clear-cut logging. In Washington they post signs when it was done, when it was replanted and withen the next harvest will take place--usually 60 years after replanting. In Oregon we discovered they just leave a thicket of trees about 25 metres wide on either side of the road so you cannot see the clear-cutting.
Val here:
Oct. 3
Drove up to Hurricane Ridge - beautiful vistas! Took some pictures of the deer. Then to Ho Rain Forest (after a delicious picnic lunch provided by Jodi and John). The trees of the forest were clothed in dry thick moss. Wonderful huge conifers were adorned with hanging green stuff! Lovely!
Camped at Kalalock near the Pacific - heard the roaring waves all night.
Oct. 4
Followed 101 south along the coast highway but first had breakfast at Kalalock Lodge in sight of gorgeous driftwood strewn beach. Then went down and walked along the beach. Lunch at Cape Disappointment State Park - but we were not disappointed - it was lovely. Gorgeous sunset at Nahalem Bay.
Oct. 5
Nehalem to Coos Bay Oregon. Lovely sights of beaches - cliffs with huge waves, enormous sand dunes.
Discovered three things:
1. the take-out window espresso kiosks that dot every little town throughout Oregon have wonderful lattes and cappucinos.
2. Oregon has the most remarkable coast ever!
3. Oregon campsites have what they call "Yurts". They are tent-like structures, named after the huts Mongolians live in - and they have heat and light. They are also very inexpensive and remarkably comfortable. What a find!
Oct. 6Driving ,driving....
gorgeous sea vistas. The weather is warming up as we arrive in California. Saw spouting whales at Coos Bay - fins or tails appeared from time to time. We are at the redwoods forests and they are as exciting as anyone has ever told you! Our campsite is spectacular! The majesty of the redwoods diminishes our tiny van and other campers RVs. Had a fabulous dinner at Myers Flats (population 200) - only restaurant for miles - best pizza I've ever eaten! (Brie and asparagus with grapes drizzled with white truffle oil - hungry??) The cheesecake with raspberry drizzle was wonderful. Off to sleep beneath the redwoods.
Oct. 7
Woke up to look through the back window of the van as I lay on the comfortable inflated mattress - saw huge redwoods - must be a thousand years old. Went to the Visitors Centre opposite Burlington campground where we slept. Learned lots about the redwoods. Took a gorgeous walk through the trees - huge, awesome - and to the Eel River - almost a stream now but in the 60's twice destoryed the towns in the area when it flooded.
Oct. 8.
Stayed in Santa Rosa in preparation for a half day in wine country. Went to a restaurant that specialized in turkey (??!) for supper.
Found a wine tasting venue that was recommended by the visitors centre. Us and about 200 French tourists. Left there and discovered a Cline winery - a museum with miniatures of the missions behind the building, cages of colourful quails, doves and ornamental chickens near the deck, a comfortable amount of tasters - and --good red wine! It was a treat.
Off to visit Lara in Berkely. Went by public transport (the BART) to San Francisco and saw the air show they timed for our visit. Took the ferry back to Berkely - great views of the city and the harbour - then drove up the mountain to get fabulous view of San Francisco from above UC Berkely. Wow!
Oct. 9
Arieh and I walked around Berkely campus. Two great discoveries: the Doe Library - a mixture of light literature, archival books, travel books (Lonely Planet mostly - but some for birdwatchers!), and a huge globe created in 1889. This university Library room was dead silent - partly because of all the students curled up on couches sleeping.
We also discovered a wonderful Botanical garden! They had plants from all over the world and each of them was labelled. We spent about two hours wandering there.
Had a lovely dinner prepared by Lara and shared with her housemates and children - lovely times with wine and chocolate covered pretzels.
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