Ok, enough with my rare political rant. We finally got on the road and headed south on highway 101. Just south of Klamath, CA, we took the Coastal Drive loop. This is a relatively short drive that goes through some redwoods and has some amazing views of the coast. It is not the best of roads but it is definitely worth taking. We stopped a couple of times and did a few short hikes into the redwoods. It is absolutely awe inspiring to walk among these massive trees. It was very quiet and beautiful.
After this short detour, we continued south. We took the Ferndale exit off of the 101. We didn't actually stop in Ferndale because we were running out of time, but from what I saw of the town, driving through, it looks like a really cool little town and I would love to come back again sometime to spend a little time looking around. From Ferndale, we got onto the Mattole Rd. This was a real adventure. This road is a narrow two lane road, single lane in many locations, and is not in the best of conditions. Lots of pot holes, very winding, some areas unpaved, and very steep climbs in some areas. If you tend to get car sick or have someone who gets car sick easily, then this road may not be for you. In fact, Cole even got a bit car sick but managed to suck it up and deal with it.
This road leads to what is known as the Lost Coast, and let me tell you, at times you feel like you have totally left civilization behind. There is no cell phone coverage, no services like gas stations, convenience stores, or anything, for miles and miles. There are cows, deer, an occasional farm, and the most amazing scenery I have seen yet on this trip. We stopped a few times and walked around and it is so quiet. The few ranchers and farmers who live out here are so lucky. This area is so remote and off the beaten path that you really have gotten away from the rest of the world. To me it would be heaven. I am going to have to look into seeing if there is anything for sale.
The day so far had been amazing but things got even more exciting as it started getting later in the day. Out of nowhere, we ran into fog so thick that I was having a hard time seeing the road. It was the type of fog that you lose all sense of up,down, left, or right. It was making me dizzy trying to keep focused on the narrow, winding road, with steep drop offs into oblivion on one side and no guardrails. We drove like this for hours. We finally got out of the fog but now it was pitch dark and we were still miles from nowhere, on this pot hole covered, two lane road and in the middle of a forest of massive redwood trees. The redwoods are impressive during the day but being in the middle of them when it is completely dark out, with no light anywhere, is completely surreal. In fact it was downright eerie. We pulled off the road a few times and got out of the car and it felt like the trees were alive. You could feel their massive presence all around you and there wasn't a sound to be heard. Cole said that if he was there by himself, it would really freak him out. I can't really explain the sensation I felt being in the middle of these very old, massive trees, in the dark. Even though this road is remote, rough, a bit sketchy in places, and takes up to 4 hours or so to drive, I can't recommend it enough. If you are ever driving through this part of the country, you really need to do yourself a favor and take this scenic route. The road is called Mattole Road. It is definitely worth the time and abuse your car will take.
We finally made it back to highway 101 and drove south until we reached Garberville, where we have stopped for the night.
It was an amazing day and I hope to come back to the redwoods, on my motorcycle, and do some camping among them.
Tomorrows destination is Chico, CA and my brothers place.
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