Day 11 - Road Trip - Pacific Ocean and Redwoods

So after a hard good-bye, we hit the road again, this time heading down the coast into California.  It's hard to put into words, but California and the west are just home to me.  I've only lived twelve years of my life here, but I've spent many vacations here as well.  I still have family here and it's just a big part of what makes me who I am.  I love the ocean, the mountains, the lakes, the smells, the varying landscapes.  When we got married and agreed to move to the Midwest to be near Chris' family we had a deal that we would still travel back to California often.  Chris has definitely kept up his end of the deal, for which I am so thankful.  It does my soul well to be "home" every couple of years.  Thanks baby!

Okay, on to the events and pictures of the day.  The Redwoods are one of our most favorite places.  They are absolutely breathtaking, hard to capture in pictures and simply amazing.  We traveled down the 101 most of the way to SF, so we got to take in great views of the Pacific and the Redwoods, all woven into one.  We decided to head on to Tahoe a day early for our Clark family reunion, so we'll arrive there late tonight.  There are going to be lots more fun filled days ahead!

So long for now, friend.

And so long for now to drive-thru mochas.

Hello, beautiful Pacific Coast!

We will return indeed!

Home!

The beginning of Avenue of the Giants.....

Oh yes we did!  It took a lot of nerve on Chris' part and the encouragement of a stranger to help me guide Chris through, but it was a fun moment!

Enormously huge and majestic!

I love the CA Stellar Jays.  This banded guy landed on our side mirror, hoping for a handout.

A great day, topped off with In-N-Out, the best burgers ever!  Oh wait, it will be an even better day when we arrive in Tahoe to awaiting family in just another hour or so!  Woo hoo!