Ashland to McCloud

 We enjoyed our last couple of days in Ashland.   Laurel recommended a couple of their favorite restaurants, and we found just enough time to try two.  We had a delicious breakfast/lunch (brunch?) at Morning Glory Cafe.    Once again, Dave ordered a huge burrito, saying that he'd never be able to eat the whole thing.....yeah, right Dave.....

 To work off all that food, we headed off into the mountains for an auto hike I'd read about.

  

pretty mud patterns!

After crossing a small, flooded section of road, we pulled off and got out to watch for birds that always seem to always gather at any available water.    Again, no pictures but we did have a good time feeding some very nosy Clark's Nutcrackers who flew down to see what we were doing.    We carry a bag of almonds in the car and they thought them a real delicacy!   

on top of Mt. Ashland

We aborted the track after a few hours because the "road" was becoming very rough and washed out, it was getting late in the afternoon, and it appeared we still had almost 30 more miles to go!    An out and back route is just as much fun as a loop, right?

On our last day we were finally able to sit outside for second cup.   The sun was shining, and the temperature was just right.     We were entertained by a large group of Mergansers obviously practicing for a synchronized swimming event......  They were too far away for a good photo, but we laughed and laughed at their antics.

After a little housekeeping and a tiny nap, we had dinner at Larks, the lovely dining room in the historic Ashland Springs Hotel.

It was one of the best meals we've had in a very very long time.    A young Jesse would have proclaimed it a "slap your chest and fall back in your chair" meal.  That has been our benchmark for excellence ever since.      Our waitress was delightful and helped with a couple choices I was wrestling with.    Old standbys surprised us with their over-the-top flavors and combinations.      Perfect ending to another great stop in Oregon.

Yesterday we made the short 85-mile drive to McCloud, California.   The wind was howling, and we were trying to stay behind the black sky and heavy rain that was forming ahead of us.    We stopped for a leisurely lunch, trying to waste some time.    Didn't work....the front slowed down, and we ended up driving the rest of the way in wind driven rain.      Once again, Dave praised the steering stabilizer system he installed on Beluga last year.

 We've been here before and always feel like the massive peak of Mt. Shasta is watching over us.      We'll be in McCloud for a few days until we continue our southerly trek.    

Next a quick stop in Susanville.