Hubby Pickup

Day 11: Fortuna to Bodega Bay via Sacramento International Airport

Lounged around the hotel in the morning. Since we had pushed past our original destination, I had time to play with before heading to Sacramento to pickup the hubby. Also, I wasn't sure there was anything to distract my drive. So, why scramble out so fast only to have to sit near the airport waiting!? Boy was I wrong!

Driving down the 101, I saw a sign for avenue of the Giants scenic alternative. It's an alternative, so it must parallel my current route, right? Off the 101 I went to check out these Giants! Of course, I did check the map to make sure it was going the same direction I needed to go versus back from whence I came. 

As I entered Humboldt Redwood State Park and began the Avenue of the Giants, I was taken away by the giant redwood trees. It was beautiful, especially with the rain and mist. There were multiple stopping points for tourist attractions to just exploring the various groves. 

About halfway through, we came to a spot where we could drive through a tree. Well...duh! Why wouldn't I do such a thing? Sure, it cost $10, and it was raining, and I didn't have anyone to catch video of me doing these things, but I still wanted to do it. So, through the tree I went.

It was cool because I was the only person there, and paying was simply putting my money in a pay tube. No human interaction. 

After that, we continued along the avenue despite the GPS continuing to tell us to get on the 101. A little bit further, we were able to find a gas station near the one log home and grandfather tree (photos in tomorrow's post). Further down the avenue, we came across the immortal tree, chimney tree, and lots more groves. Some spots said dogs were not allowed while others had no restrictions. So, Jasper didn't get a lot of exercise through the avenue. 

Just south of the avenue of the Giants, there were lots of little tourist stops. We stopped briefly to check out Legend of Bigfoot shop. It had so many yard art items that it was fun to wander around.

It was a little creepy when one of the employees engaged me in conversation, and then proceeded to follow me all over the place outside. As I exited the port-a-potty, he was approaching telling me how he checks them every 15min. I found myself some fun bigfoot items, and continued down the 101.

The next adventure stop was Confusion Hill.

Signs along the road reminded me of the mystery spot in St Ignace, MI. So, of course I had to check it out. The cost was $5, which I felt was manageable. I'm not sure if I was just sent on my own to explore because it was raining and I was the only person there, or if that is their normal process. At the mystery spot in Michigan, you are part of a group with a guide showing you all the mysteries of the spot, thus making it feel more possible to be a mystical place. Here, at Confusion Hill, I was on my own. Again, Jasper was not allowed to join, so he rested in the car while I went through quickly. 

I walked up hill a little to enter the "shack" built to demonstrate the mystery of the location. Signs on the walls explained the mysteries as well as instructing what to do. Things like standing on the wall, trying to get out of the chair without using your hands to push up, seeing water flow uphill, or the ball that you rolled downhill, and it rolled back up. 

After playing in the "shack," which had been decorated with graffiti, the option is available to enjoy the picnic area which had large redwoods in memory of the twin towers, stumps to show the age of a large redwood, fun signs talking about beer, and areas to stack rocks.

I think on a non-rainy day, it might have been more interesting as it would have been more populated and the food stand might have been open.

Confusion Hill and the avenue of the Giants definitely ate a bunch of my free time for the morning. With hubby pickup time growing ever closer, we settled in and headed towards Sacramento. We stopped at a couple vistas to try to get Jasper to poop with no success. Since I was heading to Mendocino, I felt the need to grab a photo of Mendocino Lake along the way. 

We made it to Sacramento with a little time to spare, and double checked to make sure the hubby's flight was on time. It was slightly early, so we headed to the airport and waited in the free waiting area for my hubby to say he was off the plane and headed for pickup. 

I'm pretty sure Jasper smiled when he realized the person getting in our car was his human daddy. They hugged and kissed and reconnected as we headed towards Bodega Bay from there. A quick stop for dinner at a fast food joint along the way, and we made it to Bodega Harbor Inn with daylight to spare. It was raining, so camping was definitely out for the night. That was okay. The little bungalow was adorable and the bed was comfortable. We took Jasper for a walk, where he finally pooped, and then headed to bed. I used the downtime with internet to look for things to do for tomorrow. We were in the filming area of Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds, but I also learned the final scene in the Goonies was filmed just up the road. Ideas were coming together well. Sleep first though.