Drive, Drive, Drive

OMG, that was a long, long day. Started at 6:30 in the car- heading south on highway 5. We drove pretty much eight and a half hours straight and by the end I couldn’t feel my arms, but the kids were great and we survived.

We are back in San Rafael for one more full day before flying out on Tuesday. This afternoon was pretty chill- arrived and checked into the Embassy Suites near the Civic Center (Not so nice for the record.) Then off to Barnes and Noble for some books, a quick dinner at The Marin Brewing Company and finally saw Ghostbusters. Leslie Jones makes that movie. It was cute and Kaia loved it. Skye was a bit freaked out by the ghosts.

Marin is taking Kaia to do some last minute shopping, so Skye and I have a daddy daughter date- taking the ferry into the city for a walk around and some lunch. Then back home for a final visit with Jason and this summer is done.

My eyes are begging for sleep. Looking forward to good San Francisco weather tomorrow. Where should we go for lunch? 

South

My days are measured from one meal to the next. 

Great food, friends and conversation. 

Love the feeling of touching down and checking on some roots. 

Making sure they are holding strong. 

Last night here and tomorrow

on the road again

south. 

Lush

Walking in the shadows of a Redwood grove, as the sun falls gently, illuminating the green to an almost unbearable lushness. I am walking slowly in the back with Skye, “Today is a special day for me Skye. You want to know why?”


Sure.


“I am doing one of my favorite things in the world- hiking, in one of my favorite places on the planet- The California Redwood forest, with my favorite people in the world- you. My family.”


We walked on in silence.


I found the perfect trail. A few miles off the main highway and off The Avenue of Giants, we were able to hike for several hours in solitude and quiet. We passed a few fellow hikers, but for the most part, we enjoyed a perfect July day in the majesty of these trees.


“This is the only place on earth where these trees grow. And they have been here for more than two-thousand years. I am not sure if you are able to appreciate how special this place is, but someday when you come back and bring your kids it will make more sense.”


This was one of the last trips my parents and I made when I was in middle school. It was winter when we came and I remember all of us getting along. I remember the driving, the Eel River, I remember choosing REM’s Green album as my music choice, Mehran chose Mozart and Mahin passed on her turn. We stayed in some roadside cabins that I can’t seem to find for the life of me.


It is one of my favorite childhood family memories. I wonder how many of these memories will stick for our kids?


…


Every night, I want to spend the right amount of time writing and capturing these fleeting days, but usually I am well-spent and tired and ready for bed. Tonight is no different. We are all warm and safe in this nasty, smelly Best Western in Garberville. Tomorrow, we wake up early and hug the California coast, before we head inland to Bend, Oregon. It is a seven+ hour drive and I am looking forward to the occasional road side stop- either at the beach or some river side swim spot.


We are in Bend for five days, so it will be nice to set some roots and enjoy the backyard, hammock and hot tub.

Avenue of Giants

It’s a bit passed eight thirty, Friday night, July 1st and I am on my second Mad River River Brewery Stealhead Ale. I am in a Best Western in Garberville in Humboldt County at the edge of the Avenue of Giants. This town is tiny and a few hours ago when we ventured out to get some food, little was open. We stopped by an organic hippie grocery store, then a quick walk down main street, where we found a deli. There is a strange mix of hippie and hick and dirty street kids that have somehow made their way all the way up north.


We are here all day tomorrow, so I am researching the best trails for hiking. I want remote, but doable for the kids. I want big trees and dense groves and peace and quiet and solitude. I would like to walk by and maybe swim in the Eel River and/or Bull Creek. A lot of this feels like luck as there are so many trails and routes all the way along the thirty mile Avenue of Giants.


I think we are gonna drive up to Bull Creek and explore Humboldt State Park.


In other news, it has been a year that I have been drinking again. I should have some profound commentary on how it has gone, but really it has been pretty mellow. I have had a few nights that things went a bit farther than they should have, but over all it has been a sound decision.


…


It was a long drive from Monterrey and it’s time for sleep.