Coastin’

And so, it was time to leave California. It was bittersweet driving down highway 120 one last time, knowing I would not be seeing those gorgeous NorCal mountains for some time but ready to enjoy the journey ahead. That is, the journey north, and west.

After spending night one at the Four Points in San Rafael, I started the journey there in the Bay Area and heading to Golden Gate Park. If you’ve ever been, just saying Golden Gate Park is rather broad as the Golden Gate National Recreation Area has 37 distinct sites within this gorgeous 82,000-acre nationally protected space. My preferred area of viewing was the Point Reyes and enjoying all that was offered.

Found a friend while taking it easy on my drive up the PCH.

From the wildflowers to wildlife, Point Reyes has so much to offer. In one morning, to and from the lighthouse, I was able to see coyotes, deer free-range cattle, as well as coastal access right next to colorful fields of floret and finish with a scenic drive through mountains and lush forests tucked a bit further off the shores. It was just one more reason for me to come to the conclusion that Golden Gate Park is quite enormous and a park I will happily revisit it to get around it more and more. The best part was that I got spend the day with minimal crowds of max. 8 people at every stop and sometimes without a single other person. Folks, that is another reason to visit all of your parks because the less visited still love your attention and you will love the attention they will give you.

From there, it was time to continue north and there was no need for the Maps because there only one route. Having driven it a few times already, I have come to absolutely adore the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and anyone who has driven it surely knows why. Even in late April and early May, one of America’s craziest roads was quiet and easy to cruise.

Through Sea Ranch, Fort Bragg, and more beautiful beach towns I started sensing the feeling of nature reenergizing me. Working seasonal usually means there is little time to take off, as well as many opportunities for working weeks well over 40 hours at times. Through others and my own experiences, I realized how important it was to fill your own cup again before a new season, in order to deliver quality service and the best possible energy for another excellent season ahead. As that energy refresh was growing in that moderate 70-degree weather, the sun was setting and the time to wind down was imminent. I was able to start doing so, as I drove a very quiet stretch of the PCH and found my own private surprise. Two deer grazing in the tall grass, and not another person nor car around. It was a great way to end the first day of a road trip and a perfect segway into day two.

Saturday morning was not welcomed with the same sunshine Friday brought, as the rain rolled in overnight to Northern California. Nonetheless, I was still wildly eager to wake up surrounded by some trees I’ve been waiting to see: The Redwoods.

From sunrise, the rain was coming down and I found it best to scout the park a little until I would eventually stumble upon a group of more gorgeous Roosevelt Elk. After some (somewhat) short admiration of these big forest dogs, I made my way through the 300-foot alleyway ahead. So many groves of the towering trees were up and down the Newton Drury Scenic Parkway, and one I was able to call my own. Moorman Grove is a half-mile trail and a pretty cool thing to come across without any prior knowledge. I’m proud that this family has made our mark in nature, whether it was by our doing or not.

The rain continued but I was itching to get into those trees. I thought another great stop would be to make my way in the Lady Bird Johnson Grove. Through this iconic grove, I did a lot less walking and a lot more standing; looking straight up in pure amazement. I mean, it’s bad enough I don’t reach 6 feet but these trees really have to rub it in.

The start of the trail at the Lady Bird Johnson Grove. I was sure to thank the sun for a brief appearance.

As I was leaving the Lady Bird Johnson Grove, I drove my way through the redwoods once again and I was able to catch some faint sunlight creeping in through the trees. It was no direct sunlight on this cloudy day but it sure did make the day brighter - literally! I had to stop frolicking and dub this as my final goodbye to California, as it was time to continue north and onto the Oregon coast.

Like the redwood forests, I had yet to see the Oregon coast and I got a front-row seat to it on Highway 101. Thanks to a strong recommendation by a friend, I spent the rest of my day in the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. Natural Bridges? In the OCEAN? Yes, please. I spent lots of time soaking it in the coast again, and even did something I had not done in some time - take a nap! Right off of the beach and it was a blast.

The overcast stuck around for the day and but I prepared for sunset pictures regardless on Meyers Creek State Beach. The sadder weather stuck around but cmon, I was on the beach so how bad was it really? It gave me a chance to work with a less inviting scene and still get some cool shots, once again all to myself and blissfully. Because it’s necessary to appreciate what you get, not what you didn’t.

A cold and rainy night faded and I woke up the next morning to a clear sky, just as the sun was rising. Sunrise is cool on its own but after a storm is when they light up even brighter. Gold Beach was my canvas to ring May in, and beautifully so on this divine Sunday morning. I was left utterly speechless at this marvelous sunrise and, of course, the only word I had: WOW.

Yet another sunrise to behold on this beautiful planet. I was thankful to have even captured something so brilliant and I am so glad we get one of those every day and her identical twin each night. That was a perfect ending to the coastal journey, as it was time to head inland to hang out first in Medford, Oregon and then straight north. After a flurry of gorgeous views, it was then time for a flurry of my favorite people.

From Medford, it was up to Eugene, Oregon. I was able to meet up with an old friend from our time in Yellowstone, and the same man who recommended those awesome scenic corridors of the Oregon Coast. Thanking Jonah for not only the suggestions in his home state but for showing me around a pretty cool college town and showing me some really cool spots in Eugene, like Community Cup Coffee. If you’re ever in downtown Eugene, go and visit this brand new spot for your delicious coffees and even better sandwiches!

After, my time in Eugene, I once again made my way to Vancouver, Washington, to see my extended family in the Flynn’s and their exceptional pups. Some of the best rejuvenation comes from our beloved dogs and I sure soaked it in. One more shoutout to Annie and Baxter, for all the love they shared.

After a calming ride up the coast, it was a superb farewell to a state I came to love in Cali and a state I’ve decided will get a lot more of my attention in Oregon and certainly Washington again soon. The last shoutout is reserved for someone who deserves all the praise for an achievement so large. The BIGGEST shoutout goes to my sister, who graduated earlier this month from UCF and absolutely crushed it in the process. Congratulations, Taylor - the world is yours and I have no doubt you show everyone how high you can fly.

2022 Graduate from University of Central Florida, my sister, Taylor Moorman.