Looking Back - 4/16/2022 Portola Redwoods SP CA to Cerro Alto Campground CA

Cerro Alto Campground, CA

Road Trip Portola Redwoods State Park CA to Cerro Alto Campground CA

Wet but determined to have fun

We woke up to wet conditions at Portola Redwoods.  It had rained all night and everting was wet except our bins so that was a win!  The time we had spent drying out the Gazelle Gazebo was for not.  Thankfully we are heading to a dryer place.

I made coffee while Donna sorted the bedding in the van.  The goal was to drink coffee, pack up, and get out and that is just what we did.

The morning coffee

Our bin situation was great

It looks less wet than it was

Our drive started out again on the twisty narrow road heading out of the park.  We met some maniac going like 40mpg coming at us and luckily we were in a place that was just 2 cars wide.  He just barely squeezed by us probably not thinking about what would have happened if we had met where the road was narrow, just before a turn.  I thought about that for a long while.  It could have put a damper on our trip and I am not sure how you would prove that you weren't in the wrong or that it wasn't equal fault.  

Once we hit civilization, we got gas and made our way to a Safeway to get some staples and 2 doughnuts because we deserved a doughnut.  

Today's Drive

We didn't need to rush the drive because we weren't doing a long day so Donna looked for another place to stop and pick up beer.  We chose Promised Land Brewing in Old Town Gilroy (the garlic place).

The Entrance

Brewing onsite

A cool mural in the brewing room

We cut in at Atascadero CA and headed to the Cerro Alto Campground in Los Padres National Forest.  We drove in and found our campsite #8.  I mention this because it's the best site there.  It's off by itself and the parking pad is level and there is a giant Oak Tree providing shade.

See!  Nice hu?

After setting up we walked the campsite loop and confirmed that our site was THE BEST.  The loop at the end had groups packed in with little privacy.  My extensive research contributed to the good choice and there was probably some luck involved too.  There are a few tools you can use to look at sites before getting there but not all sites are documented well.  

On our walk we saw a lot of birds, an alligator lizard, and an endemic (only seen in this small area) California Newt.

I got better...

This guy was about a foot long with their tail

The rest of the day consisted of having Happy Hour, prepping dinner, sitting in camp chairs watching birds, and going to bed.  It was pretty perfect.  

This is our amazing back yard for the next 2 days

Trying out a beer we picked up

Francis enjoying the dry warm weather

It really is the best site

How we all fit in The Van

It's a great site.  I am glad we are here for 2 days.  It will be nice to relax in the warm central California sun.

Looking Back - 4/15/2022 MacKerricher SP CA to Portola Redwoods SP CA

  Road Trip MacKerricher State Park CA to Portola Redwoods State Park CA

This morning we woke up refreshed again.  It will still dry so everything was in good shape.  I made coffee and we ate the last of our Raisin Bran.

Yep we do this every morning and I take a photo every morning

After breakfast we packed up and hit the road.  The drive was predicted to be 6 hours so we didn't want to dilly dally.  We had a somewhat twisty drive back to US 101 but then it was smooth sailing.  Donna suggested that we stop by Russian River Brewing Company to pick up some to go beer.  That sounded like a great idea so she started looking at directions.  While looking she asked about Henhouse Brewing and I said we should go there instead.  It was close to the freeway, they have great beers, and we had never been there before.  

Their outdoor singe isn't very impressive

They only had beer to go until 4pm.  There are only
enough parking spaces for the brewing staff
so they open parking up to onsite visitors after the staff leaves.

Cool art on the walls

And more cool art

We grabbed a 4 pack of Camden Eclipse Double IPA and got back on the road.  Our rout took us over The Golden Gate Bridge and through San Francisco,  We have 10 years of history in SF so it brought back great memories and we whished we had time to stop.

San Francisco, open your Golden Gate...

After passing through SF, the drive took us to Sand Hill Road where we exited the freeway.  If we had made a left we could have gone to Stanford University and then swung by Redpoint Ventures gotten some venture capital investment for this blog, but we made a right instead and passed through giant estates just outside of Silicon Valley on our way to Portola Redwoods State Park.

The road leading into Portola Redwoods State Park is very narrow and twisty.  The speed limit is 15 miles an hour and in some points there is only enough room for 1 car to get by.  The turns were blind at points so we were glad we didn't run into any other cars and we were also glad it wasn't raining.  

We got to the park and checked in.  We headed to our campsite and it turns out the parking pad was very unlevel.  It had a steep grade and was slanted to the left.  This wasn't going to work for us because we sleep in the van so we walked back and asked for another site.  We had 2 in mind and one of those 2 was available so we swapped.  

The sun was out at Portola Redwoods

After setting up camp we went on to Step 2.  

Step 2 of camping setup

Using Redwood Trees as power line poles

Trillium!  Sadly no flowers

We made Shanghai Rice Cake Sir Fry with Greens for dinner.  It's a seriously awesome and easy meal for camping.  

Donna testing the rice cakes for doneness 

After dinner we settled in and then went to bed pretty early.  When we are camping we tend to get up with the sun and go to bed with the sun.  We get a lot of sleep this time of year.  

Bonus Content!  (aren't you lucky)

Portola Redwood State Park is a prime nesting site for the Marbled Murrelet.  They nest in the tops of tall Redwood Trees and then spend most of their lives in and on the ocean.  They are in major decline due to habitat loss and predation.  They only lay 1 egg a year and the eggs are susceptible to predation by Ravens and Stellar's Jays.  The park asks that you leave no food scraps and be very careful to not leave anything around that will attract those birds to the area.  When you get to the ranger station they walk you through what needs to happen and make you sign paperwork saying you will obey the rules.  I hope it makes a difference and the Murrelets make a comeback.

Learn a bit more here 

More Rain - On The Road Quick Update

Portola Redwoods State Park, CA

Just a quick mobile update to say all is well. We are getting more rain but we can deal with that. I will give more detailed updates when we get to LA and have free internet. 

We spent the night at Portola Redwoods State Park 

Rain can't keep us down!