SNAPS BY MEGAN
Port Orford, OR to Antelope Valley, CA
The return to the homeland. Hello again, California.
We packed for weather. We expected it in Washington and Oregon. However, we encounter nothing more than a light drizzle, at most. Then we hit California––a land far more known for fair weather than not––and got it all: rain, snow, wind, power outages, and road closures.
Boy Scout Tree Trail, Jedediah Smith Redwoods, CA
Day 8, Stop #2
Started: Port Orford, OR
Ended: Ferndale, CA
Suddenly we were in California again. As we neared Crescent City, having stayed there once before, I knew exactly where I wanted to go and what I wanted to show everyone––the Jedediah Smith Redwoods! Back in 2013 I saw the Grove of Titans, which was absolutely amazing. While the entire forest seems like something out of a fantasy setting––a land for giants or dinosaurs and certainly not tiny humans––that grove, in particular, is that much more significant. Everything is scaled up so dramatically that even the undergrowth seems to tower. It's for that reason and more that I was quite bummed to find that, since I had seen it, most that area had been trampled quite thoroughly by visitors; so much so that they closed it for rehabilitation and construction (they're building a wooden path up and around the trees to protect against further impact). Fortunately, I actually planned on seeing and hiking the Boy Scout Tree Trail with the group, rather than the Grove of Titans, but having that off the list (and hearing about its condition) was still sad.
We arrived late in the day and, much to my dismay, didn't have time to hike the whole trail like I had hoped (one day!). Instead we hung out and explored not more than one mile and spent time taking a slew of group photos. As the light faded we headed back and returned to the road. We still had some miles to put behind us to get to our first California AirBnB. Wish this drive was in daylight but alas, the rest of this leg was in the dark of night.
Once at our place, we finished watching a series we had started at the beginning of our trip - Long Way Round - which I recommend to any who haven't seen it. (Along with its sequel, Long Way Down).
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA
Day 9
Started: Ferndale, CA
Ended: Carmel Valley, CA
On this route I originally scheduled a stop at Point Reyes Lighthouse, but it quickly became apparent that this was only going to be a point A to point B day.
We started the morning out driving by the old gingerbread houses of Ferndale, then got some miles in before picking up some waffles to eat on the way south. We drove through overcast skies and light rain before the weather began to worsen. Heavier rain led to snow flurries.
We drove through this for quite some time before a minor reprieve, then hit more rain and wind as we entered San Francisco. We made it a point to drive on the Golden Gate Bridge (at least one notable sight along the way) and kept going until our hunger couldn't be ignored anymore. We got dinner at a restaurant along the water where, in the onset of the storm, all the power went out. Screams and nervous chatter could be heard through the restaurant as waiters went about with flashlights, adding more candlelight to the tables and informing everyone who placed orders that dinner was cancelled. Since we wouldn't be getting our meals either, we asked what was still available, if anything, so we didn't have to go on hungry. Soup it was. The large window next to us, looking out onto the bay, showed a blustery, shadowed scene as we ate. Trees curled and bent by the wind. Lightning on the horizon. Rain splattering the window. In the shelter of the building, it almost seemed as though we were only watching a movie through that large window, looking onto the dramatic scene completely protected, dry, and warm. The rain water that found its way through the window, pooling by our booth was a reminder of the storm's realness and strength. The power stayed out the whole time. It became apparent that the restaurant would be closing early for the night. We soon funneled out of the building with the rest of the guests, happy to have had something to eat.
From there, we had another hour to go before getting into our final AirBnB for the trip, where we promptly fell to our beds and slept.
Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, CA
Day 10
Started: Carmel Valley, CA
Ended: Antelope Valley, CA
We got breakfast at an as-seen-on-Food-Network restaurant which was quite a hefty and tasty breakfast. Through Washington and Oregon, I craved fresh fruit, and finally got what I was craving once we were back in California as part of my breakfast (didn't realize how spoiled I was by being accustomed to availability of fresh fruit). After enjoying the hearty meal, we returned to find our car with a flat tire. After inquiring at a nearby gas station, we were directed to a local tire repair and were able to get things patched up fairly painlessly, all said and done. If anything, the time lost for the day was the biggest bummer. But we were very thankful we didn't get the flat the day prior, as we were going through mountain passes in rain and snow.
From the tire repair we got on the road and headed to the aquarium. Despite this one being somewhat close to home, I'd never been. I've always been a sucker for fishtanks, so aquariums are always nice to explore and wander (aside from the crowds and noise if I'm being honest).
After seeing all there was to see, we headed back to the car and started home. The hours slowly ticked by. We got dinner at a Mexican restaurant (super tasty and I loved the simple atmosphere here). We sat next to a pair of older ladies who eyed us as we sat down, and after watching me gently set my camera bag down commented, "You set that bag down like it was your baby." "It is," I responded. My camera child (ha).
Over dinner we stressed on which route we needed to take to get home. Another storm was moving in fast, threatening to close the mountain pass we needed to take. If that was closed, we could keep along the coast, but that would add a lot of time to the clock. We were already tired. Extra hours on the road appealed to no one. We finally decided to take the mountains pass, but not the direct route. There's one that heads off to the east, before dropping south which is more likely to stay clear. It could still see snow, but as far as we could determine was the better of the other two options.
We continued, at some point slipping into the so-tired-you're-giggly state. Miles seemed to go by swiftly. The night stayed clear, but you could see the dark heavy clouds looming above. You can feel tension, not knowing if or when the storm would let loose. Thankfully, we remained in the clear. We got to our destination, happy to finally rest. We woke to an absolute winter wonderland that early Thanksgiving morning. Freeways both north and south were closed. All Thanksgiving plans were canceled. As far as leaving the valley was concerned, we were snowed in.
I've lived in that valley all my life, but blanketed in snow, it seemed foreign. Though snow is not unheard of, it hasn't been present in a long, long while––much less in November. It felt almost like exploring a new place, as if our adventure got extended. We spent the day in the snow, thankful for our safe trip back home, thankful for all the we saw, and thankful for the memories made with each other along the way.