August 2-Gobsmacked Going to Gualala

I’ve always been a sucker for lush forests filled with towering trees and frothy sea water churning on rocky shores but the views I was treated to heading south along the California coastline today left me speechless with wonder.

Heading south from Brookings, Oregon along highway 101 after a delightful breakfast of fluffy crepes and crispy bacon at Mattie’s Pancake House, I followed highway 101 past Crescent City and along the Pacific Ocean into Del Norte Redwoods State Park, pulling over at an overlook on top of a cliff filled with white and yellow wildflowers.

Gazing out onto the vast expanse of glorious baby blue sea waters glittering in the sunlight, I reveled at the sight of rippling, white-tipped waves cascading over and around a variety of rugged grey sea stacks jutting out of the ocean depths.

Getting back in the car and continuing along highway 101 south, I turned off at exit 674 onto highway 254 – the Avenue of the Giants -  leading me through large groves of massive redwoods sometimes reaching over 350 tall and sporting trunks 15-20 feet wide. As I meandered along this side route the sunlight filtered through the thick canopy above, highlighting the ferns covering the forest floor. Wow!

Reaching 101 south again and then taking the exit for highway 1, I snaked my way along the coastline, stopping more times than I can count to take in the vistas, breath the fresh salty air, and feel the warm vibrant sun on my back.

Riding under thickets of statuesque blue gum eucalyptus trees with long strips of peeling grey bark and clusters of silver-blue leaves adorning branches arching over the road, I felt embraced by nature and fully alive.

Along the Mendocino Coast at Fort Bragg, I stopped to gaze in awe at the long strip of crescent-shaped, honey-colored sand at the base of the sheer rocky cliffs lining the shoreline, the dark brown stones and green shrub brush standing in stark contrast to the lapping white waves and turquoise colored sea water below.

Pulling into Gualala and unpacking my belongings, I headed over to Upper Crust Pizza to enjoy a brimming meat lovers pizza with rich marinara sauce on a hand tossed, homemade buttery crispy sourdough crust. What a great day on the road!