Leaving Redding this morning, Ashley and I headed north with Max curled up in the back. The drive carried us past Mt. Shasta, its snow-capped peak towering against the sky. I couldn’t resist pulling over for a photo with Max—the mountain rising behind him, his ears alert as if he knew this was a moment worth remembering.

This morning, Max and I left Paso Robles at 8:30, feeling rested and ready for another day on the road. I had a plan—stick to a more direct route—but against my better judgment, I let curiosity win and took Highway 101. It added more time than I expected, and what I thought would be a manageable drive stretched into a nine-hour marathon.