California Cruisin' - Highway 1

The drive along Highway 1 in Northern California is another beautiful and scenic run that everyone should have the privilege of experiencing! Starting out it was a series of forested twists and turns which would test the skills of any driver but eventually it broke out onto the beautiful coast! The pounding surf along the rocky coastline dotted by stretches of sandy beaches and quaint seaside towns made for a lovely two day drive.

Our first stop for the night was at this lovely campground and we arrived just in time for our first California sunset!

On Day 2, we continued along the highway towards San Francisco!

I was able to snap many photos, like this one, as we drove along the highway!

The further south we went the more death defying the highway became. Yes! that's the road travelling along the side of a cliff, many places without guardrails!

It was nice to be able to drop by local vineyards and sample some of the local California wines and other products from around the world!

At the end of Day 2 we left beautiful Highway 1 and began our travels through the San Joaquin Valley....another completely different by awe inspiring experience!

It looked almost desert-like but it was actually rolling fields of grasslands! 

It was time to take a rest now and settle down for a few days! That doesn't mean we sit and twiddle our thumbs......No! We break out the motorcycle and explore local towns! First stop? Santa Cruz!

Off to explore Monterey, California!

Time to leave the coast and head back to the campsite through the valley once again!

Next stop......Yosemite National Park!

Ode To The Redwoods

When we hit California, we were advised to stay in Jedidiah Smith State Park, a park located within the Redwood National Forest. Boy, we weren't disappointed! Driving through the park was like driving through a fantasy land. Trees towered above our heads, dwarfing our RV and making us feel as though we were miniscule humans living in some science fiction land. The sun, blocked by the canopy of the 300 foot giants, made our new home dark yet cozy, quiet and serene. Little did we know that the best was yet to come! After setting up camp, we immediately set about to explore this new found land.

Stout Memorial Grove was one such place that took us amongst some of the largest redwoods in this ancient forest. Established to protect these majestic beasts from logging companies, we were in awe as we navigated the loop trail.

Steve standing atop the roots of a fallen tree!

Take a walk with us through Stout Memorial Grove!