My Trip up the Pacific Coast Highway By Brian Wade

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My Trip up the Pacific Coast HighwayBy Brian
Wade
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Bittersweet Reason to Travel
The decision to travel up the picturesque Pacific
Coast Highway was made after a short Memorial Day
visit to Sonoma County in California. The
serenity and beauty of this visit led me to take
some time off from work and school to enjoy the
peace and quiet of camping along the California
coast. In addition, this would be the last time
I would be able to spend with my best friend
Justin, since his life was soon to end because he
was getting married next month.
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Planned Route

• Started in San Diego
• Traveled up Route 1 and 101
• Ended in Portland, Oregon
• Covered 1300 miles

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Day 1-Let the Debauchery Begin

• Dropped off at Newark Airport
• Boarded flight
• Arrived in San Diego
• Picked up by brother
• Spent day at San Onofre Beach
• Slept at brothers house

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Day 2-San Clemente to Morro Bay

• Picked up PCH after Los Angeles
• 1st stop was Santa Barbara Zoo
• Saw 575-foot Morro Rock
• Slept and eat in Morro Bay

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Day 3-Morro Bay to Big Sur

• Traveled up Route 1
• Scenery was amazing
• Hiked through Big Sur State Park
• Camped at the park

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Day 4-Big Sur to San Francisco

• 1st stop was Monterey
• Visited aquarium and 17-mile drive
• Shopped in Santa Cruz
• Partied and slept in San Francisco
• Miles traveled today-160

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Day 5-San Francisco to Eureka

• Crossed Golden Gate Bridge
• Toured Jordan Winery
• Drove through Sonoma County
• Camped at Humboldt State Park
• Traveled 300 miles

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Day 6-Eureka to Coos Bay

• Crossed border to Oregon
• Rented ATVs in Dunes National Monument
• Drank with locals in Charleston
• Camped in Bastendoff

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Day 7-Coos Bay to Portland

• Walked to Sunset Bay
• Stopped at the Sea Lion Caves
• Arrived at our destination, Portland
• Stayed with friends
• Final night bash

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Day 8-Portland to New Jersey

• Drove to airport
• Boarded flight at 800 am
• Deep sleep on flight
• Arrived home at 430 pm

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Reflection

• This trip provided me with much needed rest and
  relaxation, but more importantly it opened my
  eyes to the therapeutic aspects of nature. I can
  remember sitting quietly by the Big Sur River and
  just listening to the sounds of nature and
  reflecting on my past, present and future. That
  day allowed me to come to terms with the person I
  am today.

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Special Thanks

• My co-workers who helped me whip this together,
  Kelli and Mike
• Darrell, my boss, for understanding why I needed
  to spend valuable work time completing this
  assignment
• My family because you should always thank them

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Hang Loose
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Bibliography

• http//www.parks.ca.gov/
• http//www.prd.state.or.us/
• http//www.morro-bay.net
• http//www.orbitz.com
• http//www.mbayaq.org
• http//www.montereyinfo.org/
• http//www.sealioncaves.com