We set out early for the Lost Coast, as early as it gets for this crew, and headed to the village of Ferndale for breakfast at Poppa Joe's, which happened to deliver the best potatoes I've ever tasted (and locals gambling in the back of the restaurant after scarfing down waffles).
The Lost Coast of California has been a small obsession of mine ever since I heard of it's existence and Mattole Road gets you about as close as you can get to the heart of what the Lost Coast is about. It's a determined and steep and bumpy route that slices right through the territory, from the tiny villages and farms that inhabit this region, to the elevation changes and shifting weather and surreal landscape, and finally, to the Pacific Ocean, which has never felt so untamed and wild as it does out here, where footprints and paths and parking are no where to be found.
You can imagine my excitement as we left Ferndale, the start of Mattole Road, and headed into the heavy fog that enveloped the first several miles of our trip.
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
By the time we reached the Pacific, the fog was clearing and blue skies emerged.
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
Stay tuned for more pictures to come, including our five days in Humboldt County and four days drifting around Southern Oregon. And thanks for all the nice comments! :)
The Lost Coast of California has been a small obsession of mine ever since I heard of it's existence and Mattole Road gets you about as close as you can get to the heart of what the Lost Coast is about. It's a determined and steep and bumpy route that slices right through the territory, from the tiny villages and farms that inhabit this region, to the elevation changes and shifting weather and surreal landscape, and finally, to the Pacific Ocean, which has never felt so untamed and wild as it does out here, where footprints and paths and parking are no where to be found.
You can imagine my excitement as we left Ferndale, the start of Mattole Road, and headed into the heavy fog that enveloped the first several miles of our trip.
By the time we reached the Pacific, the fog was clearing and blue skies emerged.
The stretch of road that runs along the Pacific features a vast collection of wildflowers and rolling sand dunes and enough driftwood to burn for months. We parked off the road and found ourselves alone on a beach that ran on forever without another person around. Stella and I spent most of our exploration catching snails and putting them into little "swimming pools!" that we created.
In all the time we spent exploring this particular stretch of road along the water, we passed one other vehicle (and it was a Saturday, in the middle of summer). This place really does feel lost.
Stay tuned for more pictures to come, including our five days in Humboldt County and four days drifting around Southern Oregon. And thanks for all the nice comments! :)