Fort Bragg, California

After the longest drive ever on CA Hwy 1, we finally reached FB. Honestly, it seemed that both the Garmin and the map were conspiring against us. The arrival time kept getting later and the distance to FB (seemingly) kept going up. Perhaps it was because of my own motion sickness developed as a result of the windy mountain roads, but this was the first time on the trip that I was not happy being in the car.

In fact, I was so out of it, I managed to miss (or not appreciate to the fullest) much of what LVL considers some of the best scenery of the trip, including some great beach scenes; several isolated houses, some right on the water; a short stretch of road with beautiful trees bending from both sides to form a long canopy of sorts.

Stopped to watch the sun go down on a gorgeous white sand beach, with beautiful, expansive vistas and unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean. Gorgeous, 40-50 ft. wooden bridge added to the view. Shocked by how quickly the sun went down. 10 or 15 mins max to enjoy the bright oranges and reds.

Tried to have dinner at the North Coast Brewing Company, but the kitchen closed at 9 (we arrived at 9:10)*. After advice from the bartender and two very young (too young to be sitting at the bar, in my view) surfer-looking dudes, we set out for TW's Grille and Bar, the only open restaurant in town. TWs Grill and Bar also happened to be the house restaurant for the Quality Inn Suites, our newly chosen hotel.

Food at TW's was actually quite good, especially the fried artichokes. Enjoyed talking to the family at the booth next to us; chatting World Cup with the big, friendly busguy; and the karaoke rhythms in the background.

* Though we were disappointed on the food front, we were not disappointed by their beer. Grabbed a six-pack of the Acme IPA on the way out the door and enjoyed it once we got to wine country. Yeah, I see the irony there, but this trip has been way more about beer than wine. It just has.

Free breakfast at TWs to start (two eggs and two pancakes; all the coffee we could stand), with lots of computer time and table room to plan out the next few days. After about an hour, we left with no real plan and an agreement to “fly by the seat of our pants.”* We did finally wise up and use Priceline for the first time…with success. $75 room at a 3.5 star hotel in Santa Rosa, CA. Not bad.

On the road, North on CA-1 in an effort to see the brief stretch of road that we missed/couldn’t appreciate toward the end of the day yesterday. Beautiful scenery, especially the knotty trees that line and canopy the narrow road. Made one stop for pics and a great view: the rocks, waves, and deep blues and greens will never get old. Nor will the smell of the ocean and the warmth of the sun, even in the 50 degree temps and gusty wind.

*LVL much less comfortable with this “plan” than I am. Here’s hoping it all goes well.