Summer 2012 Summary

Absolutely a wonderful summer!  While I wish the adventure could continue another few months, it is time to head south and escape the throes of winter.  But here is a summary of summer 2012 (from our arrival in Tucson (late June) to our return to Marin (early October).

10 nights in motels
9 nights backpacking
6 nights cycle camping
54 nights car camping
5 nights inside homes (on the floor with our mats and bags)
19 nights inside homes (in real beds)
31 different campgrounds
2 countries and 7 states

1.  Best Day Hikes:

• Iron Mountain, Oregon; 
• Grasshopper Pass, Washington
• Enchanted Valley, Washington

2.  Best Park Ranger Program

• Capitol Reef -- mountain lions
• Great Basin -- dark skies

3.  Favorite National Park

• Olympic National Park, Washington
• North Cascades National Park, Washington

4.  Best Campground

• Ione, Washington
• Wright's Lake, California
• Clyde Lake, California

5.  Worst Campground

• Colusa - Sacramento River, California
• Bonner's Ferry, Idaho

6.  Best Day Bike Riding

• Creston to Crawford Bay in BC
• Chilly Hilly on Bainbridge Island (because the blackberries!)

7.  Best Wildlife Spotted

• Mountain Lion and Eagle on bike path in Idaho
• Bear on hike in North Cascades

8.  Best Meal Out

• Poppy's in Seattle for dessert
• Portland food carts

9.  Special Mention Moments

• Sunset sail with Jill & Brent on sv Cayusa
• Tour of the Gates Foundation:  David Rocks!!!!

10.  Favorite National Monument

• Canyon deChelly, Arizona
• Lava Beds, California

11.  Best Visitor Center

• John Day Fossil Monument in Oregon

12.  Other special memories

• Time with family and friends all along the route
• Becoming WA residents
• Fresh fruit pies at Capitol Reef with Alisa & Joe
• Navajo seniors on line at the Burger King in  Canyon deChelly
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