My Nomad Journey – Crescent City, California Coast

Continuing the journey with shorter posts. I promised in the last post I would write “destination by destination”, so here goes. It is now the first week of October, 2025 and I’ve left Southern Oregon to spontaneously explore and spend time on the far northern California coast. It is part adventure and part wanting to find someplace to stay and recover from Covid. I’m also spending time while figuring out the route I want to build to travel from here to Miami over the course of the month.

Here’s what I did:

I arrived in Crescent City and checked into my motel, which appears to have formerly been a Motel 6. The property is really well kept and the owners are very friendly. I set out to explore the town. What I like about this town is that it is directly on the ocean, with a small bay and marina that locals use for boating access. The town is small and remote. It sits on the bay and coast, giving easy access to 2 different water experiences – one sandy beach and the other rocky crags. The central town is laid out in grid fashion with homes and businesses placed among each other.

I was surprised that there wasn’t more development here, given the coastal location and the amazing natural resources around. Crescent City is sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and one of the many redwood forests that make up the northern part of the state along the coast. My assumption was that it is because the location is remote – it’s not easy to get to without driving through forests and many miles of 2-lane highway. The town also doesn’t have much industry or a major airport (it does have a small airport), so that may deter people. I was told by the locals that summertime is busy with tourists, however.

Meanwhile, I was able to enjoy the town during a quiet time. Almost no tourists and very quiet. The weather was starting to cool down, so I needed a jacket to go out exploring. I was able to explore the main park adjacent to the bay, the coastline, the town center, neighborhoods and a long pier – all on foot and all in that afternoon. I got lots of exercise that day (and each day that followed), which was good for my spirits and health… especially since I was still nursing the Covid bug.

I enjoyed spending time in Crescent City so much that I extended my stay to a full week. While also working (coaching clients, online workshops and other activities), I spent time each day getting out and walking along the water and exploring the town more. Laundromat, finding food and checking out the local stores (once I tested negative for Covid). I enjoyed watching the ground squirrels along the shoreline, running and hiding among the rocks and succulent ground cover. I walked along the rock and driftwood covered beach. I walked onto the promontory to explore the historic lighthouse that stands watch over the ocean. And I enjoyed walking to the end of the pier and just sitting and staring at the water and waves. From there, it was so easy to envision how amazingly large the planet is, the vastness of the Pacific Ocean and how small we really are in the universe. I slept well each night.

By the end of my stay, I was feeling better, feeling uplifted by the sheer possibility that the week made me feel and ready to get to Seattle and visit my friends. On the day of the drive, I enjoyed the 2 hours through the Redwoods back into Southern Oregon. I stopped in Grants Pass, OR to explore, grab a fast lunch and to get my oil changed. It’s pretty cool to think of all the places around the country I’ve gotten haircuts, washed my clothes, eaten and taken care of mundane chores like oil changes.

Here’s what I learned: I love the ocean and, specifically, the Pacific Ocean. I don’t know if it’s the Pisces in me or what, but I always feel more “in awe” and more connected to the earth along the northern California coast than most other coastlines I’ve visited. I feel a greater sense of belonging there that I just can’t explain. I was SO grateful for the opportunity to not only find a quiet place to recover from my illness, but that I was able to go to THIS place. I was grateful to find an affordable motel that I could rest in. I was grateful for the peace of mind that I had there. I was grateful for the ability to do my work from the road and the ability to spend so much time using my own 2 legs to walk around, explore and get exercise. AND… I was grateful that my level of expectations is such that I can enjoy the modest things that the town has to offer, without the pressure of “champagne tastes” or rigid requirements. I would say this is one of the things I’m really grateful for now – the fact that I’m old enough and traveled enough to no longer need fancy things. I can find enjoyment in low cost motels, simple walks through towns and meals that are simple and inexpensive. This is truly a gift and opens up so many more doors for me.

Here’s what’s next: I’m off to Seattle next! With my Coviid now gone and my friends in a better position to host, I’m off to visit Paul & Cindy. I haven’t seen them since last year and I’m looking forward to catching up. After that:

• Sacramento for some personal business
• Arizona to visit Shelly
• San Antonio to visit a bunch of friends
• and then Miami to house sit for Jennifer
• With stops along the way to break up long drives

As always, please interact with this post. I love getting your questions, your thoughts, and your comments. I’ll reply when I’m able.

Please enjoy yourselves in this week ahead and look for another update from me about the adventures of the journey. Be well my friends!

Want to hear other people’s stories about getting off their commas? Check out the podcast!

Are you sitting on a comma? Let’s talk! As an ICF certified professional Coach, I work with all kinds of people who are sitting on a comma and looking to find their next steps to get moving again. If this is you, let’s talk about your comma. Book a session and let’s get started. Or, if you’re not quite ready, you can book a short inquiry call and we can talk about it first. Both have high value for you!