Oil Rigs, James Dean & Redwoods
(This blog is part travelogue, part advice
on traveling with a dog, part discovery of what’s on the minds of Americans,
Canadians and other nationalities, part commentary, and other musings.)
(Tip for campers/hikers with dogs:
California state parks, as well as national parks, do not allow dogs on any of
the hiking trails with a few exceptions. At Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
near Santa Cruz, dogs are allowed on a couple of trails. But a hiker on one of
the trails warned me of a ranger who told her she would get a $300 ticket if
she didn’t leash her dog.)
We are camped in a lovely forest of
old-growth oak trees at the edge of a stunning redwood forest in Henry CowellRedwoods State Park near Santa Cruz, a funky beach town south of San Francisco.
It’s hot. In the 90s. In late September. A local on horseback says it happens
sometimes, but I can’t help but wonder about climate change.
(Oops, hope we know we're heading north, not south)
Luca and I left our home in Pine
Mountain Club northwest of Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 23 as we head to our
final destination: British Columbia, Canada. It took us about 5 ½ hours to get
to Santa Cruz, including a couple stops. We headed north on I-5 to the 46 West toward
Paso Robles, the 101 North and eventually Henry Cowell park.
Shortly after turning off I-5 we
hit Lost Hills, a desolate town in the arid terrain of Kern County. But Lost
Hills is notable for three things you pass within a two-mile stretch of road: a
surreal “forest” of constantly nodding oil drills that make you feel like
you’re passing through a living sculpture of steel dinosaurs (they look like real animals); signs that tell
you to turn off for a newly planted lavender field (a touch of Provence?); and
a giant statue of James Dean at a Shell gas station at an intersection where he
was killed. It’s a bit disconcerting to be hit with these three very dissimilar
sights within just a few minutes on the road.
The next day's highlights are a 3-mile hike in the redwoods,
lunch at a cute café in Santa Cruz (with a very pet-friendly patio), and a stop at the Covered Bridge Park in
Felton.
(Luca on Felton Covered Bridge)
Felton is a cute little town just
up the road from our campground that is probably best known for the Roaring
Camp Railroad that takes visitors on a journey through the redwoods.
(The Roaring Camp Railroad Moonlight Train Parties sound fun!)
But I would also recommend checking
out the Felton Covered Bridge that crosses over the San Lorenzo River; the
White Raven coffeehouse (with WiFi and back patio where you can bring your
dog); and the Wild Roots Natural Foods Market. The latter two are on the main
drag, but you won’t have trouble finding any of the three.
(Felton Covered Bridged that crosses the San Lorenzo River)
Tomorrow, off to Santa Rosa in the
heart of wine country north of San Francisco.
Great start!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shelley. So far, the trip has been amazing!
DeleteCovering a lot if ground so far Bruce!
ReplyDeleteLets see pics of the campgrounds to go with the posts
I wish I could make a yearly camping road trip a reality... for now will be living vicariously through you! (and Luca)
You posted as unknown. Who are you? :)
DeleteIt was me :)
DeleteI'm figuring it out also Bruce... at least now I have a profile!
ReplyDeleteAre you Jen? EchoParkWild... is that Jen? :)
Deleteyou betcha, it's also my instagram handle :-p
Delete