Eureka, CA. to Point Arena, CA. - Monday August 18

This post is a day late due to some uploading picture difficulties, but I did a work-around and got at least some of the pictures on my computer. But honestly, pictures don't do this drive justice. I was on Highway 101 until I got to Leggett, where I turned off to get onto CA-1. That's the road that literally hugs the coast, and goes in and out of groves of giant redwood trees. I thought I was going to run into forest fire issues, but apparently the smoke stayed on 101 past Leggett, whereas I got off 101.

I made the quick drive through the tree in Leggett so I could get a picture

and send it to Eva. Amy showed the picture to Eva and Eva's response was

"Is Gramma coming over to my house?" Yes sweetie, I'm driving through

the big tree on 520!

Crazy, windy road - that's CA-1. It's almost a pattern in the turns though. Sharp right, sharp left, quick right, quick left, an elbow turn, up hill, straight for a little while, and then the pattern starts again, sometimes in the opposite direction. I'd like to see it on a map. Crazy! I had a great time driving it. Most of the time I was in the trees. Once and awhile I would see some fog creeping through the branches of those trees so I knew I was getting close to the coast. Then I did one wild turn to the left and let out an audible "Whoa!" as there I was, on a cliff looking straight out at the Pacific Ocean. Foggy, but nonetheless, awesome.

The windy road continued along the coastline, with some dips and flips of a rollercoaster, but it was fun. And, it wasn't crowded. When a slower vehicle came to a turnout, it turned out. I hardly slowed down. I was Mario Andretti on the CA-1!

The first lighthouse that I came to on this day was Point Cabrillo. I have history with this lighthouse (see previous post) so I was glad that I was going to get to see it during the day and not saturated in fog. And, of course, there was the mountain lion sign (see previous post). I laughed when I saw it. I didn't see any deer this time and the calla lilies are past their time, but the lighthouse was open to visitors and I had a very nice visit. I walked around the grounds a little bit, remembering my reverent experience there last time.

The half mile walk to the lighthouse.

From Point Cabrillo light, I continued south toward my final destination for the day - Point Arena Lighthouse. The lighthouse is just north of the town of Point Arena. I was so excited when I arrived at the lighthouse and "checked in" to the Keeper's Room. It's the closest room to the lighthouse and the only one with a front door view of the lighthouse! I was giddy and kept exclaiming, "I can't believe that I'm staying here!!" So cool!!

From the road leading into the lighthouse

My room. So cute!

 

Lying on my bed looking out the door! Awesome!

The view out my window. Waves crashing on the rocks and the Cliffside.

I turned on the fire for a few minutes just for the ambience.

 

I drove into Point Arena for dinner and realized that I had stayed in this little town on my last road trip down here, and I actually ate at the same exact restaurant. Great memories. After dinner I drove about 16 miles north on CA-1 to the town of Gualala - pronounced Wah-LA-la - Indian name. What a cute little town. Where it was quite foggy at the lighthouse, the sun was shining in Gualala and I watched the sun set into a bank of fog on the horizon. Beautiful!

I fell asleep looking at the lighthouse out the door and listening to the waves crashing on the rocks out my window. Nice!!