I drove a total of just over 2000 miles these last few days and I have to tell you coming home felt good. I loved the drive from Paso Robles to Lincoln City. Those of you that have not made the drive on 101 should take the time to do it. It has some beautiful spots. Not only do you go through San Francisco and Golden Gate Park, but you wind through the Coastal Redwoods of both Mendocino and Sonoma. You pass the vineyards of Windsor, Healdsberg, Geyserville, and Hopland and then into the mountains where the air is clean and fresh and the trees are green and dark.
When you begin to see the Redwoods they look like the rest at first and then the road tightens and you begin to slowly wind through the tall beauties. If you catch it at the right time of day the sun filters through and you know this is part of heaven. There is a drive that you can take that parallels 101 called the Avenue of the Giants. I took a portion of it and found some astounding groves. But if you don't want to get off 101 you do go right by Richardson Grove and Jensen Grove. At one of these just pull over and stand with your hand on some of the oldest living things on the planet. When you think that some of these trees were around when Jesus walked the earth, then it makes you both humble and joyous that we have these wonderous trees still around to savor. I stood there near sunset with the sun making golden sunbeams through the branches and felt the quiet and stillness of the forest they have stood for a thousand years. Amazing.
Then you begin to see the seascapes. Ever changing, and yet the constant that is the sea. Crashing against rocks or lapping against a beach it doesn't matter to me, it is all amazingly stunning in its wild natural exhilarating beauty.
As you go farther north and hit the Oregon coast you will begin to see the haystacks as they are called. The large rock formations in the ocean that up and make such a wonderful display for us. You see driftwood beaches and long stretches to walk. The pace slows as does the speed limit when you cross into Oregon, but the scenic splendor gets better. You find yourself faced with more turnouts at views that will take your breath away and places to get out and stretch your legs and take lots and lots of pictures that you will want to keep. It is a long but gorgeous drive that if you take the time to see it will stay with you for a life time.
Cal and I have been extremely lucky to see many of these types of drives that we have done all over the western US. Doing it alone this time was fun and a bit disappointing as I didn't have anyone to share the blue sky and the wonderful scenes with. So, take someone you care about and put them in the car, share a little time on the road with them.
I am home staring a a gold and blood red sunset, with Cal and the puppies by my side. It can't get much better than that. But I have the memories of the Coastal Redwoods, the miles and miles of vineyards, and the coast line I have come to love in my mind and in my camera. I cannot think of much better than that.
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