NorCal

 The next stop on our trip was a stay in Etna, Ca in the beautiful Scott Valley area [not to be confused with Scott's Valley further south].  We were able to get a break from RV life as we accepted the generous offer to stay in the Etna home of our friends Peter and Christi Sturges who own the spectacular Otter Bar Lodge in Forks of Salmon, CA.  They were busy with the lodge so the house was empty and we were able to move right in for our time here.  Many thanks for that.

Etna is a small, peaceful town of about 700 located in the Scott River valley, an agricultural area surrounded by the Marble Mountains, part of the Coast Range.  I lived there for about 10 years in the 90's before life moved me to other locations, but I always loved this area as it offers great outdoor activities [cycling, skiing, fishing etc.] without having to share with tourists and crowds.  The town has upgraded over the years, mostly thanks to a few former locals [I used to watch them play football when I lived here] who left to 'make good' and have returned to invest in their hometown.  They took the old drugstore, a beautiful brick building, and created the Denny Bar Restaurant and Distillery, an upper-scale eatery which draws patrons from the entire area.  Town also enjoys a new french bakery and butcher shop which serve up some great food.

While in town we got to visit with quite a few old friends although time did not allow for us to visit all.  Kelly was able to get away to the coast with her sister, Amy, for a few days and I'm sure they got pretty wild and had a great time.  Before she left, she and I were able to get a really nice bike ride in through the valley.  This area has some wonderful road riding with nicely paved roads, low traffic and great scenery.

We also got to visit with our son, Cody, and his two charming boys Adam and Jacob. It's a shame everyone is so spread out across the country and we only get to see them occasionally.