Yesterdays drive started with a very early rise at my brothers house in San Francisco. I wanted to spend my first night at Big Sur but opted to make up some more time and take the 101 instead of the 1. I looked at a few spots in Santa Cruz but I couldn’t find anything. Everyone was totally booked for the holiday week.

The plan was to drive to Mendocino, roughly 4 hours outside of the city, and spend the rest of the day exploring. I have to be in Portland by Friday. I figure 4 hours a day driving should be plenty of time. I took route 128 off of the 101 and instantly began to feel how hot the day was going to be. Wherever I was in 3 hours time – it had to be by a water source. The road winded thru some of the most beautiful country my eyes have seen. Vineyards, old beat up barns, tractors and streams.

I can’t believe the quality of picture the I Phone delivers! I’ve refused this thing Christmas after Christmas. Each year saying “Thank you, but I don’t need it”. So my mom gave me her old 4s. I brought it along just in case and then realized that I could use that instead of the GoPro to take snaps. My point and shoot died somewhere in Sayulita. So now I have a kick ass camera and a GPS in my pocket. I’m starting to like this thing. A lot.

Eventually the 128 met up with the 1.

A few short mile away I got to Mendocino and found myself at Big River. I wished that I would of had a canoe and a fishing setup.

“Wow, this is really pretty. I wonder what else is ahead.”

Why do I do that? I recognize the beauty but refuse to be satisfied and keep wondering what else is on the other side. Dummy.

So I left Mendocino and spent the next 3 hours trying to find another spot just like Big River. It never happened. Eventually I found myself in the Redwood forest, hot and exhausted. From the highway, a river kept showing its presence every so often. Eventually I found a spot to camp where I thought I could walk to the river.

Boom, lesson learned. I stayed put this time. I spent the rest of the day like a Salmon trying to spawn in this little beauty.