No Going Halfway.

Wednesday I took off for the coast. I made it out in time to watch the sun set over the coastal range. Amazing. I gazed upon Redwoods for the first time ever in Armstrong Redwoods State Park. I couldn't, well I still can't, fathom the grandeur of these trees. All over I was surrounded by a forest of giants. I camped beneath them in Austin Creek State Rec Area. I put out my tent next to Bullfrog Pond. I had some hot chicken noodle soup for supper and hiked up to a view of the coastal range by the spotlight of the moon. I eventually hiked back and then fell asleep beneath two redwoods to the sound of bullfrogs. The pond truely earned its name. In the morning I awoke to the sound of ducks and wings on the water. I went for a walk amongst the giants with my cinnamon raison bagel and cream cheese. What an amazing breakfast walk. I then took off to the north on 101. I stopped for a delicious fruit lunch I had prepared before I left. mmmmm...raspberries, pineapple, strawberries, grapefruit, delicious. I ate on a point watching the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean. I was so impressed by the ocean birds riding every great wave that came in. I hadn't thought of myself as missing the ocean much, but to listen to the waves again and feel the ocean mist on my face hit me with a wave of full peacefulness. I decided I should leave Salt Point State Park before the tide came in and would make the path back to my car troublesome. I continued up the coast and crossed from Sonoma county into Mendocino County. I stopped for some more ocean time at Manchester State Park. This scene was more familiar. There were less rocks and instead a scene of sand and dunes. I sat in a disturbed area in the grass and read for a couple of hours. More relaxation. I then determined it was time to head inland to Ukiah for a bit of disc golf. I had high hopes for disc golf on this coastal journey. I got into Ukiah and after a little library time (yay for public libraries), I headed toward Mendocino Lake toward a disc golf course. Unfortunately I realized that I must have missed my exit. As the wheels of my car turned I pondered the possibility of not cutting off my coastal and redwoods time. I thought, hmmmm...., what if i didn't stop now? No going halfway, it was time for a complete northern california coastal trip with lots of redwoods and ocean time! So even though it was already evening, I went for it. If I'm already 5 miles north of my exit, why not make it 160 miles north? So my wheels turned. I drove through the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The full moon had a difficult time making its spotlight travel through these trees. I made it as far as Eureka, CA that evening. I crashed there for the night and in the morning continued my journey north. I stopped for a morning beach walk at Patrick's Point State Park. Once again, wow. Afterwards, I went as far north at the Lady Bird Johnson Grove in Redwoods National Park. I felt like I was actually beginning to realize the struggle of the Redwoods as logging pursued these trees all the way up the park border. If this park wasn't established in the 1960s, I doubt these redwood groves would exist. I understand that the wood of the redwood is beautiful and valuable, but I can't understand how one could stand at the base of a standing redwood and feel the need to dominate and destroy this tree for the almighty dollar. The power of the dollar--I talk to my kids about its power every week. After an afternoon in the national park, it was time to turn around and head south. I stayed in Patrick's Point State Park for the night so I could fall asleep to the sound of the ocean. Perfection. The next morning was already Saturday. With a vanilla latte and mixed berry scone, the journey back to Yosemite commenced. I drove all day, but I did make the command decision to stop back through in Ukiah, take the right exit, and play a game of disc golf. I found a course at Mendocino College and on my first throw I lost my favorite disc in some bushes. I looked for quite some time and tried to continue playing with my other disc, but I was too distracted by the loss of the eagle and I knew that this just wasn't meant to be. So after two holes I left. I took a meandering path on some fun state highways and made it home that night. Back to my own bed. January was stressful and hard for me, but February bears great promise. I find myself in the best spirits. And hello, I was back to see the Colts win the Super Bowl. And even though very few people here have a passion for football, I frolicked around El Portal to spread the joy of the Colts victory and spread cheer on a Sunday evening. I stopped into five houses with a smile. Never halfway, right? Go big or go home. It's made for an awesome week. Today is a day to regroup before my kids come from where else but my recently explored Sonoma County. Perfection.