Road Trip Part 3 (Final Post)

Third and final post for the adventure.  The return trip post festival was quiet, easy and amazing.  Load out from the festival was organized chaos as expected.  I wanted to leave by noon, didn't get out until 3pm, but I had a feeling that was how it was going to go and just rolled with it and helped people with their things as I waited (support the community!).

My first stop post event was Bandon to stay for the night at the Bandon Wayside Motel which has a little RV park and camp ground in the back.  Lovely place for sure!  Not too far off of 101, clean place, well maintained and friendly hosts.  I found this site through a website called HipCamp (Like Air BnB for camping) for about $20 for the night.  Hot showers, laundry room and space to cook with your camp stove.  Would visit again for sure.

Crashed out early that night as I was tired from all the gear movement and driving.  I took off for the longest leg of my trip which was Bandon OR to Fort Bragg CA.  about 7 hours of driving.  I broke it up with a few stops, one random stop and one planned stop.

Bee on flower

First stop was Samuel H Boardman State Park for a break to stretch my legs and see the coast.  I only took one photo here of this lovely bumble bee on a flower.  The place was pretty, had some lovely walking trails but due to time and the planned stop I wanted to do, I couldn't stay long.  Perhaps next time!

Fern Canyon

Elk on the Beach

My next stop was several hours away but worth the visit.  Fern Canyon is high on my must see items every year I do this trip.  Eight miles down a dirt road through some amazing redwood forest that takes you down to a beach. is a place that looks like it is plucked from a fairy tale.  Be aware that driving this road, there is a point you have to drive through a stream.  My Kia Rio was able to handle it, but if you decide to not drive through the water, you can park and walk about 1/2 a mile to the canyon itself (I frequently see people who drive their Prius through the stream without issue).  The tall canyon walls cut out from a stream over hundreds of years, tall trees growing off the top of the walls, which are covered in ferns and moss is a site to see.  Water trickles down in spots in gentle falls of water that look like diamonds falling from the sky.  The hike is about 1.5 miles to complete the loop, I generally stick inside the canyon and explore the beach.  On the beach one can find wild elk roaming and resting in the sand in small groups.  Keep your distance as they are large and can be very dangerous.  Sometimes you will see them wandering the trails near the mouth of the canyon as well.  If you go down to the water, keep an eye out for seals and porpoises swimming and playing in the waves.  They are a joy to observe.  With any beach visit be cautious and aware as the ocean here can be dangerous.

After an hour or so at this beautiful location, I ventured off to my next camp site.  The campground I stay at in Fort Bragg is not a state park.  Wildwood Campground has been my stop the last 3 years and I enjoy the people there.  Some people are off put because it is a long term RV park, with some camp sites, but it is quiet, clean and well maintained.  The people running the place are kind and helpful if you need assistance.  The tent sites are located near hiking trails, have fire rings, picnic tables, water and restrooms near by.  To book you have to call and leave a message.  There is no online booking for this site.

Low tide at Glass Beach

I spent two nights here at this location, exploring Fort Bragg and mentally prepping myself for the return to the Bay Area.  Wednesday there was a farmers market I found with some amazing produce and products made by local artisans.    I visited Glass Beach to enjoy the water and a unique feature in this area.  The beach itself does not have a lot of glass on it due to years of people taking glass despite there being signs saying not to take the glass.  I also make a point to go to Cowlicks Ice Cream Parlor which has a super unique ice cream that is not found anywhere else.  Mushroom ice cream made with a local type of mushroom called a sugar cap.  The ice cream tastes like maple glaze West Coast Brewing company.  They have a Berliner Weisse I like to get which is the Cherry, however this time of year is when they run out.  More often than not I get the last glass off the last keg. If they are out of that the Passion-fruit Peach is also great.  Later in the year they have a Cranberry Quince version.  These are seasonal, so be aware.
like you would find on a doughnut.  If California does not have a lot of rain in the wet season, they can not harvest enough to make it.  This happened a couple years ago, but this year they had some!  Worth a stop to try it.  The last place I always stop at is

View from Camp Site #3 Orr Hot Springs

After the run around town I settled in for the night and got ready for my last destination.  Orr Hot Springs is a magical restful place where you can camp or rent a room.  I prefer to camp as the spots for camping are restful and quiet, not far from the springs and spots 1-3 have 8x8 foot platforms to set up your tent.  I suggest having a smaller tent for this (no bigger than a 3 person).  If your tent is larger site 4-6 can accommodate those, however they are not on platforms.  Besides the springs, the
site has hiking trails, live music on certain days, full kitchen to use, dining room and even culinary herbs in the garden to cook with.  To book you need to call and leave a voice message.  They will get back to you pretty quickly!  Be aware this is a clothing optional resort.  If you have no issue with nudity, this place can be fun.  Kids are welcome but they have rules that are posted on their pages.  No food can be purchased near by, so bring all that you need for food and drink.

The last night out was blissfully sweet.  I spent time in the sauna (200F), cold plunge pool, the medium temp pool (about 105F) and the star gazing tubs.  The smoke from the fires near Ukiah was not affecting the view, I was blessed to have been able to see the Milky Way and even a few meteors from the Perseid meteor shower which was towards the end of the window (July 17th - Aug 24th).  Mars was low on the horizon in the East and all was well with the world as I soaked in the beauty of the last evening out.

The trip back from the springs were uneventful.  I stopped at Anderson Valley Brewing Company to grab an assortment of cans to bring home.  This is one of the brewery I go to frequently when I am in the area.  I love that you can do a build your own 6 pack.  Lots of options in the tasting rooms and Brewery tours at 1:30pm (I arrived too late to do the tour the 5th time in a row).  I will make it eventually.

This concludes the three part download of my adventure camping for 2 weeks solo.  I learned that I am capable of doing this amount of camping solo and LOVING every moment of this.  I remembered how much I missed the quiet of nature and not having to interact with people.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy human connection, but we all need a moment for ourselves to recharge and find our center.  I recommend this kind of trip, maybe not as long, but a few days of solitude and self reliance can be really boosting to the heart and soul.

If you missed Part 1, you can find that Here
If you missed part 2, you can find that Here