Day 2: The Long Way North

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.

We passed through Gilroy, the “garlic capital,” before making our way back onto I-5 near Stockton and then continuing north toward Sacramento. By the time I reached the city, I thought I might settle in for the night. But as I drove around, I felt underwhelmed. The downtown area didn’t call to me, and hotel prices were steep with limited options. Something in me just couldn’t commit.

Even though I was already tired, I got back on the road. Sometimes road trips test your endurance in ways you don’t expect. Another two and a half hours later, I rolled into Redding. And I’m so glad I did.

Here, I found a hotel tucked near the Sundial Bridge, surrounded by a touch of nature that instantly felt calming. Clean, comfortable, and affordable—the kind of place that feels like a small reward at the end of a long day. Walking Max around in the cool evening air by the river, I could finally breathe again.

It was a tough day of driving, but worth it. The road is already teaching me patience, flexibility, and that sometimes pushing through the fatigue gets you to a place that feels just right.