Headed for the coast Plan C: - made it on third try.

 We had been camped at Sawtooth Canyon BLM campground south of Barstow, Ca for about a week.  It got really busy on the weekend with climbers, but emptied out somewhat on Monday.

(Watching a hockey game on the iPad at the campsite)

Because the weekend crowds would be gone, it was a good day to make the run back to Deep Creek hot springs in the San Bernardino National Forest.  This time, having figured out the lay of the land better, we avoided parking at the ranch, made a longer drive, but cut the hike by half to just over 20 minutes, from the usual 45.

It wasn't that hot, but Hailey seems to prefer to lay in the shade whenever she can.

(Another night-time moonlight shot out the window at the camp spot with the iPhone14)

It was time to leave, and start the long trip home for real finally.  The first leg took us up into Barstow to get fuel, then we headed west on 58, over Tehachapi pass and down towards Bakersfield.  To avoid the city, we turned off through Arvin, headed west caught a bit of the I-5 northbound, then back onto 58, headed for a little secluded roadside spot where we had overnighted before.  Heading up into the hills from McKittrick the rolling green hills were covered in flowers and green grass.  Another hour, and we would find our spot for the night with time to enjoy the scenery and bird life!

 

NOT!  With none of the usual 'construction ahead' or 'flagger' signs we came around the corner to find the road blocked with traffic cones!  There was a contract traffic guy there who informed me that the highway was closed because of mud slides and trees down on the road.  Thinking it might be a short wait, I asked when the road was expected to re-open.  'Friday?' was the reply!!  Then, I asked when it had closed, as there was no advance warning at all.  Well, it had been already closed for several days, but Cal-Trans had not bothered to put up any signage to prevent traffic heading down a dead-end road!

 

Plan B:  So, we had to back-track and head further north to try and find a route to the coast.  Of course, now it was necessary to fill up in the middle of nowhere for $6/gal diesel!    Our next attempt to reach the coast in the Cambria area took us west on 46 to and through Paso Robles.  This time - at least Cal-Trans had put up a flashing sign announcing that the coastal highway 1 was closed north of Ragged Point (our plan B overnight spot).   Plan C:  At least we didn't have to go down that dead-end route, but it was getting late in the day now.  Further north on the 101 we just found a quiet roadside spot near Bradley for the night.  A check online showed the coast road is not expected to re-open till December!

 

 On northward the next day through Salinas, Watsonville, and Santa Cruz, and finally the coast!

 We spent some time looking for a good scenic spot for the night.  Most of the pull-offs are 'signed', but some are not :-).

Finally settled in an un-signed, previously enjoyed spot we have overnighted before.

Down below I could see a flock of seals relaxing on the rocks during low tide, and a family of playful sea otters doing what sea otters do.

It was trying to rain the next day, so it was an easy decision to stay put and relax and enjoy the flowers and scenery a bit more.

Hailey kept busy monitoring the local mini-fauna.

She likes to do a bit of rock climbing too!

The next day was the run north through San Francisco.   Spotted this Waymo self-driving car passing me on the street, but I couldn't see if it had a driver or not. But on the top, and all corners of the vehicle there were little spinning sensors (?)  At first, I thought it might have been a new version of the Google Streetview cars?
No tolls on the Golden Gate bridge - northbound.


Then, we headed for the coast again at Bodega Bay, and found a nice overnight spot north of Jenner.  Hailey likes to live 'on the edge' - check out the video!

 

Law enforcement fly-by!(Watch full-screen!)