We're staying at a nice RV park in Coos Bay, Oregon. On April 21 at 3:30 in the morning, we're awakened by a man standing in the doorway of our bedroom yelling "Gimme your fucking wallets!" Before we could react or even respond, he assaulted us with a large stick first hitting Ron, then whacking Mike over the head and breaking the stick he used as a weapon. When he did that, Ron went ballistic, started fighting with him and eventually wrangled him outside. He then calmly walked away. Ron then set off the car alarm and called 911.
We assume he was a drug addict (we're guessing Meth since he was acting maniacal and not in a normal state of mind). We didn't hear him break in (our TV was still on) nor did Gaylord bark. It was a random act and we don't believe it was premeditated or a hate crime. We actually think he was surprised to find two old queens as opposed to your typical trailer park couple.
We were both injured, our coach was in something of a bloody mess and some things were broken. Police and ambulances arrived fairly quickly and we were taken to the hospital. Ron had two bad cuts, one above his eye and one on the head which required stitches and staples. Mike had a large cut on his forehead (ten stitches) and a mild concussion. He also suffered some minor cuts and bruises as he had lost his balance on the steps and fell while exiting the coach due to impaired sight from the blood in his eyes.
The local police and park management were extremely professional and helpful in our recovery and crime investigation. In the 21-year history of the park, although they've had some thefts, this was the first incident of this type. The police got DNA and fingerprint evidence and they're confident they'll eventually catch the perpetrator.
The local police and park management increased nightime surveillance and we weren't afraid to stay put while we healed our wounds, contacted our insurance.
We are both doing fine now and back to enjoying our incredible RV adventure. No PTSD - yet. In hindsight, we'll make sure our deadbolt is thrown and we'll keep car keys next to our bed to set off the car alarm in an emergency. We won't buy a gun. This could have happened to anyone, anywhere, including back home in our house in Wilton Manors. Drug addiction is everywhere and we were lucky there wasn't a more lethal weapon available to either the addict or us. Stay safe out there!  Update note:  We were going to delete this blog entry, but decided after some discussion to keep it as it is part of the history of our trip.  We also wanted to make those that read this blog, America has a drug problem, and we all need to be diligent!  This not a localized problem, this could have happened anywhere!

Coos Bay - North Bend, OR is located on the Pacific Coast of Oregon on a well-protected bay with an active commercial port for lumber and fishing boats.  Just to the north is Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. To the west is the Village of Charleston known for crabbing and oysters and spectacular views of rugged seascape, towering storm waves, and glimpses of migrating whales from December through June.  Just South on the coast is Shore Acres State Park - home to extensive luxurious gardens with flowers and plants from around the world.

While in the area we enjoyed some surprisingly memorable meals, from BBQ to German and Vinny's "smoking good" burgers on their amazing homemade bagels.

Just off Freeway 101, a misnomer in most areas of Humboldt State redwood park, is Redcrest, CA. It's along an amazing corridor of giant redwood trees called Avenue Of The Giants where we spent one night. It's home to the Immortal Tree (see pic below and read description).

After winding through the gentle giant Redwoods and Pacific coastline near Eureka we arrived in Crescent City, our last stop in CA before entering coastal Oregon.  Our amazing base camp was in a grassy opening surrounded by Redwoods, one of the nicest secluded camping spots we have enjoyed.  On the coast of Crescent City is the Battery Lighthouse and Castle Rock.  Also a picture from the 2011Tsunami that battered the harbor.

Moved up the Northern Coast of California to Mendocino and more specifically Casper Beach, which was our base camp to explore the area.  Ft. Bragg is just up the road where we enjoyed Jenny's Giant Burgers right after setting up camp.  This area (Mendocino to Crescent City) is best known for the Coastal Redwood trees which locals call the gentle giants.  Some tower more than 300 feet, making them the tallest trees on the planet and can be more than 1000 years old. The majestic beauty of the redwood forests are quite amazing and deserving being known as one of the top 10 natural wonders in North America.

The road to the town of Mendocino, no wider than a country lane, corkscrews through mountain passes and traverses a cathedral of  giant redwoods.  This village of Victorian homes and Inns perched on a cliffside peninsula jutting into the Pacific makes for a dramatic setting and makes this place special.  Note the water towers providing indoor plumbing to the village since the 1800's and the timeless Mendocino Inn with its bar and vintage parlor.

After filling our backpack with salami and cheese along with some adult beverages, off we went back to Ft. Bragg to ride the Skunk Train for a trip through the famous local forest where you get a feel for the natural, unspoiled beauty. This short, 7-mile roundtrip takes you over the first tracks laid down by the California Western Railroad, and along the beautiful Pudding Creek Estuary.

A short drive from our base camp at Casper Beach is the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse and Light Keepers house open to the public. Ron made the mile hike out to the point. 

'The Summer of Love Experience: Art, Fashion, and Rock & Roll will be an exhilarating exhibition of iconic rock posters, photographs, interactive music and light shows, costumes and textiles, ephemera, and avant-garde films. A 50th anniversary celebration of the adventurous and colorful counterculture that blossomed in the years surrounding the legendary San Francisco summer of 1967, the exhibition will present more than 300  significant cultural artifacts of the time, including almost 150 objects from the Fine Arts Museums’ extensive permanent holdings, supplemented by key, iconic loans.'

Upon entering the museum lobby, your senses were bombarded with the sounds, smell and exuberant attendees festooned in the fashion of the era.
​IT WAS A HAPPENING, MAN!

There were activities for children who were invited to embellish a picture of bell bottom jeans with buttons, ribbons and sequins. The official poster of the Exhibit was done by Stanley Mouse. Mike was fortunate to meet him (and share a 'spliff') at his gallery in nearby Healdsburg on a previous visit. 

At the Fillmore Auditorium, Avalon Ballroom, and other venues throughout the city, musical groups such as Big Brother and the Holding Company, the Grateful Dead, and Jefferson Airplane drew fancifully dressed crowds and, together with their fans, put on a show.  And then there were the iconic "posters that rock" promoting the bands and the concerts.

The buttons and quotes of the time were scattered throughout the exhibit. How many of you had one or more of these buttons?
​Participation was at the heart of San Francisco’s counterculture, and nowhere was this felt more strongly than in gatherings where likeminded people came together in support of social and political change. The exhibition concludes with artworks that reflect the movement’s ideological concerns, highlighting the intersecting strains of art and activism.

Distinctive codes of dress also set members of the Bay Area counterculture apart from mainstream America. Local designers began to create fantastic looks using a range of techniques and materials, including leatherwork, hand-painting, knitting and crotchet, embroidery, repurposed denim, and tie-dye.

"On this day 50 years ago, the words “Summer of Love” first appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle carrying the term into the “mainstream media” in San Francisco and around the country."
"The spring and summer of 1967 brought nearly 100,000 outsiders, activists, and dreamers to San Francisco. These young people traveled far and wide to join a community of artists, musicians, poets, and radicals who would change the world–influencing popular culture through music and art; launching the natural and organic foods movement; protesting war with peace and love; and ushering in an era of greater connectivity."

The counter-culture of San Francisco was such a powerful movement of social and political change that spread nationwide - changing all our lives forever.  And on the 50th Anniversary that was the Summer Of Love, we celebrate that change!

We spent 8 chock-full days here. While our base camp wasn't so special (local Fairgrounds RV lot), our time here exploring, visiting with great friends and Mike's Ohio U college reunion with classmates, made this a very memorable visit!

Santa Rosa is located in Sonoma County Wine Country. Napa Valley is just south. We paid a visit to one of the more well known wineries, the Coppola Compound just up the road in Geyserville. It's a beautiful sprawling complex surrounded by vineyards. The main Villa features movie memorabilia, a pool club with cabanas, multi-functions space and a great restaurant.
​Francis talked about the Tivoli Gardens as his main inspiration - "So when we began to develop the idea for this winery, we thought it should be like a resort, basically a wine wonderland, a park of pleasure where people of all ages can enjoy the best things in life – food, wine, music, dancing, games, swimming and performances of all types. A place to celebrate the love of life."

The 1948 Tucker from the movie of the same name starring Jeff Bridges was on display in all its glory.  A rear-engine gem of an auto with a headlight that moved with the steering and direction of the the vehicle!  Ron really enjoyed seeing and learning more about this jewel!

We enjoyed a beautiful lunch on the patio of the restaurant overlooking the vineyards.  Mike had his own truck there at the vineyard.  Filled it up and on its way to Wilton Manors!

And of course there was the wine, wine tasting, and the Francis Ford Coppola movie memorabilia.

One of the main reasons for being in Santa Rosa was our good friends Larry and Bob and their fabulous home and gardens overlooking the town and the valley.  We shared many meals during our visit, concluding with a family Seder Dinner on our last night.

We visited Cornerstone Sonoma, a market place and art-inspired gardens that showcase Sonoma County and its wine country.  A very powerful installation in the gardens honors the Mexican immigrant workers who make Sonoma thrive.

Perched on a bluff high above Santa Rosa sits an unusual vineyard and event space called Paradise Ridge Winery.  The property is beautiful and there are amazing sculptures throughout. Local and international artists are represented and several are from the famous 'Burning Man' yearly event in the Black Rock desert in Nevada. We met the founder Walter Byck and enjoyed hearing about the history of his Winery.

A mini-reunion for Mike and his Ohio U friends Chris Flick, Gayle Anderson, Janis Jones Toennisson, and Kirk Dalrymple in SF.   The Girls stayed downtown at the iconic Sheraton Palace. They visited the Matisse/Diebenkorn exhibit at the SF MOMA followed by diner at Epic Steak in the Embarcadero with the Bay Bridge in the background.

Saturday we all went to the SUMMER OF LOVE EXPERIENCE at the deYoung Museum. We decided to do a separate post since it was such an amazing exhibit.  Afterwards we enjoyed tea in the Japanese Gardens and then back to Chris's Eichler Condo for fun and and a great dinner.  Eichler was a famous architect of modern architecture from the sixties who had an iconic open style usually with courtyards.