North to Oregon...Day 1 - Wonder Of Wander

We left San Francisco late afternoon on Sunday, October 27, 2013. Upon arriving in Marin County we immediately got on RT 1 also known as Shoreline Highway in this section while south its known as the Pacific Coast Highway. I must still have some motorcycle genes in me because I loved this section of road. Youtube videos to be posted soon!

While this route is a lot slower than the 101, it is a MUST TRAVEL road, but I did not expect to see bicyclists! Motorcycles, Cars sure…but bicycles? Yep, and most of them Europeans who really know how to travel. I got to meet several of them over the next few days on this road. The Shoreline Highway travels the shoreline (imagine that) which also means it is full of steep grades and switchbacks the likes of which I had never seen before even though I did travel the Pacific Coast Highway further south back in 1999. It offers spectacular views of the steep mountain terrain you drive through on your way toward the shoreline. Once you reach the ocean, its a mix of ocean view then mountains then ocean over and over and over. All the while, the road is in perfect shape, there are few if any guardrails and fewer signs. What it does have is an occasional place to pull over to allow cars to pass. Not a passing lane, but what they call a turn out. Just a short section so us slow vehicles can make way for faster vehicles. Driving a Bus, I quickly discovered EVERY turnout on the Shoreline Highway :D. Slow and Stead is how we do it in a Bus.

It was unfortunate that the fog had rolled in, but it was still a spectacular drive. A few miles outside of Point Reyes National Seashore I happened by an interesting roadside site. I’ve always been known for my timing and this was no exception. As I rounded a corner I noticed a young woman on a farm gate and about the same time I noticed her, she threw off a coat. As I got closer, sure enough…there was a photographer there taking pictures of this model now posed on a farm gate in nothing but some little lace undergarments. I offered a friendly beep beep and let them be. Up the road a piece I found a campground called Olema Ranch. It was a bit expensive so I turned around and headed up the road to the Point Reyes Park. A ranger there helped me find less expensive accommodations and pointed me toward a State Park that was supposed to have electric hook up according to a map we were looking at.

I turned around and drove back into town and headed up the hill toward my destination 6 miles away. Along the way guess who I would pass a second time? Yep, the model and photographer at a new location. This time I was either too early or late, but I offered a Beep Beep just the same. At the top of the hill I found my State Park along with two bicyclists. The first of many I would meet on this stretch of road between here and Oregon. I was quite impressed with their ability to peddle up the hills, I was further impressed to learn they started from Washington State. This couple was from Germany and spoke only a little bit of English, but they spoke more English than I spoke German (I don’t ) so we chatted for a bit. They were concerned that they could not find a campground n San Francisco which was there next major destination. I pulled out my phone and a quick search I found them a campground for $40 a night. Expensive for tent camping, but a lot less than the previous one they had heard about at $110 a night. They were actually going to peddle back to the previous town just to find something so I was glad I was there to help them. It was then a Ranger came by and I asked for help myself as I could not find which sites had Electric. Sadly I was told, none. The map was wrong. As reluctant as I was, I had to go back down the 6 mile hill I go to Olema Ranch.

Upon pulling in a second time I decided to look for a spot before filling out the night registration and I am glad I did. First I stumbled upon a fellow camper that lost her dog. It was a Jack Russell Terrier and I was heart broken for her so I drove around the campground for about 30 minutes helping her look. The dog had run off as she was setting up camp and she didn’t notice. Neither of us found the little girl so I turned my attention to finding a spot and then would continue the search on foot. That’s when I discovered that they only offered 30 amp service and I need 15. The camp was full of bad Mojo for me and I quickly departed for points north.

It was now dark and foggy and slow going. I do not like to travel at night and both Lexie and I were ready for bed, but there was no place to camp and we needed electric for heat. Sure you can camp in these temps without it, but only if you have the right gear, we don’t. My propane heater was yet to be acquired so electric was a must at this point. When I was about to give up and just tough it out for the night in some parking lot I pulled into this small town. Really Small! I was actually looking for a parking lot, but instead I found a very tiny Restaurant/Hotel. More like a Bed and Breakfast though they did Dinner and Bed. 😀

I went inside and asked the bartender if I could camp in there lot and plug in somewhere. With that a man approached and said he could help me. He had overheard the conversation and was either the owner or manager. He thought I was looking to plug in an electric vehicle! And guess what…He had a Quick Charger for Electric Cars on the outside wall of the hotel! Yes, I am in California! I quickly explained that I just need a 15amp plug and he offered me an outlet and a place to park for the night and wifi for $20. I was so thrilled that I ordered dinner from his restaurant and brought it out to the bus to eat.

I awoke in the morning to discover I was in the Historic Valley Ford Hotel parking lot in in the smallest town I have seen. I went across the street to the General Store for some breakfast and then returned to pack up and hit the road.