I didn’t record a thing on Day 9.  But here are the pictures: 

12:30 PM PST I just went flower picking and walking through an old grove, ancient Redwood stand called the Stout Memorial Grove. I am driving to Bend, OR as we speak. And I just saw Montana license plate. These roads are very windy, curvy and steep. They are doing construction on them, all of them.  I don’t care, this is the most beautiful drive. Last night I spent the night in Florence Keller Regional County Park. It cost $15. I had to drive into town in order to get change so I could pay for it.  I went to bed around 1130 last night, a little later than I had anticipated but car trouble and getting lost a few times make that happen I guess. So I went to Jedediah Smith state park last night. The campground was full. I had not anticipated this.  Frightened that I might have to stay in a hotel (yikes!), I walked around searching for someone to talk to. I heard a man’s voice speaking emphatically about the Redwood forest. It was right behind the ranger station in an amphitheater where Brad was standing. Brad was one of the most handsome people of ever seen. He was giving a presentation about how much he loves the Redwoods State Park and he was a Ranger. He was probably only about 27.  Giving a presentation to a bunch of youngsters and their parents, it was about 8:45 at night when I arrived mid-presentation.  I sat through the presentation and was really intrigued by the amount of information that he was spouting out. I was also enamored because he was so handsome! You know when you get tongue-tied because you can’t think of anything but how handsome somebody is? That’s how I felt. So after the presentation, I knew a lot more about the Redwoods than I did when I arrived, which was very very cool and useful information. After his presentation I waited to talk to him so I could ask him where I can camp. I wanted to ask if I could camp at his house… but I refrained. (HAHA) He was very nice and gentlemanly of course, he pulled out a map and showed me two campgrounds that I could try out. After that I picked my drool up off the ground and got out of there soon. …When I say as soon as possible I mean I waited like a creeper and watched him leave. No I did not follow him! I wanted to…

So first I went onto the campsite that was closest to the park entrance. That place was super creepy. There was a trashcan that had been turned over and strewn about by a bear and no lights. It was super dark. You have to put $15 in cash into an envelope and then stick it in the iron box, but I didn’t have $15. I was super bummed and I wanted to spend the night anyway because I didn’t want to do anymore driving, but I did not feel comfortable staying without paying. I also didn’t feel comfortable because the place was crazy creepy too. So I opted to try out the other location Brad suggested. The other location was also a county park, so it cost of the same amount of money. So I went to the gas station, retrieved $40 out of my account, got change and then proceeded to Florence Keller Park. I was all ooked out.  It was dark, it was late, and honestly I was exhausted from driving and scared of the solitude (bears mostly). But I swallowed my fear and found a campsite. I set up my tent with my highbeams on, and the whole time I heard an owl that I’ve never heard before. There was also this other sound, and that sort of sounded like when Dorothy was walking through the enchanted Forest and the monkeys came out of the trees, I was even more anxious then. But I went with it…. So I had to go back into my car and drive up to the bathroom where the iron box deposit location was. At this point my nerves were shot, I was extremely tired, but I was reeling on adrenaline. So while I was filling out my campsite information and putting the money in the envelope something amazing happened. If any of you know me, you know that I’m a big cat person.  I used to have a cat named Babydoll, she was a black cat and she was my best pal for almost 16 years. So back to the story, a huge, sweet black cat came up to my ankles and started purring. This cat calmed my heart. I dubbed it Camp Kitty. I looked around and right behind me was the campground host (I had somehow missed this when driving around), and right cross the road from the host was an empty campsite. I wanted to camp near this cat. We were getting along swimmingly, and I wasn’t ready to go back to my witch of the West dark, scary campsite. So I did something ridiculous, but I’m glad I did it.  I drove back over to the scary campsite, partially took down my tent, put it on the hood of my car and drove it to the empty campsite. Looking back at that makes me laugh a whole lot but I’m so glad I made that decision. I went to bed with peace of mind after having a 15 minute petting session with this amazing huge black cat.
There is also some really good rock ‘n’ roll playing in the bathroom quietly, I couldn’t hear it from my tent. So I slept like a champ. I set my alarm for seven, but I didn’t wake up until 830. I got up, called for the black cat and it came to me. I rearranged and organized the mass of stuff in my car, brushed my teeth, and then drove to the Jedediah back entrance. I walked amongst the Redwoods, I hiked up in between them. I FaceTime’d with my grandmother and grandfather so they could see those enormous, majestic trees. For some reason perhaps existence of the age of the trees, I felt an immense calm in those groves. I was also hyper excited about it too, I’d been waiting for this for a long long time, and still had no idea what to expect. Now that I’m commencing on the rest of my journey,  I still don’t know what to expect. That’s the lesson I am sure.

12:55 PM I am almost to Oregon. I just saw a giant logging truck. I wish they wouldn’t cut these trees down. There’s only 5% left of old-growth forest in this country. I learned from Brad’s talk yesterday that the entire northern hemisphere was covered in giant redwood trees millions of years ago during the Pleistocene. Steven Spielberg filmed Jurassic Park 2 in the Jedediah Smith Park. The groves here, they are so dense. He also told us that you can tell the difference between an old growth forest and a new growth forest that’s been logged before by the fact that old-growth forest don’t have a huge undergrowth. It’s mostly ferns and short shrubberies. There were lots of just-about-to-bloom Trillium all over the place. I am so glad that I did not skip this part just because I was behind on account of my tires. I was considering not camping and just doing a day visit, I have Peter to thank for the encouragement to spend the night. He reminded me that I did drive all the way across the country and that was one of my goals.  To wake up in the redwood forest. It happened!

1:10 PM PST I have entered Oregon it is 54° I have 100 miles left on this gas tank.

2:05 PM you know soon as you get in Oregon it turns into a circus. There’s a wildcat gallery, people looking all crazy. Tons of hobnob corn on the cob businesses. I’m about to go see the Oregon caves information. Also you don’t have to pump your own gas in Oregon.

I am on the Rogue River highway and just passed by a road called Peckerwood Lane. It made me laugh out loud. I need a shower, so I’m going to stop at the state park, shower and put on clean underwear. Looking very much forward to that.

5:10 PM entering the Rogue River Siskiyou national Forest, 33 miles from Crater Lake on East 62.  I have just decided to go to Crater Lake.  It’s one of the deepest lakes in the world! Ancient and Magical!

5:30 PM Driving on 62 W. there’s snow on the ground it’s 37° and I am entering Crater Lake national Park.  Unbelievable, I can’t believe it’s 37° and there was a sign back there that said you need snow tires or chains… I think that my four-wheel-drive should be sufficient. We’ll see!

Nope.. turns out the roads that I wanted to take closed due to snow.  Looks like my four-wheel-drive would not have been sufficient. Anyway I’m back on 62 now and I am going down to another road, Highway 97 toward Bend.  I stopped at the guest center/restaurant/gift shop at Crater Lake and went in just flabbergasted at the weather conditions.  As soon as I started talking, all the people there started laughing and asking where I’m from.  They love my Southern accent and all the euphemisms I carry along with me (thanks Paw Paw).  I bought a Crater Lake Book in lieu of the weather denying me the vision.

6:30 PM I just saw a giant, enormous rainbow and it was literally right next to me! There is such a huge smile on this face.

Just saw my first Aspen Circle.

The aspens are all over now, they’re beautiful.

Now I’m on 97 N. headed towards Bend, about two hours away. I’m going to stop in Bend and get some warmer clothes. I only brought this one fleece… it’s COLD!

There are of these beautiful little purple flowers on the side of the road I’m on.  Lupine, they smell so nice!!

Entering Wimena State Park!
Newberry national volcanic monument and the local caves…
I’m about 10 miles from Bend, so excited to see  my dear friend Stephen and chill out for a few days.  In Bend I will explore a marijuana dispensary and Stephen’s going to show me around the town.  I’ve left the planning up to him, so I’m unaware of what I’ll see or where we’ll go!

7:30 AM PST I am driving to the Subaru dealership in Redding California. Looks like I have to get four new tires. I’m going to see what I can figure out here, but tonight’s the night I’m sleeping in the Redwoods.  I also will hopefully get to see you, my dear friend Maisy in Eureka California today!

They say it never rains in California, however it’s raining today…

Also, found out last night that something sad happened in Saxapahaw.. that’ll rock my little Community for a while… 😦

12:55 PM Pacific standard time, plans have changed, yet I am now leaving Snagville. I’ve been at the Subaru dealership since 7 AM this morning. These people are wonderful even though I don’t want to be here. Turns out I need four new tires and they provided that service. The service guy named Jason was awesome, he agreed with me that Greensboro should have done a better job. He also said that once I get back I should take this up with them.  I said next to this lady named Debbie who was very sweet and inquisitive and looked you in the eye when she was speaking to you. She and I talked about dreams; I told her that one day I want to go visit the Great Rift Valley. She said that she was born in Argentina and now that her youngest son is graduating she’s thinking in three years she’d like to return.  Once I left the dealership, the new tires sounded so loud, I turned around and got one of their mechanics to ride with me to make sure everything was good.  Upon returning, Debbie said, if you need a place to stay tonight, you can stay with me.  That was such a kind gesture.  I am going to call her upon my safe return to NC to get her address to send her a gift of thanks.  My car was fine though, new tires were a harder version, more long-lasting and they are just louder than my old ones.  Safe and sound! (Loud sound.)

I am now driving on the 299 and I will be in Crescent City right outside of Jedediah Smith state park in about five or six hours. I was going to go visit my friend Maisy, but since I left the Subaru dealership so late, I would not be able to make it to see her and get to the Redwoods by nightfall. Huge bummer that I’m going to miss her.  She and her man tried their damndest to get me to come anyway and stay with them.  I wanted to, but the Redwoods were calling.

So the 299 goes all the way to Arcata and I am on a national scenic byway. Looks like I’m going through another set of mountains. Shasta Trinity National Forest. Looks like it’ll be a good ride, it’s foggy outside and rainy. Looks like I’m gonna get wet. Glad about my raincoat, but Rob Brezsny says that I should just get naked.

It’s 55° out here, I hope I’m warm enough tonight in my tent. I hope there’s a tent space. Oh my God! What is that body of water over there? It’s beautiful! Right outside at Whiskeytown California, I thought it was Shasta Lake, but it isn’t.

I’ll tell you what I want to figure out what lake this is. Also, Right now I want to tell you about how much Californians seem to put into adopting highways. There are tons of signs that say this person or that organization or this business adopted this highway. I’m crossing whiskey Creek Bridge right now.  Saw a sign that said no jumping from the bridge, but I bet people do that all the time. The water’s really choppy right now and I think Whiskey Creek is what that body of water is.

What I wouldn’t give for some pimento cheese right now…

My surroundings are green, lush and rocky.  Dang it’s pretty out here; I just passed a road called Grizzly Gulch.

Passing by Tower House historical District. I’m 130 miles to Eureka. I’m not going down into Eureka I’m going north from the cut off there.
I’m getting really hungry. I had a bowl of cereal while I was waiting at the Subaru place. While Jason was doing a walk around my car, I was eating cereal.  He said “You know I thought I had seen it all, but I have never done a walk around with someone eating a bowl of cereal.” This was a first for him. I thought that was pretty awesome. We all were very entertained today. He kept asking me to keep talking because he loved my accent.

1:20 PM I don’t know what Redwoods look like, but these are some big ass Pine trees I’m driving through right now. Also this road is definitely satisfy my need for speed, these new tires are bad ass and hugging the road like nobodies business. These curves are awesome. Ha ha that’s what she/he/they said.

I’m going 75 mph and the motorcycle in front of me is going even faster than me. We both just passed a cop is hopefully neither one of us is going to get pulled over.

Sky just opened up and I can see a little bit of blue and all of the beautiful green trees to my right down in the valley.

Just was riding by really beautiful Creek called Indian Creek. It looks like a river to me but then again everything so much bigger out here they probably call that a creek. The Colorado is a river. Indian Creek goes into the Trinity River. I’m going to stop up here this rest stop and eat some snacks.

3:10 PM Pacific standard time I just had to stop in a tiny little town called Weaverville, California. It was that his hippiest town I’ve ever been in. I stopped to get some socks and a hat. I ended up talking to this lady about the Redwoods and the Grandmothers (Sequoias) and then I went to the store across the street (Mamma Llama’s) to get a sandwich, gluten-free crazy sandwich, delicious. Then I went to the grocery store and got some tomatoes because I want another tomato sandwich because I don’t have any more. I also got a new bumper sticker. It says “nonviolence: weapon of mass compassion”  I love it! They’re doing road work construction but I just saw sign that said I’m 64 miles to the 101. Driving on the 101 has been a life goal. Driving The entire 101 is a goal that I will have to commence accomplishing later, but even a little stretch of it is going to be good.

La La La I am totally digging this drive right now. Even with the roadwork in between times is really awesome. There’s Trinity River to my left, it looks beautiful I can’t believe there aren’t any people kayaking on it, but I don’t know the details of the river either. These hills are super tall going over this bridge right now.

Sitting still waiting on the traffic to go by with all the roadwork, the car in front of me is listening to Robert Johnson. I’ve turned my car off.  The breeze, the Robert Johnson, the warm sun on my left arm, the blue sky, the amber essence oil I have on… all mished up together smells and feels really magical. Wonder if anybody’s ever thought that before while waiting in traffic. Looks like we’re moving again.

Listening to Paul Simon “Born at the right time” album Rhythm of the Saints.  Just entering Six Rivers Forest.

Just saw a building that was nondescript but it said “The Whole Enchilada”  Giggle.

I am now entering Humboldt County
Just crossed over the North Fork of the Mad River, and I believe I have entered beginning of the Redwoods.

4:26 PM Pacific standard time I have just entered Highway 101 north towards Crescent city. I literally just giggled like a little girl and stomped my feet in the car.

4:36 PM I’m driving on the 101. I have 68 miles until I get to Crescent City and I’m beside myself. I’m actually beside the ocean, but beside myself as well.  Going to pull off here in a little bit see if I can get to the ocean.  Don’t know what will happen if I do that, I’m going to try.

5:35  You will have to stop, that’s a rule. I think I just saw some water buffalo I just drove through. So I stopped at clam Beach toes in, sand artwork, picked up some rocks. My right pocket is full. Only one of them is heart-shaped though.
Driving on the Redwood Highway. *melt*

Just saw the highway sign that said Elk Highway. I bet you those animals I saw a little while ago in the lagoon we’re actually elk.

Just stopped again to play in the ocean. I don’t know what this place is called but it has black tiny tiny tiny pebbles for me!!  I also got my Pennsylvania State tag here in the family of 4, 3 of which were wearing black sweatshirt and Brown pants.  I told them they were matching, they knew that already.

7:35pm, Thursday: Drove through Crescent City, sat on the edge of the North American continent here in California and watched seals swim in the undulating mother ocean. Had a talk on the phone with a friend back home, then Peter, and then shared that magical moment with my grandmother (even though it was almost 11pm her time).  There was nothing that could’ve interrupted the peace and gratitude that I felt at that moment. Then I went off to find my campsite, got lost in the dark (thanks GPS), and then finally found the Jedediah Park campground.

 

6:30am MST. Most beautiful campsite ever. Ft Churchill. Jackrabbits, coyote last night, quail this morning… sage everywhere. California trail marker and Native American homesite.  Enormous and beautiful sage all around.  Only 2 other campers in the campground.
Last night I saw a giant owl as I was pulling up to Fort Churchhill. Driving yesterday was absolutely insane.  The mountains were enormous on HWY 15 in NV, the Extraterrestrial highway was so desolate and weird.  Driving past Walker Lake at dusk was totally dreamy/scary/buggy.  I woke up this morning in my car and it was 50°. So glad I did not sleep with the windows down, or I would’ve been cold!

8:15 AM Squeaky’s car wash to get all the bugs off my car. There were millions of them!!

It’s 55° out here 820am! Carson City Nevada
The mountains up ahead of me are all snow-covered. I wonder which ones they are. I’m gonna find out

8:35 AM elevation 6000 feet I just entered the El Dorado national Forest. There are a shit ton of evergreens coming up, it’s so beautiful. The landscape is changing to my left, snowcapped mountains soon I’m going to be passing by Lake Tahoe.

My lap is full of glass and vitamins. I bought a new jar of calcium magnesium and zinc vitamins and when I opened the package the glass exploded! I bought some lysine and some multivitamins also; Hopefully this staves off any fever blister.

Just passed Spooner Summit. I’m in the lake Tahoe basin 7100 and some feet!

Oh my God, I am so glad I did not drive through Reno, this is the most beautiful road. I’m also following the California migration trail supposedly.

10:05 AM. I don’t think I’m in Pacific Coast time yet but maybe I am I don’t know. I’m on Highway 50 going towards Sacramento I am 8 1/2 hours from the Jedediah Smith redwoods forest park looks like I’ll get there around 6 o’clock tonight. Unless Pacific Coast isn’t where I am yet in which case it will be 5 PM.
Nope, I’ve been in the Pacific Time zone and since I was in Nevada…. haha

10:10 Am PCT I got a little treat a little while back. I stopped to have breakfast at Epic Point. Right there, the Pacific Crest Trail touches up with Highway 50. I did not know that I was going to be crossing the PCT in a place where I can get out and walk on it. Treat status!!!  One day I would very much like to hike the PCT with a partner or a friend.  ❤

10:45 AM still on highway 50 driving through the El Dorado national forest.  Just passed the California passage reenactment group with a bunch of horses and they had a freaking police escort. I texted my friend Maggie and said what in the hell is this all about? And she said “welcome to the left coast. Those people are a special brand of weirdos. They’re the reason why California is not a gun friendly state!” That made me laugh ferociously.

11:10 AM 30 miles to Sacramento, sky opened up and I’m out of the mountains. The air smells like wood!! I keep saying this, but how breathtaking!! Everything is so big!!

11:25 AM We have a nice day here; I have just crossed the Sacramento County line. I have about 25 minutes until I reach Sacramento co-op where I’m going to stop and get some Teatree oil to hopefully help further prevent these fever blisters from forming.  My lips were so sunburned… So far I’ve been relatively lucky and they haven’t emerged, but I’m not counting any chickens if you know what I mean. How did I know that there’d be an upcoming co-op? It’s California man. Just testing out all of my preconceived notions.

11:45am Sacramento!! The vibration is back in my car. 😦 Heading to Les Schwab tire place to see whats up.

12:32pm
Emotions on high right now. Worried about the car and other things…..
Just read my horoscope and it’s telling.
Going to stop worrying about other things, because… Here’s the horoscope:

“PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Take your seasick pills. The waves will
sometimes be higher than your boat. Although I don’t think you’ll capsize,
the ride may be wobbly. And unless you have waterproof clothes, it’s
probably best to just get naked. You WILL get drenched. By the way,
don’t even fantasize about heading back to shore prematurely. You have
good reasons to be sailing through the rough waters. There’s a special
“fish” out there that you need to catch. If you snag it, it will feed you for
months — maybe longer.”

http://freewillastrology.com/horoscopes/

 

Pictures to come, again once I can get to a computer.

6/14/17 Update with photos!