Fall Road Trip (CA Hwy 1)

billseyebillseye Registered Users Posts: 847 Major grins
edited December 21, 2010 in Journeys
Been lurking and posting in some of the challenges for a few weeks. This is my first foray into the Shots > Journeys forum. I'm a hobbyist (my wife would say obsessive hobbyist) with a day job in public education. Been shooting since I got a Minolta SRT-101 for Christmas in 1972. Even had a real darkroom in the garage that my dad and I built.

So here's my latest Journey...

In late September, my beautiful bride and I took a 2,000 mile road trip north on Hwy 1 from San Diego to the Avenue of the Giant Redwoods. First stop was Paso Robles for some tasting at our favorite wineries. Click on any of the photos to see the full gallery from this trip. While you're there, take a look around at some of my other galleries and give a thumbs up for any you particularly like.

1. Here's a shot taken right outside the tasting room (Opolo Vineyards):
<a href="http://billseye.smugmug.com/Travel/CA-Road-Trip-Sept-2010/14006468_GDxWN#1030233565_8rPb9-A-LB&quot; title="Getting close to harvest time"><img src="http://billseye.smugmug.com/Travel/CA-Road-Trip-Sept-2010/0922-Road-Trip012/1030233565_8rPb9-L-1.jpg&quot; title="Getting close to harvest time" alt="Getting close to harvest time"></a>



Day two was dedicated to the portion of Highway 1 from Cambria north to San Francisco.

2. This this is the east side of the highway across from the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Reserve:
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3. There were mostly sleeping adolescent seals when we were there. Not too much to photograph, but I liked this perspective enough to include it here:
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4. The winding road along the coast is certainly one of the most scenic drives in the world. Here's a view from south of Big Sur (quasi-polaroid color processing courtesy of Nik Color Effects in Aperture):
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5. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park:
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Day Three started north of San Francisco with breakfast at the Paradise Cafe at Stinson Beach.

6. Here's the view from our table:
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7. Then a walk on the beach at Stinson Beach:
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8. A stop at the Cowgirl Creamery at Point Reyes Station where we watched the process of making their Red Hawk cheese.
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9 Passed through Bodega where the church and schoolhouse from The Birds still stand:
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10. Then on to Mendocino along more of this spectacular highway:
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Day four was in and around Mendocino County.

11. At Glass Beach in Fort Bragg we came across this group who were saying goodbye to a friend be scattering ashes and floating messages of love tied to balloons:
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12. We happened along to the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse on one of three days a year that they offer tours to the lighthouse lens. Here's the lighthouse and the lens up close:
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Day four took us north from Mendocino to the Redwoods, then south to the northern end of Napa Valley.

13. It was the only day of anything other than spectacular weather - and that was nothing more than some misty wind and big surf:
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14. By the time we got over the coastal mountains, the weather was incredible again. Here are a couple of shots at the Avenue of the Giants:
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Bill Banning

Check out billseye photos on SmugMug

Comments

  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,948 moderator
    edited December 8, 2010
    The northern coast of California is some of the most spectacular. Especially around the Sonoma area and the far north as it cuts into the redwoods.
    If you find yourself in Point Reyes Station again, try the Bovine Cafe for morning pastries and coffee or maybe the Pine Cone for breakfast. Both places are excellent.

    Thanks for taking us along!
    Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
  • schmooschmoo Registered Users Posts: 8,468 Major grins
    edited December 9, 2010
    Looks like you guys had a fantastic trip. I've long wanted to take a several-day drive from north to south (or vice versa) since the CA coast has so much to offer. I'm insanely jealous that you got to take your time. Thanks for sharing!
  • Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
    edited December 9, 2010
    3,5 and 11 are my favorite, very interesting. 3rd confused me for a moment!
    Thine is the beauty of light; mine is the song of fire. Thy beauty exalts the heart; my song inspires the soul. Allama Iqbal

    My Gallery
  • billseyebillseye Registered Users Posts: 847 Major grins
    edited December 10, 2010
    ian408 wrote: »
    The northern coast of California is some of the most spectacular. Especially around the Sonoma area and the far north as it cuts into the redwoods.
    If you find yourself in Point Reyes Station again, try the Bovine Cafe for morning pastries and coffee or maybe the Pine Cone for breakfast. Both places are excellent.

    Thanks for taking us along!

    I've lived in Southern CA my whole life and been up 101 to Puget Sound. I've driven and riden (Harley) Hwy 1 south of San Francisco. Can't believe I'd never been on Hwy 1 north of SF. What a great road! Point Reyes Station was a highlight. I wish we'd had more time at every corner!

    Thanks for the tip. I'd love to do this again and spend more time on the northern half. And I can't believe what a perfect time of year (late Sept, early Oct) was for this area!
    Bill Banning

    Check out billseye photos on SmugMug
  • billseyebillseye Registered Users Posts: 847 Major grins
    edited December 10, 2010
    3,5 and 11 are my favorite, very interesting. 3rd confused me for a moment!

    Thanks for the feedback. I was really touched by this group of people (#11) scattering ashes and floating balloons in honor of a friend. I kept my distance out of respect, but spoke with them as they were leaving. Think I've found the way I'd like to be remembered when the time comes.
    Bill Banning

    Check out billseye photos on SmugMug
  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,948 moderator
    edited December 10, 2010
    billseye wrote: »
    Thanks for the tip. I'd love to do this again and spend more time on the northern half. And I can't believe what a perfect time of year (late Sept, early Oct) was for this area!

    As you head north on hwy 1, there are so many little communities to see. Once you get North of Mendocino, even the small communities yield to the land--it's beautiful. On a motorcycle, doubly so.
    Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
  • wpbarrwpbarr Registered Users Posts: 61 Big grins
    edited December 13, 2010
    13 is wonderful. I love the fog in the first and the timing for the wave is perfect.
    --
    Bill Barr
    6x7, 35mm, m4/3
  • captnemocaptnemo Registered Users Posts: 186 Major grins
    edited December 19, 2010
    Great shots, thanks for reminding me of the Mendocino coast. I was stationed in Fort Bragg / Noyo river. Spent a lot of time out near the Pt. Cabrillo light house. The area around it is a marine preserve so it's one of the best places to dive and see how the coast looks when it hasn't been interfered with, and the whales pass very nearby during their migration. My Grandfather was born in Caspar and I scattered his ashes off shore from Caspar cove while I was there, so the folks at glass beach (another favourite spot) has meaning to me as well. Thanks again.
  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,948 moderator
    edited December 19, 2010
    You were stationed in FB? My ex-BIL was stationed there too.
    Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
  • ChatKatChatKat Registered Users Posts: 1,357 Major grins
    edited December 20, 2010
    Our favorite trip
    Lovely images....I am jealous of your visit to both Opolo and Cowgirl Creamery. We didn't stop in Paso or Pt. Reyes....

    I've traveled pretty extensively and my very favorite is California North from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara to Cambria/Big Sur - Monterey and Carmel to San Francisco, Mendocino, Napa and Back.

    We did that a month ago...images are here:
    http://www.flashfrozenphotography.com/Travel/Monterey-Mendocino-Napa/14365608_2LW5H#1104130560_8D8cZ
    Kathy Rappaport
    Flash Frozen Photography, Inc.
    http://flashfrozenphotography.com
  • grimacegrimace Registered Users Posts: 1,537 Major grins
    edited December 20, 2010
    Great looking series!! You really captured a lot on your trip.
  • jbrown4849jbrown4849 Registered Users Posts: 26 Big grins
    edited December 21, 2010
    I love all of your photos, esp. #6. They all have a special light or line that is subtle but forceful.
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