Shady NoCal

We set off, regretfully leaving the majestic redwoods behind in pursuit of new adventures. There were a few hours of driving ahead in order to reach the Best Western of Petaluma, CA. We drove down US-101 for a while before seeing signs for Avenue of the Giants, a scenic drive through some of the old growth redwoods that had avoided the scourge of logging several decades previous. Given the rarity of such ancient trees, it was a necessary detour.


The road was not unlike the Newton B. Drury scenic highway (except this time it was lit by the sun instead of headlights). The mammoth trees were scattered around, some encroaching on the highway and some hiding back in the dappled ferns. Occasionally there would be the carcass of one of the monsters laying on the ground with the same tragedy of a fallen Roman sculpture. We made the mandatory stop at the tree cross-section with various important events in history marked on the corresponding tree rings.





Then, the moment I was waiting for finally presented itself: the opportunity to drive through a redwood. Apparently one example of the old attraction was still remaining, though it was offset from the main road. I pulled off, gladly paying the $6, before slowly approaching the giant tunnel cut through the tree (note that I don't really advocate marring these beautiful trees, but since the tunnel was created a long time ago, I decided it would be okay to indulge in the unique experience). It was surprisingly close quarters in the tree. The whole thing lasted about 30 seconds and we were back on the road. We drove for miles and miles through the old growth redwoods before eventually merging back onto US-101. We passed through countless small towns clinging to the highway like parasites. The towns were mostly in disrepair and somewhat shady looking. We were both starving as we hadn't eaten since lunch, but every town we passed did not look terribly friendly. We even exited the highway once or twice to scope out potential dinner places, but they were all either 1. closed, 2. nonexistent, 3. far too sketchy looking to warrant stopping. We eventually reached a quasi-serious town and pulled off in the cool evening night air to a Carl's Jr. We quickly scarfed down some burgers as we looked up and double checked plans for the next day.

With our hunger finally satiated, we drove in a straight shot to Petaluma. The Best Western was spotted very shortly after exiting the interstate. We got a room almost at the end of the complex (it was pretty late to be fair) and pulled up in the makeshift parking spot. As I crept the car closer to the curb, I looked up onto the balcony level to see the person who was to become our neighbor for a night lazily leaning over the railing and gesturing at me to move over to the right. I glanced over and saw what I assumed to be his older BMW parked next to me.

We got out and assembled a bag full of shower supplies and clean clothes and walked up to our door. There's something about taking your first shower after about a week of camping that's indescribable. Anyone who's ever gone on long camping trips will agree. After we both were showered, we got our stuff ready for the next day and rightfully passed out.

[adam]