My wife and I planned to cruise the Redwoods in our normal fashion but at the last minute bought some Hobie Outback Kayaks. We still headed the same way but looked for water along the coast as well as coolness. Almost did not make it when a sudden traffic jam near San Francisco had me hitting my brakes so hard that I slid within inches of the car in front of me.
After that things were more serene.
We headed for Highway one right after San Francisco. Stayed near Jenner CA for the first night and tried the Kayaks in the Russian River. Nest morning we kayaked down by the mouth and followed river otters and deer along the shoreline, and watched a multitude of birds. Saw the seals near the mouth.
We proceeded up the coast and found the only free camping spot we could find right next to the ocean. Was very quiet.
http://keithbarnes.s...8004280_73RFKhQ
We saw Fort Ross and a the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse. We hear the State is cutting the budget for the Lighthouse.
We ended up in the Eureka/Arcata area and went in the Big Lagoon and Freshwater Lagoon. Met the gal who owns Kayak Zaks. http://www.kayakzak.com/ She gave us lots of hints and some free magazines.
We took in the Redwoods and decided to see Ferndale on the way home. I decided to take Highway(?)211 out of Ferndale to get close to the ocean again. It was a narrow, rough paved road but one of the highlights of our trip. It rose up in the forest, then broke open into grassy coastal grazing pastures. then it dropped down into valley where a few farms were. Steeply I might add. Then it rose up again and dropped into a rough windy coastline.
http://keithbarnes.s...0316702_rq6QvL3
It was a slow but awesome side-trip. Road eventually ended up back in the redwoods and we stayed the night in an overpriced State Park.
Camping, Kayaking and touring - a great way to go.
Keith and Jeanne Barnes
La Mesa CA
