Shelton to Lynden / Bellingham KOA in Lynden, Washington

We were on our way to Alaska! (Or so we thought.) Our first leg was to get just south of the border with Canada.

We drove our coach 206 miles, about four hours of driving, from our home base near Shelton to Lynden / Bellingham KOA in Lynden, Washington.

Here’s a map showing our route, heading north:

Map

An interactive map, with potential stops pinned:

Oakland Bay near Shelton:

Oakland Bay near Shelton

Joining I-5 North:

Joining I-5 North

Tacoma Dome:

Tacoma Dome

Rest area with RV dump stations:

Rest area with RV dump stations

Rest area… with a clueless car and a van in the truck parking:

Rest area... with a clueless car in the truck parking

Lunch:

Lunch

Seattle skyline:

Seattle skyline

T-Mobile Park, home of our Seattle Mariners, with a closed roof:

T-Mobile Park, home of our Seattle Mariners, with closed roof

Heavy traffic:

Heavy traffic

Tunnel under convention center:

Tunnel under convention center

Zuck’s megayacht:

Zuck's megayacht

Rest area:

Rest area

I-5 bridge over Skagit River:

I-5 bridge over Skagit River

Almost a collision:

Almost a collision

Arriving at Lynden / Bellingham KOA:

KOA

Narrow driveway:

KOA pond

Our site, #6:

Our site

The site was so short, we had to park our truck over by the office (I think the first time we ever had to do that):

Truck parking

Coburg, Oregon to our home base near Shelton, Washington

We drove our truck from home down to Cummins, then drove our coach back home on the same day; 255 miles (each way), about five hours of driving (each way), from Cummins Coach Care in Coburg, Oregon to our home base near Shelton, Washington… again.

Here’s a map showing our route home, heading north:

Route map

An interactive map, with potential stops pinned:

Our coach:

Our coach

Departing Cummins:

Departing Cummins

I-5 North:

I-5 North

Oops:

Oops

We stopped at the first rest area again, to see if the issue recurs… fortunately it did not; looks like the turbo replacement was the real fix:

We stopped at the first rest area again, to see if the issue recurs

Triple trailer:

Triple trailer

Exit to I-205 North:

Exit to I-205 North

The mountain’s out — Mount Hood:

The mountain's out: Mount Hood

Leaving Portland:

Leaving Portland

Mount Hood again:

Mount Hood again

“Oregon Thanks You; Come Back Soon”; not for a few months, thanks:

Oregon Thanks You; Come Back Soon

Just can’t get enough of Mount Hood:

Mount Hood

Closed rest area:

Closed rest area

Back to Gee Cee’s Truck Stop again:

Gee Cee's Truck Stop

This time, we got fuel:

Gee Cee's Truck Stop fuel

Fuel

And DEF:

DEF

Then we went into their restaurant for dinner:

Restaurant

A long day; getting towards sunset:

Getting towards sunset

Exit towards Shelton:

Exit towards Shelton

Shelton:

Shelton

Our coach at home:

Our coach at home

Shelton, Washington to Cummins Coach Care in Coburg, Oregon

We drove our coach 255 miles, about five hours of driving, from our home base near Shelton, Washington back to Cummins Coach Care in Coburg, Oregon.

Here’s a map showing our route, heading south:

Route map

An interactive map, with potential stops pinned:

On the way:

On the way

Rail crossing:

Rail crossing

WA-101 South:

WA-101 South

“Take Turns Merging When Congested”… yep, that’s how it’s supposed to work; zipper merge, people:

Take Turns Merging When Congested

To I-5 South:

To i-5 South

Engine fire:

Engine fire

Bump:

Bump

A pipe thing… I wonder what it is? ChatGPT thinks it’s a conveyer segment, which seems plausible. Looks like a catwalk and handrail on the right inside:

A pipe thing

Gee Cee’s Truck Stop, a favorite stop on I-5:

Bee Gee's Truck Stop

They have a restaurant and deli:

Restaurant and deli

We had lunch at the restaurant:

Restaurant menu

Lunch

Back to our coach:

Back to our coach

Train:

Train

Interstate drawbridge between Washington and Oregon:

Interstate drawbridge between Washington and Oregon

Entering Oregon:

Entering Oregon

Welcome to Oregon:

Welcome to Oregon

Fremont Bridge:

Fremont Bridge

Portland:

Portland

Aerial tram:

Aerial tram

Coburg exit, again:

Coburg exit, again

Back to Cummins:

Back to Cummins

Parked at Cummins:

Parked at Cummins

Newport, Oregon

Since we had an unplanned weekend stay in Albany due to coach issues, we decided to make the most of it with a drive to the Oregon coast.

Here’s an interactive map of our driving route, heading clockwise:

Newport, Oregon is a fishing town, with a number of murals:

Mural

Yaquina Bay Bridge:

Yaquina Bay Bridge

We went to Mo’s for lunch:

Mo's

Mo's menu

Mo's

Jenn’s Crab Slumgullion sourdough bread bowl:

Crab Slumgullion sourdogh bread bowl

My cup of clam chowder; I also had fish & chips, but forgot to take a picture of that:

Cup of clam chowder

Crabbing:

Crabbing

Pacific Seafood Surimi Plant:

Pacific Seafood

We bought some chocolates and taffy, as is required when visiting the Oregon coast:

Taffy

Watching a snuggle pile of sea lions:

Sea lions

We then headed up the coast a bit, to take a slightly longer way home.

Baseball: Seattle Mariners vs Houston Astros

We attended a game of our Seattle Mariners vs Houston Astros, playing at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington.

An interactive map of the ballpark:

Long lines for Humpy shoulder plush giveaway day:

Long lines for Humpy giveaway day

Ken Griffey, Jr statue:

Ken Griffey, Jr statue

Edgar Martinez statue:

Edgar Martinez statue

Brand-new Ichiro Suzuki statue:

Brand-new Ichiro Suzuki statue

Skybridge to Club level:

Skybridge to Club level

Roof closed:

Roof closed

Fish & chips; alas, they were out of ferry boat dishes:

Fish & chips

We bought a blanket, as it was about 50° F:

We bought a blanket, as it was about 50° F

Recent Mariners history:

Recent Mariners history

View from our seats; Section 222, Row 3, Seats 11 & 12:

View from our seats

Roof closed:

Roof closed

Humpy shoulder plush on Jenn’s hat:

Humpy shoulder plush on Jenn's hat

Chocolate mousse moose (that is actually just ice cream, not mousse):

Chocolate mousse moose (that is actually just ice cream, not mousse)

Humpy costume:

Humpy costume

Great State Burger:

Great State Burger

Tasty burger:

Great State Burger

Humongous Humpy:

Humongous Humpy

Astros lineup:

Astros lineup

Mariners lineup:

Mariners lineup

Mariners

View from our seats

Play ball:

Baseball

Media booths:

Mariners TV:

Mariners TV

Baseball

Moose

Baseball

Whose Hiney? (It was Logan Gilbert’s):

Whose Hiney? (It was Logan)

Hat game:

Hat game

Baseball

Salmon Run:

Salmon Run

Bear ate Humpy!

2025 AL West Champions:

2025 AL West Champions

Surprise marriage proposal:

Surprise marriage proposal

Baseball

All aboard

Checkup

Baseball

Broken bat:

Baseball

Home run

Baseball

Hydro Challenge:

Hydro Challenge

Flashlights

Split Screen Speed Date:

Split Screen Speed Date

ABS challenge:

ABS challenge

Foul Ball Dance Party:

Foul Ball Dance Party

Reliever

Baseball

Humpy:

Humpy

Reliver

Baseball

Rally Time

Wide angle

All Aboard

Tied game in the bottom of 9th:

Scores

Walk off win:

Walk off win

Win

Winner

Baseball

Lodi to Mount Shasta City KOA Holiday in Mount Shasta, California

We drove our coach 255 miles, about five hours of driving, from Flag City RV Resort in Lodi to Mount Shasta City KOA Holiday in Mount Shasta, California.

Here’s a map showing our route, heading north:

Route map

An interactive map, with potential stops pinned:

Entering I-5 North:

Entering I-5 North

Sacramento River:

Sacramento River

Rest area:

Rest area

Billboard for Granzella’s… truck & RV parking, eh? Interesting… I quickly investigated them for a lunch stop:

Billboard for Granzella's... truck & RV parking, eh? Interesting...

Swimming pools:

Swimming pools

Granzella’s parking looked compatible, so exit to Williams:

Exit to Williams

Williams arch:

Williams arch

The aforementioned truck & RV parking:

The aforementioned truck & RV parking

Parked:

Parked

Granzella’s Restaurant:

Granzella's

Granzella’s

Tasty:

Granzella’s

Later, a rest area:

Rest area

Mount Shasta in the distance:

Mount Shasta

Shasta Lake:

Shasta Lake

Bridge

Paladin asleep:

Paladin asleep

Mount Shasta:

Mount Shasta

Castle Crags:

Castle Crags

Mount Shasta:

Mount Shasta

Pointy peak:

Pointy peak

City of Mount Shasta:

City of Mount Shasta

Arriving at Mount Shasta City KOA Holiday:

Mount Shasta KOA

A narrow access road:

A narrow access road

Mount Shasta KOA

Campground map:

Campground map

Our site, #32:

Our site

Take note of the neighbor RV; we saw them again at our next stop, too:

Our site

A tight access road, but a perfectly fine place for a one-night stop. Though some train horn noise. Not a lot of options in this area; KOA is easy.

Baseball: Anaheim Angels vs Seattle Mariners

We attended a game of the Anaheim Angels vs our Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium in Orange, California.

Jenn’s game summary:

Opening day in Anaheim stumbled out of the gate, with the anthem singer mugging for time due to a botched flyover by vintage fighter planes. The crowd booed the outgoing president of baseball ops and remained agitated throughout the game. Fans seemed more into the party than the game itself. Bryan Woo was electric for the M’s, but our bats were quiet until the 10th when Cole Young tripled to score the ghost runner, and Josh Naylor hit Julio and Cole in. The Angels got one back with a sac fly in the bottom of the 10th, but too little too late. Overall, a subpar experience at a subpar park, but the Mariners won, so a net positive.

An interactive map of the ballpark:

Angel Stadium

Pressed penny:

Pressed penny

Looking for a pin for our board:

Looking for a pin for our board

Chicken burger and fries:

Chicken burger and fries

Batting practice:

Batting practice

Earthquake instructions:

Earthquake instructions

Waterfall:

Waterfall

Dessert waffles:

Dessert waffles

Mariners vs Angels:

Mariners vs Angels

Welcome to Opening Week:

Welcome to Opening Week

Players lining up:

Players lining up

Angels arriving:

Angels arriving

Big flag:

Big flag

Late flyover:

Late flyover

Play ball:

Baseball

Beachball:

Beachball

Baseball

Churro:

Churro

Baseball

Exploring the ballpark:

Exploring the ballpark

Challenge:

Challenge

Pacman race:

Pacman race

Hat game:

Hat game

Replay:

Replay

Challenge:

Challenge

Cheerleaders:

Cheerleaders

Baseball

Conference

Baseball

Big hats:

Big hats

Disney Springs and Paseo

We went to Downtown Disney in California, and the Paseo restaurant, to celebrate our wedding anniversary.

An interactive map:

Downtown Disney

Paseo, a fancy Mexican-themed restaurant:

Paseo

“QUESO FUNDIDO; gruyère fondue, roasted wild mushrooms, salsa macha, chorizo verde, shallots, charred masa bread”:

Paseo

“CARNE ASADA; goat cheese fondue, oven-roasted tomatoes, roasted shishito, fingerling potatoes g f 12 oz ny steak”:

Paseo

“SHORT RIBS; braised short ribs, oven-roasted tomato, charred avocado, pinto beans, blend of guajillo & ancho chiles, salsa verde, flour tortillas”:

Paseo

“PAVLOVA; classic meringue, fresh orange pee purée, guava pâte de fruit, horchata foam” (a tasty variation on the Kiwi classic):

Paseo

We stopped in the Star Wars Trading Post on the way out:

Star Wars Trading Post

Downtown Disney

Baseball: San Diego Padres vs San Francisco Giants

We attended a game of the San Diego Padres vs San Francisco Giants at Petco Park in San Diego, California.

Jenn’s game summary:

The Padres beat the Giants 7-1, with an excellent start from Nick Pivetta, who limited the Giants’ offense. Adrian Houser allowed a couple of early runs and was hobbled by sloppy defense. The game stayed fairly quiet until the 8th when the Padres scored 5 runs, including a home run to break it open. The Giants managed just one run late and never really threatened. Petco Park is absolutely beautiful with decently priced seats and excellent food options, including tri-tip nachos and banana pudding (in a helmet). Friendly staff and perfect weather for a ballgame.

An interactive map of the ballpark:

Petco Park

Hall of Fame:

Hall of Fame

Team store:

Team store

Museum:

Museum

Seaside Market:

Seaside Market

Tri-tip nachos:

Tri-tip nachos

Banana pudding:

Banana pudding

View from our seats; section 101, row 17, seats 19 & 20:

View from our seats; section 101, row 17, seats 19 & 20

Seat selfie

Fun Padres mascot:

Fun Padres mascot

Umpire assignments:

Umpire assignments

Petco Park:

Petco Park

Play ball:

Play ball

Baseball

ABS challenge:

ABS challenge

Baseball

Out at home:

Baseball

Exploring the ballpark:

Exploring the ballpark

Pretzel:

Pretzel

Baseball

Baseball: Arizona Diamondbacks vs Detroit Tigers

We attended a game of the Arizona Diamondbacks vs Detroit Tigers at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.

Jenn’s game summary:

At Chase Field, the roof was open to a warm desert evening as Opening Day unfolded—pregame ceremonies, a military flyover, and a packed crowd setting the tone. The D’backs built an early lead (Corbin Carroll had a triple and a home run) and held off the Tigers 9-6 to secure their first win of the season. Michael Soroka set the tone in dominant form, including an immaculate inning, before turning things over to the bullpen, which promptly imploded, giving up 6 runs in the 7th inning. The home crowd booed their own squad before the D’backs got another homer in the bottom of the inning to get things back on track for Paul Sewald to close it out. The churro dog was interesting, but it was no Disneyland churro.

An interactive map of the ballpark:

Chase Field