September 26 Thursday - Drove from Barstow, California to Arroyo Grande, California
There were lots of oil wells pumping as we drove through the area around the town of Taft, Ca. Missing the McKitnik turn-off we continued south around the Monument mountains. We arrived on the coast at about 5 pm and found a Motel 6 in Grover Beach and after settling in we drove down to Fins Seafood Bar and Grill at the beach. Accompanying our very tasty dinner was Jane's Gang performing music from a number of different genres.The songs I knew were the 70's and 80's.
September 28 Saturday - Grover Beach to Livermore, California
After spending a day visiting cousins outside of the town of Arroyo Grande we left and headed north on the coastal highway. That route was not speedy but very beautiful. Given options I would choose to do this going southbound rather than northbound as there are lots of pull-outs with exceptional views. Parts of this road are windy, twisting along the crags of the coastal hills but there are sections where the state has spent time widening the road. We arrived in Livermore around 6 just in time for dinner made for all by my aunt.
We would spend the next couple of days visiting cousins, having lunch at the golf club and relaxing. There are lots of vineyards around Livermore that produce very good wine.
October 1 Tuesday - Livermore to Bodega Bay, California
After a beautiful breakfast we left my aunt and headed north. There are tolls for all bridges in the San Francisco area and with the morning commute hour decided to avoid going into the city. We took a northern highway paying a toll on one bridge and headed to Beringer's Winery in Napa Valley. Once again I missed a turn so we headed north on one road out of Napa and came to Calistoga. I was kind of glad to have missed the original turn-off as the ride through the valley was filled with the colours of fall. Calistoga is a small unique touristy town with the old buildings. Circling through the town we headed back south and eventually found Beringer's Winery. The estate is amazing. The drive into the parking lot takes you under some huge old trees that shade the lawns and gardens from the intense summer sun. Buying 2 bottles of wine there and taking some pictures we left. A short distance north is the Culinary Institute where one can indulge in food created by students. Due to time we decided to forgo that pleasure and head to the coast. Choosing a more direct west route we took a narrow road that had a number of washouts where the road was slowly slipping away down an embankment. I do like adventure but this was almost scary. Arriving on the other side of these hills we breathed a sigh of relief as we were now on a well paved 2 lane highway not worried about deer in the road as we came around corners. Our nightly stop was at Bodega Bay where we got a nice room at the Bodega Harbour Inn. Bodega Bay was the town used by Alfred Hitchcock in his famous film THE BIRDS.
October 2 - Wednesday - Bodega Bay to Fort Bragg
As mentioned before the coast highway can be windy and sometimes quite narrow. Do not be in a hurry. Some drivers know the road and I pulled over to let those in a hurry pass. Enjoying the scenery is really not possible if you are the driver and needing to concentrate on keeping your vehicle on the road. Traveling north falling into the ocean seemed unlikely but there were areas that had road fixing after rock slides so no matter which way one was driving danger could be right around the corner. California has spent a lot of money on road upgrades along with bridges to make this very scenic drive safer. This route is an absolute must see for all those visiting this state. Allow 4 to 6 hours to travel between these two locations mainly if you stop and visit the small hamlets and villages along the way and the many viewpoints. We saw elk in a field of cattle along the way. Arriving in Fort Bragg we settled into the Beachcomber Motel. We were given a room with a huge hot tub where I would spend some time relaxing and soaking. We decided to spend 2 nights here and then headed for a seafood dinner on the Noyo River looking out toward the Pacific. We sat at a picnic table, ate and watched the sun go down. Delicious food!
October 4 - Fort Bragg to Brookings, Oregon
Leaving the next day from Fort Bragg I decided that someone else drive. We got some edibles from the motel and fuelled up. Climbing up the coastal mountains going north is a challenge. I had done all the driving and I had driven this part of the highway a number of times. The road is narrow and windy, winding between large Redwood trees. It had been mentioned that roads heading inland from here were all narrow and windy so it really didn't matter which route we took. It was nice to sit back and enjoy the ride and be the navigator. It took about 1 1/2 hours to get to Highway 101. The #1 was a beautiful route but to be honest I was glad to be back on a wider road with gentle corners. The trees along Highway 101 take your breath away: tall sturdy and old. We did not drive along the Avenue of the Giants, but we had a glimpse of the lives of these magnificent trees. We came across a large herd of elk ( maybe 100 ) grazing in a field. Northern California has it's beauty with the beaches, animal life and plant life. We went through Eureka and Crescent City before arriving in Brookings, Oregon around 4 pm. We found an Oceanside motel with a room with 2 king beds and a small balcony where we could sit and watch the waves crash against the rocks and logs that laid on the beach. I was itching to consume some Mexican food and we were directed to a restaurant in the town center. La Floras Mexican Restaurant had a kind of 50's look to it. The food was great, A+, and so was our waitress.
October 5 - Brookings to Wilsonville south of Portland
Our vacation was slowly coming to an end and getting home seemed to be on our minds. We headed east from 101 to connect with Interstate 5 making it to south of Portland. The car needed an oil change and a Jiffy Lube was spotted from the highway. Making a number of turns we arrived just before they closed and had the car attended to. Across the street was spotted a motel and a restaurant. We got a rather small room in the ma & pa motel and headed for dinner next door. I had never heard of the Black Bear Diner but they are located in the central and western US. The restaurant houses a lot of old items and time could be spent browsing around looking at old newspapers, pictures,etc. like a museum. The food was presented like artwork and very tasty with the waitress being most accommodating.
October 6 - Wilsonville to Home
Today was our last day on the road and traveled up Highway 5 with a stop at a roadside rest and when we arrived in Bellingham a major grocery purchase was done. Looking back over the travels I was glad to have some of my bucket list emptied. As imagined the trip took it's toll. Having done cruises the financial and health goal is far less. Packing daily, finding places to eat, sleep, and washrooms take time and I spent more than I would have spent on a cruise. The positive aspect is being able to stop and take pictures and stay in an area that feels good. Cruising might leave you behind but it is a great way to see many places, then you plan where you want to stay on your next vacation. HAPPY TRAVELS FOLKS!
( my apologies for the delay in posting )
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