Monday morning in Vacaville was hot. We hit the road with the top up and headed west. Our goal – to hook up with Highway 1 and travel up the California coast. It was an easy drive. The olive groves of the interior gave way to the vineyards of the Napa Valley. On some parts of the road the trees lining it formed a bower. It was a very pleasant drive. We drove through the city of Sonoma and eventually got to the Coast Highway. 

The first little town we came to on Highway 1 was Bodega Bay. It hugs the rocky coastline and sets the trend for the rest of the trip – small towns separated by a winding, twisty, narrow road. Of course we had to stop to take a picture of the ocean. The turn-out we picked was at the top of a sheer cliff. The wind was blowing but we got some good pictures. The temperature on the coast was a lot lower than inland. It varied but mostly stayed in the high teens. The scenery was spectacular although we were sometimes concerned about the road. If the window had been down I bet I could have picked some of the wildflowers growing on the bank on some of the turns. Road trip rule: if you are travelling with Mary Ellen on a winding road that also goes up and down in elevation, make sure she takes some motion sickness medication before you start. I didn’t get sick but I was well on my way to it when we stopped so I could take some tablets.

 
None of the towns looked interesting enough to visit. We did turn off the highway to visit the “world famous drive-through tree”. Our Mustang was low enough and narrow enough to travel through it. We stopped to get some gas and something to drink then continued on towards the 101. There was a parallel route to take called the Avenue of Giants. The redwood trees there line the road so closely that some have reflectors on posts in front of them. We had taken down the top when we stopped and the sound of the wind in the trees was magical. Soon we were back on the 101, zooming to our B&B in Eureka CA.  

 

 
I’m not sure why travelling is so tiring. Dale says it’s because I’m so stressed about everything. However, if I’m not vigilant, the car could easily catch a wheel on the side of the road and flip or be pulled over the bank. Or it could drift over the dividing line and be hit by an oncoming logging truck, and we saw some logging trucks on that road. Really, what were the drivers thinking? That way can’t be faster or more efficient. Anyway, back to my vigilance. Dale might be driving but I’m the one who keeps the shiny side up. When we got to the inn, I was exhausted. Thank goodness there was a restaurant attached to it. We had a very nice dinner, complete with libations and dessert and then we went to our room. I had a long bath and wrapped myself in one of the fluffy robes provided. Tomorrow we will have breakfast here before we set off again.

I’m glad we drove part of the California Coast Highway. I’m glad we drove through the world famous drive-through tree and took the Avenue of Giants. I’m pretty sure we won’t be back this way to do it again. Sometimes once is enough.