04.03.2026
Coming to you live from the laundromat. But that’s a story for another day. (Spoiler alert: I’m experiencing anxiety around strangers washing my clothes for me so I’m doing it myself. And that’s fine.)
Annnnnyway.
Last Thursday, after spending the first night in the new place, my bestie and I decided to do one last little road trip to the even more west coast — THE PACIFIC OCEAN.
Bonus points: the journey took us through a small chunk of the California Redwoods that had me like 🤯🤯🤯🤯
It was wild. We were headed down 199 to go to Crescent City and as we wound through the mountains the normal (but still super tall) trees suddenly gave way to these ancient giants. I was partly terrified — that road is REALLY winding — and partly just in awe. Like I don’t think I fully understood the word “awe” until we passed through those trees.
Even more so after LK took my picture in front of one.
I mean the thing was wider than our SUV.
It was insane.
I regret nothing.
Even almost dying a few times.
Once you’re out of the Redwoods you’re basically to the coast. There seemed to be very little transition that I can remember. Or maybe I was still reeling from the majesty of so many giant fuggin’ trees.
I was ten or eleven the last time I visited the Pacific Ocean and that was Morro Bay. I remember it being super different from east coast beaches and I also remember trying to bring home a shit ton of rocks.
Yeah. I was that kind of kid.
I’m happy to report this time I only brought home a shell. And a newfound fear of beach squirrels.
We got to Crescent City at low tide but it was still really cool. Almost cooler I dare say with this weird rippling sort of sand/mud combo laden with tiny puddles (tide pools?) and seagulls. There was some interesting succulent/grass combo as well that I enjoyed photographing.
Rocks lined the part of the beach that touched the parking area and we quickly realized there were like a zillion squirrels running around. A kindly lady was feeding them and to that end they seemed to think we had food too. (Volume on if you want to hear me go into a hilarious panic as this squirrel got too curious for me)
After our walk up the beach we popped into SeaQuake for another late lunch and some brews, which were not disappointing. One of the brews I tried tasted like licking a tree. But, like, not in a bad way?
The fish tacos were to die for and the cilantro lime rice that came with them was perfection. I was defo a member of the clean plate club for this one.
Turns out I liked the tree beer so much that I bought a six pack. … And then had to awkwardly carry it all the way back to the car.
Back into the Redwoods we went with full bellies and a slightly better idea of what to expect from the winding route 199.
On the way back we made sure to stop at the Welcome to Oregon sign as we’d neglected to do as much the day before.
All in all it was a pretty great day and I’m glad we took the opportunity to visit while LK was here.
Similar to my east coast life, if not a little more awesome — Crescent City in Northern California is only about 2 1/2 hours away from where I’m now calling home. That’s not dissimilar from where I was in Maryland with the eastern shore being about two hours and the Delaware beaches another two hours ish, if that.
I can’t remember.
If I’m being honest, once I discovered the Outer Banks I never looked back.
I didn’t really want the day to end, but it had to, bummer that that was. And I was pretty sad that LK would be going home the next day.
I’m hoping to have many more trips to Crescent City, as well as some Oregon shorelines. I don’t doubt there’s more than a few that are just as gorgeous and I’m excited to explore each and every one of them.
Peace out cub scouts,
Ames
Oregon Trail: Ames Edition 
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