The road trip of road trips...

Almost 1000 miles. Okay... just over 900. But it's quite a schlep. I'm hauling myself and numerous boxes in my car along the 101 or the 1 north into Oregon. Quite a trek! Here are some highlights so far:

• Getting started – I hit the road around 9am on Wednesday. After grabbing coffee and a banana, I headed north on highway 101.

• Hearst Castle – Wow! It's hard to believe that someone lived like this. On 200,000 acres, there's a private airfield, a commercial dock, a zoo, and an immense mansion. The rooms are styled on themes... gothic, cloisters, baroque, etc. There are two enormous pools, an institutionally-equipped kitchen, and kennels for some 60 dachsunds. I can't even begin to fathom the kind of privilege this sort of ownership would bring.

• Big Sur – I watched the sunset as I drove north into Big Sur. Double wow!

• Monterey – I stopped over in Monterey before hitting up Cannery Row and the Monterey By Aquarium. This place is simply mesmerizing. The Row – as immortalized by Steinbeck – is now quite the commercial property, but you can catch a glimpse of yesteryear if you squint tightly enough. And the aquarium is absolutely spectacular!

• San Francisco – I stopped off briefly in the Frisco before I crossed the Golden Gate for destinations northward. I had intentions to hit up the Rogue brewing pub in North Beach, but they weren't going to open until I needed to be on my way. Oh well. But I got some great shots of Coit Tower and the Transamerica Building.

• Humboldt County – I wish that I saw more of this area during the daytime. As I moseyed into the redwood forests, I saw the bases of some of these giants, but as I passed signs advertising "Grandfather Tree" and "Drive-Thru Tree" I ached that I was missing it all. I was, however, impressed with folks who created peace signs with twinkle lights so I could experience the gist of the vibe in the dark.

Now, I'm sitting in a hotel room in Eureka, and I'm anxious to see the town in the daylight. Tomorrow will bring new adventures in visits to Trees of Mystery and points northward into Oregon. I just hope it will include visits to some spectacular lighthouses. We'll see. By tomorrow night, I'll be sleeping in my folks' guest bed.

The journey is wild. I'm happy to be on the journey, and I love that you're on it with me. Take care! Peace and love.