A final coastal drive

The Airstream went in for a few weeks of repairs – minor repairs, nothing to be worried about – so we piled into the ‘vacation home’ that is Big Blue (yes, he will still be known as Big Blue) and set out for a weekend journey.

First stop was a quirky little town of Port Costa on the waters of the Carqueniz Strait, miles off the main highway between Martinez and Crockett, across the  water from Benicia. In total the town consists of a half-block of businesses all of which are unique and funky enough to stay that way. The plan was simply to stay the night in the parking lot, in Big Blue of course, after a night out on the town… specifically after having a few drinks at the biker hangout; The Warehouse. Not really the most scenic or quietest place to camp, but we still had a great time.

The following morning we took off on our way to the coast, back to Point Reyes where Kerri can refill here coastal-energy-banks for the upcoming year away. However, just as we arrived the decision to keep driving up the coast was agreed upon. No destination fixed, we drove North out of Point Reyes. Past Bodega Bay and Sonoma Coast State Park. For me this was virgin territory, as I have never driven the particular stretch of road north of this point.

Fort Ross State Historic Park was our afternoon stop. We toured the old fort, revisiting Kerri’s memories of a childhood visit at the same time.

We continued driving up the coast, taking our time and using just about every turnout available as Big Blue tends to go at a pace, not California speeds. We had three campgrounds up ahead that we were going to choose from, but upon checking in on our second one the decision was easy. Ocean Cove Campground would be our stop for the night, with it’s epic camp sites overlooking the bluffs and waves. We found a seclude site, pointed Big Blue out towards the Pacific Ocean, and nudged it as close to the end as we could.

  Feeling sorry for it, Kerri bought the last bundle of firewood at the store, so we had ourselves a fire while watching the sun set and were tucked under the blankets by 7PM. The next morning, I actually got her out of bed before the sunrise an set out, with the dogs, for a short hike along the bluffs. We reached the pinnacle of the trail at the same moment the sun decided to drop in to start the day officially.

We did continue North another few hours later that morning before turning South East to reconnect to a major highway which brought us back to my families place in Vallejo, just in time for the end of the day, and work in the morning. Here we will camp while the trailer is being repaired. My son fly’s out for a visit the first few days of December.