Day One - 442 miles

We made it onto the road by 8:20 am, our goal was to hit the road by 8 am.  Quite good for us.  I don't think we could fit an extra toothbrush into the car.  Fred did an amazing job of filling the car like a 3D puzzle.  Our first stop was Starbucks on N. Main for some liquid sustenance.  Merlin started out on my lap (Fred was driving).  I started this habit when he was a puppy and it is pretty much the only way he will ride in the car now.  Every now and then he will slide down into the foot well and sit on my feet, all 20 lbs. of him.  

We stopped at the Olive Pit in Corning, CA.  Anything with olives, they have.  We really like the Muffuletta olives and bought some garlic stuffed green olives too.  They also have an awesome selection of jams, olive oils and gift items.  I could spend a lot of money there.  http://www.olivepit.com/ 

We went to my cousin's home in Redding, CA for lunch.  Pam made a great lunch and Don reviewed some fishing information for Fred.  Don was the one who helped Fred learn how to fish.  Fred caught his first salmon last summer outside of Ketchikan with Don.  Don was pretty excited to be fishing in Alaska and caught two salmon himself.  We ate very well that week.  

We stopped at the Best Western Motel in Roseburg, OR.  Roseburg is almost exactly half way from Walnut Creek, CA to Anacortes, WA.  This is a very nice motel, includes a hot breakfast and is very dog friendly.  Merlin definitely approved.