I have borrowed Bilbo Baggins title of his book of adventures in the classic book The Hobbit, for this post. I think it is a great title for a book of adventures. Which is just what we recently returned from. We being my husband, Bill, our daughter, Helen, her husband, Jon, and their little five month old baby boy, Francis.

Our adventure was not across the worlds but was across our country. We spend 9 terrific days on a 725-mile road trip in Northern California. The main reason for the trip was threefold; for Bill and me to meet Jon’s family, and for them to meet their only great-grandson for the first time and to see the Redwoods. Jon grew up in California. He knows the area well, and he planned the whole exciting road trip. There were places he wanted us to see. This is my most favorite kind of travel. All the plans are made, routes are figured out, wonderful old hotels were awaiting our arrivals. What a grand road trip he gave us!

I have never been to California, everyone else, except baby Francis, has. So it all was a thrilling first for me. We landed in San Fransisco. Rented a big SUV, the smallest person had the most stuff! First stop on Jon’s agenda; burger and fries at the In n’ Out Burger restaurant. Oh my goodness, wish we had them here. Crossing over the Golden Gate Bridge was surreal for me, as I have only seen it in photographs. We toured around on the park side of the bridge, picked up Rt 101N. We bid the big city farewell as our sights were set on the ‘Lost Coast’, the name given to N California.

Jon’s grandparents live in a wonderful cabin home in a tiny town called Hayfork, CA. Next door Jon’s great-Aunt Shirley has a cozy cabin as well. Other family members flew in. We were there for Easter. Words are not able to explain how special it was meeting these delightful extended family folk. Spending Easter with them made it doubly special.

Two beautiful towns, Hopland, where the old Thatcher Hotel gave us a warm welcome and overnight stay. Next was the historic, logging company town of Scotia, where we lodged for two fun nights at the Scotia Lodge. Spending two exciting days among the Avenue of the Giants. Those incredible Coastal Redwoods are beyond description. Living testimonies of a great and mighty God.

Rt. 36, off Rt 101 carried us East to Rt. 3 where we met Jon’s lovely family. They were thrilled at meeting their only great-grandson, Francis. The air B ‘n B, Ivan’s Lookout, near Weaverville accommodated us perfectly for the three nights there.

Jon completed our circuit by driving through the absolutely gorgeous, fertile Sonoma Valley. California raisins and almonds will never taste the same to me. The land was gorgeous, the wine country stunning, the people friendly, and now I know where the dinosaurs and BigFoot live—in the Coastal Redwoods!