The Epic Road Trip Begins
As the sun set over the Pacific, we motored leisurely up Highway 1 in northern California, chillin’ to our classic rock road trip tunes.
Also called the Pacific Coast Highway, or PCH for us locals, I was still in awe, at the jaw-dropping beauty of the endless Pacific ocean on one side and on the other, lush green hills, dotted with cows peacefully doing their thing.
Winding our way along the narrow two lane road, we wondered how we could still be in the same state we live in – it was all so different, so achingly beautiful. We were almost bewildered by the vastness of this much nature, without all the cars, people, businesses and noise we are surrounded by in Silicon Valley.
I wondered to myself why we didn’t live somewhere more like this. As I dreamed of my next home, somewhere peaceful, but warmer, near the ocean, I was startled back into reality when the kids asked, “Hey Mom, where are we staying tonight? Sun’s going down soon…”
These road trips have become a thing with me and the kids, who are now almost adults. I sighed to myself, “Where does the time go?” and was reminded of one of my favorite quotes:
“Life, if well lived, is long enough.”
– Seneca
Considering how busy and structured most of our lives are, on our road trips we like to play it fast and loose – to do what we like, when we like, so we don’t plan much.
As the sun set, we approached a particularly treacherous part of the PCH that has no lights at night and which I wanted to avoid, with the teens in the car. Seeing the inviting Jenner Inn, which is about 90 minutes north of San Francisco, we pulled in and excitedly strolled up to the front door.
It was locked, which we discovered is common with many small lodging establishments, who normally only have someone to greet people with reservations. Then we saw someone inside, so we banged loudly on the door.
A friendly woman opened up and explained they were completely booked and that their restaurant was closed due to the pandemic, but that we may have luck inland. It was then we all heard our stomachs start growling – it was time for dinner!
By this point I decided we should probably try to book something online. We checked our cell phones, but had no service. For a moment I thought, “Shit LDub, you are not driving this next stretch of the PCH in the pitch black darkness to find a hotel!”
Next Stop: Guernville
For those of you that know me or have read my About page or other Blogs, you know I served in the US Army (read my blog here!). For this reason, I still use quite a few expressions I learned back then. The one that sprang to mind now was, “Time to make a command decision!”
This led me to declare to the kids, “Get in. We’re heading to the 101…”, which is the highway off of the coast, that has more lanes, a lot less winding and potential for driving off cliffs in the dark. This sounded like the best option, so we piled in the car and continued our adventure north.
I guess now is a good a time to also mention the timing of this road trip: over the New Year’s holiday, as my oldest teen’s birthday is January 1st. Thinking to myself I grumbled, “Alright LDub – next time book the damn hotel ahead of time on holidays!”
Now it was dark, so we backtracked a few miles down the PCH, to the connecting road to highway 101. We snaked through the quaint towns of Sonoma County, passing all kinds of adorable inn’s, which all seemed to have their NO VACANCY signs up.
About 20 miles inland, we arrived at the quiet town of Guerneville, near the Russian River. Rolling past more lodging, the West Sonoma Inn & Spa appeared. Thankfully they didn’t have the no vacancy sign up, so we sped into the driveway.
By now we were tired and famished. We picked up the phone receiver outside and spoke to the grounds keeper, who appeared in person in a flash. He led us into the lobby and we booked a very reasonably priced cottage on the spot!
Now that we had secured our place for the night, we followed our cravings to the Guerneville Taco Truck, picked up our orders to take to our cottage and hungrily dove into the yummy tacos.
Our comfortable cottage had a separate kitchenette area, complete with coffees, teas, hot chocolate and the like, with a mini sink and the coolest retro looking fridge!
After a good night’s sleep in the inviting beds, we slept in a bit, had our morning coffees and hot chocolates and picked up muffins and fruit to go at the local grocery. We all chimed in and agreed our next stop on our grand adventure, would be lunch somewhere on the Lost Coast!
Road Trip Stop 3: Eureka
Thoroughly relaxed and enjoying our spontaneous wanderings, we motored back to the PCH, winding through stunning coastal towns of Sea Ranch, Gualala, past the Point Arena Lighthouse, to where the PCH turned into Shoreline Highway, into the area known as the Lost Coast.
Making a quick pitstop in beautiful Mendocino, I got recaffeinated with a delish café mocha at the Good Life Café & Bakery. Given we took a prior road trip to Mendocino, where we enjoyed an awesome few days, we got back on the road to make our late lunch at the amazingly cool Lost Coast Brewery & Café.
Delish food, yummy beers and the most rockin’ fun décor, we also got my birthday kiddo a cool t-shirt! We strolled through the charming downtown, promising ourselves to make another shopping trip here for vintage finds.
For those of you that like a relaxed, low-key, less crowded vibe, with nothing fancy, it is absolutely worth the trip. The Lost Coast is part of Mendocino and Humboldt counties and approaches the California-Oregon border. Stunning beaches, quirky shops and casual eateries welcome those who make the voyage.
Considering it was New Year’s eve, you may be wondering if we had any luck with getting a place to stay? My heart was set on one of the historic Victorian inns, the Carter House Inn or the Inn at 2nd and C. Making our way to each, I tried my best to sweet talk them into a last minute room for us.
It was NEW YEAR’S EVE, so all the savvy folks planned ahead and got the choice reservations. I wondered, “Damn LDub, what were you thinking?” Instead we made due with a clean, comfy room at one of the budget hotel chains and broke out our New Year’s party horns, hats and tiara’s – woohoo! Celebrating our way into the new year, with only a bit of fireworks after midnight, our next mission was to drive back south, inland, through the magical redwoods!
Fortified by a fantastic birthday and New Year’s day brunch in an unassuming, casual atmosphere at Café Nooner Too in Eureka, we piled into the car and headed inland, to the famous giant redwood forests.
Road Trip Final Stop: The Redwood Forest
Tourists from near and far visit our redwood forests, with many trekking to the well-known Muir Woods. As locals, we know how insanely busy places like these are, so we avoid them.
Instead, we journey to places like Humboldt County, to experience these mystical forests, with only the whisper of the wind and occasional car or people around.
Walking through nature’s natural wonders, I felt at peace. Leaves crunching beneath our feet, we breathed in the crisp air, without our usual banter. Once we soaked in the quiet stillness and beauty, we decided it was time to meander onward.
Several miles away and in stark contrast to the blissful moments in nature, we ran across a hilarious outpost called The Legend of Bigfoot, when the teens laughingly screamed, “We MUST stop here!”
Located in the middle of the Humboldt County redwoods, Richardson Grove State Park and Benbow State Reserve, the former logging town of Garberville is home to this welcome depot. We picked up a few souvenirs, including a new coffee mug for me – my thing; a new hoodie for the birthday kiddo – their thing – and a few other kitschy items.
Funny photos taken and bathroom breaks done, we pressed on further south to the delightful Peg House, situated among the magnificent trees in Mendocino County, where we ravenously consumed their delectable burgers. Their saying, “Never don’t stop at the Peg House” is true-it’s one of those little gems you should not miss on this stretch!
Aware our brief road trip was coming to an end, I felt grateful for all that life has given me. These irreplaceable experiences with my kids. The sublime beauty that surrounds us. The ability to make my dreams reality, like this road trip adventure.
My heart full, this quote came to mind,
“A mind that is stretched by new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.”
– Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
Are you longing for your next adventure? In need of new experiences to expand your heart and mind?
The choices are yours. There is beauty all around us. Soak in the love in your life. Make a new choice to try something you haven’t done. You can LIVE LIFE FULL OUT! and enrich your body, mind and soul. What are you waiting for…
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