Eel River Cafe
Following Big Brother's suggestion--less driving, more stops. In Garberville.
On the Road
At 9:15 and 624 miles into the adventure, we head out. It turns out that this is 30 miles of 15 mph curves, and some 10 mph curves.
Ed is driving which is ironic since back home he avoids Sunset Blvd because he says it's too curvy. But he's doing an excellent job.
Drive-thru Tree
At 658 miles, we drive thru a redwood. Eddie asks if the car is too big. The guard suggests we tuck the side mirrors in. Have fun! he says.
The Driving Challenge
We're driving into gorgeous shady redwood forests, and then we pop out into blinding sunlight.
Hmmm. And the front windshield is streaked.
Lesson #1. Before setting off on road trip, replace windshield wiper blades!
Day 5
Heading out from the Inn at Newport Ranch. A heavenly spot 10 miles north of Fort Bragg. Totally worth a visit.
Probably one of the best things is the communal dining table and the chance to chat with other folks who love to travel, and enjoy nature and the outdoors. My favorites last night were a couple who had recently done a 200 day around the world trip. So this is Eddie's Birthday Road Trip. Maybe 200 days around the world could be Josie's Birthday Trip? I see it now!
Jim, my big brother, who really likes road trips, is encouraging us to change the ratio of our adventure: Less driving, more relaxing. Sounds right to me.
Today we'll be strolling-hiking amongst the redwoods! Tune back in later.
Crazy beautiful California poppies
We were told that last year at this time because of the drought everything was brown. This year it's green-green-green.
Tired Driver
Getting restorative massage. Notice more of the tree trunks inside. It's a theme here in most of the interiors. Very unusual.
Day 4
I am so tired and worn out this morning that I'm feeling maybe Ed's got the wrong girl for this road trip. The other guests at breakfast said I'll get revived and soon be passing logging trucks on blind curves. I'm not so sure. Right now I don't even like the word "road." I can't imagine making it all the way to Oregon. We're going out to take a brisk walk in the breezy, fresh air. Maybe that'll revive my spirits.
The Inn at Newport Ranch
We finally finally arrive at our destination--The Inn at Newport Ranch. We drive down a long driveway toward the edge of the sea. It's more like arriving at someone's beautiful home rather than a hotel or resort. We straggle out of the car, and are met by Cindi, the innkeeper.
The Inn, which just opened in the Fall 2015, has 1.5 miles of coastline, 2,000 acres, plus 20 miles of trails. It turns out that we are two of only six guests, and we're the only two having dinner at the Inn. We are so bedraggled that we are in no condition to get back on the road tomorrow. We ask if we could possibly stay for two nights. We can. Lucky us.
A Big Fat Mistake!
Boy, who knew it would take from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm to drive 180 miles? And it is hard driving from Saulsalito to just north of Fort Bragg. The scenery is to die for. Almost every curve we zip around opens onto another coastline vista that is even more spectacular than the last. I love the idea of hugging the coastline, and we're certainly doing that!
However, Highway 1 in this area is mostly 2 narrow lanes of hairpin curves. When we stopped at Sea Ranch to get out of the car and stretch, there's this sort of older guy in the parking lot who says they've stopped so the other person in his car can take a Valium. The curves after curves were too much for him. He also said that the man he is traveling with--a gorgeous blond guy--is transgender and he's going to have a sex change, and become a beautiful woman, and find a handsome man, and be set for life. While he's saying this, the gorgeous young blond guy is shyly smiling at us. He doesn't seem to mind that the older guy is talking so personally (and outrageously) about him. What strangers will tell you.
We still have miles and miles to go. This is our last reservation of the trip, and from now on we can stop when we're worn out, which we are.
Day 3
We set off from Cavallo Point, the lodge at the Golden Gate bridge, heading north to Mendocino.
We're on the tiny, squirrelly Highway 1.
With the Pacific Ocean dropping down cliffs to the left, and the green lush mountains to the right, I keep saying, Wow! Look, Eddie, Look! WOW!
It is so beautiful it boggles the mind. Rain was predicted but instead it's another gorgeous, sunny day.
About 30 minutes north we stop at the Parkside Cafe at Stinson Beach. It's a throwback to the 50s. The Marketplace smells of fresh, warm bread just out of the oven.
If we'd realized the Parkside Cafe was here we might not have had that delicious breakfast before we left Cavallo Point.
The serendipity of chancing upon a place like the Parkside Cafe and its bakery and market is what a slow road trip is all about.
