Wednesday - Northern California

August 4
just a short jaunt up the coast today to meet up with another good friend.  Clara and I go back to college days of mucking around chasing frogs in the Missoula vicinity.  We figured it had been somewhere around ten years since we'd last seen each other so I was happy she, and her two kids, could make the 45 minute trip from inland to hang out.  Finn relished having a fellow three year old to play with (after nearly a week of being on the road with the two of us as his sole companions).  Our afternoon was spent at Trinidad State Beach together and then out for fish n'chips/clam chowder at the Trinidad Bay Eatery before parting ways.    

Chris, still on the prowl for an opportunity to get out and catch some waves on his new surf board, scouted every potential break with anticipation.  Moonstone beach was beautiful but too uneventful.  Hiking to down to Agate beach from our camp site at Patrick's Point State Park after dinner was an enjoyable scouting session for all.  The surf was deemed worth checking into again in the morning, Finn and I scoured the beach for perfect rocks and Chris inspected the banks to determine the origin of the sediments.  

Monday-Tuesday - Redwoods

Monday, August 2


I can't imagine a more idyllic place to spend a few nights!   After a Long drive up the serpentine Northern California coast via HWY 1 we veered inland on 101, at the Lost Coast, for a few more hours of winding through Redwood forests before landing at our destination, The House in the Redwoods.  The house, nestled into a private corner of Flood Plains Organic Farm is complete with all the fine details of comfort and luxurious simplicity in and out: a private yard scattered with mature fruit (apple, plum, pear) trees, hammock, expansive garden open for wandering/ picking, deck with hot tub, blackberry bushes lining the driveway and unlimited access to anything at the produce stand.  I can already say wholeheartedly that I will be hesitant to move on after only two nights.  For now we will embrace every moment here in the Redwoods and I will be scheming on plans to return another year.

Tuesday, August 3
Driving through the Redwoods is one thing but biking beneath the canopy gives a greater sense of the grandiosity, while exposing the senses to fog-laden, woodsy aromas,  filtered sunbeams contrasted by deeply shaded stretches, skin chilling breezes of rapid hill descents, and the "taste" a bit of pain at the end of 47 miles.  Our route: Avenue of the Giants; Pepperwood to Miranda and back.

Other highlights of the day: 
Blackberry Popsicles from the Flood Plain Organics produce stand.  
Using produce stand and self-picked herbs/vegetables to make pizza with Finn (California mozzarella, walla walla onion, Jimmy Nardello pepper, yellow squash, patti-pan squash, spinach, olive oil and basil).  
A soothing soak in the hot tub.  
Looking forward to savoring the figs we just picked for breakfast........     

Sunday - Salt Point

Sunday August 1 - Salt Point

Starting to lose track of time and days of the week; haven't thought about work in a long time; excited about simple meals; amazed (and sometimes exhausted!) by Finn's running commentary; and just in awe of the beauty of this part of the coast.  just some random thoughts as we are all settling into life on the road.

Today we woke to chilly fog streaming through camp.  After a lazy morning we pulled a true "DuRoss" move and switched camp sites...can only imagine the laughs as I walked about with the tent high above my head....but we were so glad we did as we scored a beautiful quiet site and later watched an 80' long RV pull next door to our previous site.  The rest of the day included a 4 mile hike along the roaring, rocky coast and cashew tofu masala...ahhh why do we work again?  

Tomorrow a long trek noth past the Lost Coast into Redwood country.    

Saturday - Salt Point

After a hearty Oakland breakfast (Batter Blaster!) and send off, we finally found views of the ocean, along with a thousand German-made hybrid SUVs. But past Stinson beach the crowds dwindled as we ventured Into lands too far for a typical weekend getaway from the Bay.  Checked the surf at the salmon creek mouth, but no go - variable wind swept chop...not ideal for the virgin run on the fish...though the locale name was suitable.

Salt Point.  Beautiful, raged wind swept and foggy cliffs...complete with every earthquake geologist's dream: uplifted beach terraces from movement on the San Andreas fault!  No surfing here, but if i weren't a little spooked by strong crashing waves on broken sea stacks and through thick kelp forests, i'd put my wetsuit to good use harvesting some abalone.  

After settling camp we saddled up for a quick ride down to the coast, explored tide pools, watched resting sea lions, and found a rocky nook to watch the sunset.  So amazing to be huddled together as a family, watching something so simple and beautiful.

PS - sorry for the multiple posts...finally have AT&T service!

        

Friday - Oaktown

Day two drive was easier than expected; arrived in Oakland at about 2pm.  Thanks to google maps on iPad, we killed some time at a park along the bay that ended up being a bird-nerd's paradise, including a few random (and eager) shore birds migrating south from the arctic.  We are on the opposite path - pushing north to mist, tall trees, and cold water.  

Afternoon hit and we finally met our destination - old friends from what seems like an epoch ago (actually a decade) when we inhabited this part of the coast.  Great to catch up with Rob and Kristin and meet their amazing 6-month old twin daughters Abby and Emma.  Thanks again guys - and Rob, see you in Memphis!

Tomorrow - Salt Point State Park, where $80 will buy you a whole mess of BBQ oysters, some top shelf wine, or two nights of sleeping on the dirt (but you can't put a price on the sound of crashing waves from your tent!).