Our stay in Bend & Sisters was wonderful! We definitely feel this could be our USA home…one day. But it was time to head to California. We stopped several times in Oregon along 101 to check out the rough sea tossed about by the strong winds. We were impressed with the numerous vineyards in Oregon and the costly price of a bottle of wine. We landed in one of the most beautiful campgrounds on the coast of Oregon, Cape Blanco State Park. Behind our site was a 75 foot cliff that dropped to the sea below. The sound of the crashing waves was amazing at night. The ride through the Redwoods was so beautiful that both Lutz and I thought of home…Germany and the Black Forest.
I'm Melinda Stevens and living the life of a beach bum was inevitable since my father was a lifeguard for the city of Los Angeles. My memories of growing up on John Street in Manhattan Beach, California were filled with joy, excitement and adventures; until my world, as I knew it, fell apart when we moved to Del Mar, California. My father was offered the position as Captain of the lifeguards and we started the slow migration to the small deserted stretch of beach in 1963. At twelve years old, this seemed like the end of my life. Remember, I’m writing with clear hindsight now, ok somewhat clearer… Little did I know this would be the beginning of a new journey and give a bit more clarity to many of the events that led me to this new cooking adventure.