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 drive is uneventful and when we reach Henry Cowell, we find the campground 90 percent empty. So we have our pick of spots and choose a large site that fits our needs exactly (actually, I didn’t consult with Luca on what his needs were). 

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.

Comments

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks, Shelley. So far, the trip has been amazing!

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  2. Covering a lot if ground so far Bruce!
    Lets 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)

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  3. I'm figuring it out also Bruce... at least now I have a profile!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Are you Jen? EchoParkWild... is that Jen? :)

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    2. you betcha, it's also my instagram handle :-p

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