After a long day of catching up with old friends and hiking, we settled down to our night's hotel - this time The Plaza Inn in Ashland, OR. It was a more typical travelers hotel - clean and easy - but only unique in it's convenient location: smack dab in the middle of adorable old town Ashland. From our hotel we could walk to dozens of fun shops and restaurants which is exactly what we did AFTER another delicious coffee. This breakfast was provided with a smile and good humor by Case coffee Roasters who had a mean Americano (with refils!!) and out of this world doughnuts and pastries. We didn't want to leave but did I mention our pent up desire to shop?
Grabbing coffee is so easy when I don't have to have anything in my hands. Thanks Meredith Pocket Belt in black denim!!
Too many cute shops to mention but this one required two visits: the Northwest Nature Shop had loads of fun things to explore and buy. Also great: Simply Ashland - a cute store with great household and jewelry items.
After a good tour of Ashland, we stocked up on supplies at the Ashland Food Coop and hit the road bound for Crescent City. Our friends knew of a great little hike along the way at Stout Grove. Upon arrival we saw small children in bathing suits running around the parking area and cursed ourselves for not coming more prepared. The water was ice cold but SO beautiful!
We wandered dwarfed by Redwoods through well trodden trails. The giant trees made our car look like a toy.
There isn't much to Crescent City except a couple good restaurants (Sea Quake Brewing and Good Harvest Cafe), a lighthouse and the stunning coastline filled with pockets of tide pools and driftwood.
After the unusual heat of the Pacific Northwest and Oregon, the northernmost tip of California felt downright freezing cold. We bundled against the wind completely unprepared for the climate shift so on this glorious morning the sun was readily welcomed old friend. There is nothing like a cool dry summer day with a vibrant sun to warm you. It was easy to navigate the tide pools and beach, even in a long skirt because, thanks to my Jacqui Pocket Belt in White Denim, I didn't have to carry anything in my hands. I saw a woman slip on the rocks with her phone in her hand - OUCH! Both she and phone ended up wet and bruised. Mine stayed safe in my back pockets with a little cushion of my tushie should I take a spill (which I thankfully did not).
It was so beautiful to catch up with old friends. I've missed them!!
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