West Coast Maddness Trip

If any of you are like me and had/have a job that allows you the time to read this beautiful forum on a daily basis you may find this interesting.
After a 6yr runner, I quit my job a on the 20th of Sept. In that 6yrs I have been traveling a solid 5 of it. I've hit every state, every Provence, all over Mexico, Caribbean and Central America. Mostly for work with lots of play in between. Loving almost every minute of it. I've always wanted to travel.
Not having a job and not sure what to do or where I go I decide to pack up the yota, the kayak and all the gear I can possibly stuff in the 4runner. I departed SJ, I believe, on the 25th of Sept. I was up around 4am and packed the last remaining valuables (rods, reels and electronics) and headed North. Crossing the GG bridge and heading West from Rohnert Park. I needed some sea air and some good scenery. As I got closer to the ocean the sun started to break and the smile started to et bigger. I had my sights on fishing the Cove. I have read a lot about y'all Fishin it and it has found a special spot in your hearts. Well, with reading that I had to give it a whirl. I drove up the 1 and had the temptation, sometimes stopping from a cruising speed of a little over 30mph (not to be in a hurry), to fish Stillwater Cove North and a few others. The ocean was calm and the sun was shinning and I decided to keep going. Not exactly sure why to be honest. I have a bad case of the Maddness. An addiction if you will but I harnessed that energy and kept moving North. I stopped in Ft Bragg and had a few pints of the brew. Can't remember the name but it would later create one eye to droop just enough to see straight. Stage 5 (possible name of the brew). After a couple rips of some kind and a couple smokes I was back on the road. Continuing up hwy 1 I passed Westport... Wait. I forgot about a detour. Please forgive me for this May happen a few times. I took a detour up the Guala River. This river setting amongst the redwoods, crystal clear water and deep pools filled with fish was a sight to see. I wasn't sure if the river was open so but I had to get closer. I drive up to the edge of this trail that led down to the rivers edge and judged the trail as a "not so much". However I was to close to the trails edge and I was committed. Locking the rig into 4 low I creeped down the trail. The articulation on the runner is alright but not as good as I would like. Tires off the ground about a foot and a half and the heart starts to pound. Saying a little prayer to the travel gods "please don't let this be the end of my trip". Down to the bottom of the river bed. Snaking around a trail of soft river rock I wanted a route out. The river now isn't that important. I can always hike back down right? Ya. So the only trail out was a gnarly washout one. It took four attempts and some cuss words swearing that this rig will have swampers before I ever take a trip like this again. Love me some radial dealers all siped up. Anyways. I got out. Walked around the rig to make sure the everything was still attached and straightened/tightened up the straps on the kayak and decided to roll. That's when I decided to have my traditional beer or three in Ft Bragg.
North of Ft Bragg there is a ranch I normally stay at. The cabin is one of a kind. It sits above the ranch and hidden in the cypress with a view of the ocean that will make you never want to leave. An outdoor kitchen that would make Anthony Bourdain drink a bottle too and an outdoor shower that runs the hottest water that peel the skin of your you know what. The ranch is called Howard Creek Ranch. B&B and one not to be missed. The garden is incredible. Enough about the advertisement. So up the one I go. Needing to relieve myself I pull over about half way up the windy hwy 1 North of Westport. As soon as I pull over I see a about a 150lb black bear beat feet right in front of the rig and up the hillside. Tried to grab the camera to snap a pic but she was off like greased lightening. I'm really starting to enjoy my trip at this point. Hydrating and continuing on I hit hwy 101. Continuing North.. Believe it or not. The suns is dipping behind the beautiful redwoods and I'm feeling like its time to find a camp spot. I see a couple but one that grabs my attention is Richardson State Park. I pull in and pay the crazy $35 bucks to camp and another $16 for some crappy firewood. Cha Ching! Ugh  not having a mattress or sleeping bag due to loaning things out over the years I set up the tent and camp it. Cracking a cold one and making a cheeseburger on the cast iron and some ranch beans. Living the dream right? Well it gets better.
That night I sleep so so but decide its time to drop some coin and pick up and bag and a mattress. Through Piercey and into Garberville I go. Topping off the tank and hitting up Browns Sporting goods for necessary items. One Alps canvas bag, one queen size air mattress and two bottles of propane.. $167. Ouch. Needed to be done. The itch to camp off the grid and not in a state park is what I want in my future. I take the windy road down to Shelter Cove.
I stop along the way and whip out one of the two Eastwing's I brought and whack down a couple dead trees and set myself up for a cheaper nights rest by a free fire. Knowing that the RV park/Campground is where is where I want to be I pull in. Mind you the cove is freakin gorgeous and something everyone should experience. I walk into the restaurant and first thing first. Shrimp cocktail. Holy crap good. They ran out so I got a half a cup for free. Here to good luck! Got some directions to Curtis's office and got a spot. Probably the Ahulls spot considering its in the corner and upwind from the entire camp lol. Golden, I'm thinkin to myself. There were two other rigs there but I was the only tent. Curtis came by and enjoyed a long conversation about our pasts. Good man that guy is. Stop in and say hello.
I blew up the mattress, cracked a cold one, burned a fatty and made supper. Slept like a baby. The combo that I have setup right now for camping is one to make a king feel jealous.
I set the alarm the night before for 5am. Wanting to launch the kayak and hit the cove. I didn't read the regs and realized the next morning that RF And lingcod is closed on the Mendo coast. Salmon and Butts it is. However I didn't bring and pink ladies or deep Sixs. Okay then.. Butts it is. No luck unfortunately. I didn't have stinky bait. Caught the biggest black I've ever caught in Cali but released it due to the season. I paddled around for about 5 hrs.  Riding some swells and soaking up the sun. Feeling the energy bouncing off the canyon walls. I admit. I love that place. Unfortunately my phone is dying folks and I'm playing the roll of ranch and today in Central Oregon. I will post some pics and lots more to come.

Line spaces between paragraphs would make reading much easier on the eye(s).

Livin' the dream man, livin' the dream..

Fan-friggen-tastic! The adventure AND the way in which you present it.
Thank you!

Thanks for reporting!  Looking forward to more updates!


Josh

Ok I am quitting my job.....

So much fun to read this. Keep it coming!
Beers get better the farther north you go, be careful

are you kidding me? that's what im talkin bout.  . some day, some day.. I am jealous and at the same time, super stoked for you Bro !!!!! Keep us posted and wishing u a safe journey !!

+1 what everybody else said!!! Be safe, have a blast, and post!!!

Today I'm writing from Bend Or. Home of the Deschuttes Brewery. Little parched and I'll get to that later.
So waking up the next morning in the Cove to a beautiful sunny morning. As i packed up I was greeted by a friendly doe that got pretty close.
I had to drive down to launch one more time before I hit the road. Talked with a gentleman that was from back East. Said that he came across the Kings Range and it was nothing but a single car dirt road. I'm thinking to myself that's exactly where I belong. I pulled up my map on my phone and decided that's the route I want to take. I turned up the music and started on my way. Switchback after switchback and since I hadn't seen a car since I left the cove I decide its time to crack a cold one.
I got to the campground up on the range. The thought crossed my mind that I should pitch a tent there and soak it up a bit more. The weather was warm and I was sportin shorts a tee shirt and flops if I had to get out. If I had a mountain bike with me I would've ripped around on the trail system that runs the ridges up there. Looks like some incredible riding.
I pulled out of the campground on top of the range and started back down the road again. About 45 mins later I pass a guy on a mt bike. He's chuggin along with a trailer attached. I was kind of shocked to see that guy way the hell up there with nothing but a bike and a few belongings. I must've missed the turn because I got to the end if the road and with spotty reception I could barely find where I was on the map. I turned back and kicked it up a notch for the fact I wanted to get of that mountain. Btw I was running a little dry on the suds at this point. I dug in my bag to find a little mini travel jäger bottle that I had kept with me for I've a year. I suppose the music was good and the multiple rolls of Norwegian Shag needed company. So I cracked the bottle open and started nippin off it like grandpas old cough medicine. Found the Wilder Ridge Road that I had missed earlier and switched back on it for what would be the remainder of my Kings Range trip. About a half mile in I saw the guy with the mountain bike and trailer. I had to pull over again and find out what's his deal bein all the way up there. He's German. I speak very little German. I'm thinking to myself this should be fun. He said he was trying to get to the Mattole River campground. I kinda laughed and said man your not gonna make it tonight unless you get a ride. He said ya he was going to wave someone down and catch a ride. I continued to laugh and said Man I haven't seen anyone but you for the last three hours. Let's load your shit up and I'll get ya down there. I'm heard that way. So loaded up his bike and his dry bag up on top of the kayak. Stuffed the trailer and sidebags in the back of the already completely stuffed rig. Strapped everything down and grabbed another cold one. We get to talking about his travels and where he's been. I seem like a child about 15 mind into our broken conversation. This guys been everywhere. He just came back from Morocco, Spain and India. He's trekkin around the world with his bike and fishing. We hit it off and talked fishing for an hour down the mountain. I remembered I had a half a mini bottle of jäger left so I offered it up however most Germans don't like jäger. That was fine with me cause deep down I didn't really want to share anyways. Ha!
Smoking is bad.
We hit pavement and beat feet to Petrolia. Knowing this guys got to get somewhere before I really do, I drop him in town and unload all of his stuff. I had brought some frozen RF and ling with me and I couldn't pass up sharing with a fellow fisherman. He didn't have away to keep things on ice but when I saw his eyes light up I couldn't resist but to let him take it. I'm sure he broke out the stove along the river and cooked it up ASAP. I also gave him some Cali Kind I had rolled up. The guy was very very thankful. After a brief conversation about how his bike got a little tarnished from the waves hitting inside a cave he was camped in in Morocco I was on my way again. Traveling NW on the 211 Mattole Rd I came to the ocean front again. Man what a blessed day I was having. From the top of the Kings Range crossing streams to the ocean front again. Really Ya can't bet that.
It was getting a little late knowing I didn't have a plan nor really needing one I did want to keep truckin. So up the 211 I go and eventually pulling over to eat some awesome aged white cheddar and bake ritz. Again opening what I believe was my last road soda and filling up my water bottle to hydrate. 
I wind up the road to Ferndale and pop into Loleta and get some reception on the phone. I make a couple calls and answer some texts and realize I now need to make it to Medford. Yup. Medford Oregon. I think it was Friday at this point. My buddy that worked for Blackwater for quite a few years is having a birthday AND that weekend just happened to be Oktoberfest. I'm thinking to myself oh yeah it's on. Btw I tried to hit up the one guy I know lives in Loleta (LoletaEric) but he had mentioned he had mentioned he was going to be out of town. Bummer man next time and you live in an incredibly beautiful area. Love that place. That evening I'm in route to Medford where I would get in late and set up camp even later in the Applegate.
I've got to do laundry before I get moving again Tbc..

Oh hell yes!  Great stuff, LR.  Yeah, last week at this time I was gearing up and headed to Sac by noon - next time though, Buddy!

Looking forward to the next chapter.  Be careful out there, Bro.   

From the picture of the beer and the counter in the first set, I think you may have stopped at the foot of Redwood Street in Fort Bragg - at a great little place called Piaci Pub and Pizza, Home of the Adult Pizza.

Dude, you are living the dream. Thanks for sharing it and keep them coming and be safe
 
Freddie

This is badass!  I wish I can do this someday.  Absolutely enjoying every bit of this read. 

Thanks for sharing with us LipRipper and please keep the updates coming.  Smoke on brotha!