Road tripping to Pacific coast. Looking for inspiration- homes, farms, people.

My wife, 8 yr old daughter and I are thinking we'll load up in the camper van and head to the coast next week from Idaho. Roughly speaking, we may access the California coast via Reno>Yuba City>Fort Bragg and work north a bit......or instead, drive I-84 to the Northern Oregon coast and work south.

Would love to visit any natural homes/buildings, permaculture farms and/or like-minded people along that way....or in the general vicinity. Always looking for inspiration/ideas. Would anyone like to give us a short tour of their place?

Also, are there any happenings some where along that route...eco art expos, permaculture convergences, etc that we should visit?

We'll have about 10 days beginning Sat the 23rd.

Thanks.

Contact LivingHills homestead in Willits, in Mendocino Co...

http://livinghills.weebly.com/index.html

A great sustainability project in Northern California...

I'd be happy to meet you. I'm just west of Portland. You can park in our (quiet) driveway for the night, if you'd like. Message me if you're interested.

Thanks, Livingwind! Unfortunately, under their FAQ, "Can I come for a tour/short visit", the answer is a flat out "no". Another place, I won't mention, wanted $50. 

Gordwelch,...thank you for your offer! Much appreciated! This trip is looking to be a very seat-of-the-pants thing right now, ie, we haven't a clue as to what we're doing yet. I put off the planning thinking I had plenty of time but here it is three days prior to departure...and still no plan.  Ouch! At any rate, I'll keep you in mind.

Where does time go? I don't know whose quote it is but I'm reminded of it far too often these days: "time waits for no one".

Onward........

Some of my favorite memories of family road trips are out on the scenic byways between california and the saw tooth mountains, lovely country. Best of luck in your endeavors stay off the interstates and you will do fine.

Aaron Wallace wrote:
Some of my favorite memories of family road trips are out on the scenic byways between california and the saw tooth mountains, lovely country. Best of luck in your endeavors stay off the interstates and you will do fine.

We live 2.5 hrs south of the the Sawtooth range. Love spending time there!

Thanks.

Whatever Rusty, so long as I know long enough before you get here to give you directions!

gordwelch wrote:
Whatever Rusty, so long as I know long enough before you get here to give you directions!

Appreciate it! 

I wasn't able to get the brakes on my van fixed so have postponed for a couple wks.

Would still love to hear some ideas, meet others, see farms, natural buildings, etc.

Gord....I sent you an email as well.

Thanks,
rusty

Pm me for a phone number I live an hour north of Portland, on the 30. still getting familiar with my place and with permaculture so nothing amazing going on but I realy do have a backyard quieter than any campsite you can drive into, you be welcome to camp here, and if you've got car problems anywhere within a couple of hours of me I can probably help.

Brice Moss wrote:
Pm me for a phone number I live an hour north of Portland, on the 30. still getting familiar with my place and with permaculture so nothing amazing going on but I realy do have a backyard quieter than any campsite you can drive into, you be welcome to camp here, and if you've got car problems anywhere within a couple of hours of me I can probably help.

Thanks for your offer! Not sure we'll make it that far north but we still don't have a solid plan. I'll definitely keep you in mind though.

I'll only be upset if I hear ya broke down round the bend and didn't give a call the Oregon coast is beautiful this time of year and pretty sparsely populated in places

Brice Moss wrote:
I'll only be upset if I hear ya broke down round the bend and didn't give a call the Oregon coast is beautiful this time of year and pretty sparsely populated in places

Breaking down on road trips seemed to happen too often with our 79 Westfalia. Our Eurovan has never stranded us though, knock on wood. (hope I didn't just jinx myself!!)

Speaking of the coast, from Portland down to Florence, is there much nice free camping? We drove from Florence south last July and finding quiet spots on land that was NOT posted "No Trespassing" or "No Camping" proved to be a challenge at times. Of course, in that regard, perhaps I'm just spoiled living in Idaho....

most the places you can camp free here you have to hike into though Tillamook forest is kinda cool it is managed for multi use which means not only can you camp just about anywhere you can also ride motor toys on the logging roads in all the sections that are not being logged this year.