On the road

What's a road trip through the redwoods without The Trees of Mystery tourist trap near Klamath?  It's nice to know some things don't change. This is the very same "talking" Paul Bunyan who scared Amanda when she was a little girl.  John doesn't look too intimidated by the teenage wiseacre hiding inside.

We spent our second night on the road at Miranda Gardens, a cottage motel along The Avenue of the Giants.  We've stayed at this place twice before and I love it there, because it is peaceful and old-fashioned. This time we got the nicest cabin, spacious with a private deck looking into the forest.

However, our raft of technology (2 smartphones, 2 computers and an iPad) was dead in the water.

Maybe that's why it was so relaxing.  The swimming pool was freezing cold, and there wasn't much to do but admire the redwood trees.

We spent the day today winding down Highway 101. Round and round, up and down.  Northern California is very beautiful, but pack your patience, or else head over to I-5.

We had a long lunch in Hopland, which has become fancy, like so many wine country towns.  But folks are very relaxed here and that attitude is catching. More stops at a winery or two, and we finally reached our destination in Calistoga late in the afternoon.

"That's why I love road trips, dude. 

It's like doing something without actually doing anything.” 

John Greene