chase the light

Ahhh back in the redwoods. It’s been too long. Good Morning California! I’m in you! This morning’s Ask ChatGPT, “What’s the best breakfast burrito in Crescent City?” Aztec Grill, eh? That’s across the street inside that Jacksons Market?! Jacksons Market being like a 7-Eleven. Weird, but awesome! No burrito photo but chose your soda size. Big, Bigger, Really Big and Giant. And yes I got the free banana with any size puchase. My belly is full of a lovely breakfast burrito and thanks Crescent City for not breaking into my car last. I read things about you.

First stop is a long time family vacation stop. I think most children in California grew up with a trip to Trees of Mystery. It’s an OG and real legend in the roadside attractions world. Last time here? 1976. They used to attach a Trees of Mystery thing on the bumper of your car. Back when bumpers weren’t just formed to the front of your car so you could wrap wire around them. I was so excited to see that after we came out to the parking lot. People would be pissed about that now. They lean into that little bumper thing now with magnets and keychains in the gift shop. They do give them out for free and I grabbed a couple of them. I got there early in the morning and was the first car in the parking lot. I want to get some miles behind me today so it’s going to be a quick visit. Babe the blue ox is undergoing a multi year restoration as he’s falling apart. They’ve added a tree walk and a gondola that you take to the top of the trails and there is absolutely no view whatsoever! Why did they even install this? lol What a waste! The ride was fun.

What lies ahead? Well, it’s lunch time. So the next city has a treat in the form of In-N-Out! I passed by some golden bears at a bridge and one of many logging trucks on this trip. How amazing does that Double Double look? Insert awful joke about bulimia and In-N-Out possibly being worth it. Popped over to the Victorian era Carson House/Ingomar Club and Pinc Lady homes after eating. Yes Pinc with a C. Pretty amazing, but it’s in Eureka… They certainly had high hopes for Eureka didn’t they? While there I was chatting with my Slack group of friends and one said to go visit the chocolate shop so I did. Like I said earlier just go do things on this trip. Whenever something pops up do it. And… well there wasn’t much there. What the hell Doug!? Ha, so I bought a peanut butter bar from a chocolate shop and headed south.

Next stop the Avenue of the Giants! Last time I was here was in 2005 as I took my s2000 on its first road trip. Amazing having a convertible in the redwoods! Extremely large sun roof isn’t bad but top down was next level. Really beautiful in this area of course! Words here don’t really describe the redwoods. It’s more of a vibe thing that you have to just do. Two of the most beautiful places in the world are in California. These redwoods and scuba diving off the coast in California’s kelp forests. They’re very similar in that looking up with the sunlight streaming through the branches is total magic.

Okay hokiness done, where are we staying tonight? The last real town was Fortuna and it’s dinner time. “ChatGPT are there any good Mexican restaurants in Fortuna?” Of course there are because ChatGPT never says anything mean. So El Paisano here I come. They were just closing for the day so I took it back to the 5 star Super 8 by Wyndham. Ha, who knew Wyndham was budget. Uh, damn that was a good meal. Time to walk it off. I still had a lot of daylight so let’s do it… “Hey ChatGPT are there any interesting towns around here?” Yes, Ferndale! What’s in Ferndale? Well, they shot the film The Majestic with Jim Carrey here and it’s Guy Fieri’s home town. Okay. Anyway, cute town and they drive around with dogs in the back of their trucks. That’s kinda Guy Fieri-like right?

Let’s get some sleep you light chasers we’ve got a long ass drive tomorrow! The second city I still call home after L.A. Take it away Scott McKenzie, “If you’re going to San Francisco…”