I had a hankerin’ for mendo county and the headlands so i got up this morning, packed, and hit the road.
when i left arcata it was a chilly & foggy 58 degrees. within 90 minutes i was toodling south on hwy 101 and temps had reached 88. i caught hwy 1 to the coast in leggett.
this is a very narrow, twisty road. i would not advise you take this route if you’re in an RV of any kind, or if you suffer from dizzy spells, car sickness, or anxiety of any kind.
if you’re headed south you can just as easily take hwy 20 over to the coast from willits. it has fewer hairpin turns and is less liable to affect you if you suffer from motion sickness.
of course if you’re coming from the south, hwy 128 out of cloverdale is a dream. there are a few tight curves, but nothing compared to the aforementioned roads. the anderson valley is gorgeous, but you won’t lack scenery on any of these routes.
from arcata to fort bragg is a little over 3 hours.
as i wound my way up and over the coastal range, fog swirled around the tops of the pointy trees and narrow shafts of sunlight found their way to the dark forest floor. despite it’s challenges, the leggett-to-the-coast route is pure fairytale enchantment.
you’d think i’d post some photos of said route, but these are pics from humboldt county, mostly around trinidad and luffenholtz. if you drive this solo you won’t be taking any pics either!
i got an iphone 8 plus before i left for bavaria and it’s my main camera now. the big nikon didn’t go with me to europe this time. the camera is new and improved on the 8, but it does funny things to the colors at times. see that photo above of the window rock and you’ll see what i mean. that’s unaltered, straight out of the camera, and considerably zoomed in. the 8 zooms much better without losing as much clarity as the iphone 6. overall i’m pleased with it. convenience has won out over better glass.
when i finally got to the coast the temps had dropped nearly 30 degrees and a heavy fog blanket was draped over the coastal hills.
i pulled over and snapped a few pics.
no airbnb this time, i booked a room online last night. i went with a budget place off shoreline hwy in fort bragg.
imagine my surprise when i checked in and had this view (below) of a small cove from my balcony.
it’s peaceful and quiet. no highway noise at all, just the sound of the ocean.
as soon as i checked in i followed this path to a lovely little beach.
my room is spartan, but the bed is comfy and my view is outstanding.
earlier while i was waiting for check-in time i went for a walk on the mendocino headlands.
how nice to see so many summer wildflowers making an appearance. i was last here in december when the trails sparkled with silver frost. such a difference now.
there are showy grasses, lupines, wildflowers, poppies and drunken bees. such splendor!
it’s gotten dark while i’ve been typing this missive to you. there is fog and a humming ocean just outside the window. a book is calling me.
in a few short weeks i’ll be back in the classroom preparing for a brand new year so this is my last travel hurrah of summer. living it up while i can.
good night from the northern california coast. sleep tight.
oh, I am feeling another “grand tour of California” coming on. Except this time, lets just head straight to the headlands. I am so glad Marylinn pointed out that what I was hearing in your video was a FOGHORN!
This is my favorite part of the country. I wish it was closer. I recognize all of it as though it were a sort of home. This year we’re headed to the east coast instead. My fingers are itching to paint those beauties.
Wow, what beautiful, transporting images Mary Ann. I can always count on you for beauty and creative sparks.
carol carol carol…always love to hear from you xo
Heart-calming photos. I can feel the fog. Once upon a time I lived for five years on the beach in Oxnard, back in the 70s, and when we returned to Pasadena it took ages before I could fall asleep without the sound of the foghorn. In the one picture, it looks as though the trees had already begun to turn, surely not possible. I love the California coast, especially the territory you just covered. I hope there is cool and quiet to tide you over as you return to the classroom. My copy of “Watercolor Artist” arrived yesterday and I’m so glad I saw your post and got the magazine. xo
marylinn – those trees are actually conifers and green as can be, but the colors got washed out when i zoomed in. or something!
i do love this foggy cool country…
I had a weekend retreat down on the Potomac which filled my soul after all the downers – our local journalists murdered and then what is daily happening to our country. Cherish all the times until you’re back in the trenches in the classroom The world is heavy but how blessed those chicks are to have MAM as their teacher this coming year. Watch out chickees!! Great things ahead for you!
i find nature to be a balm for every ailment including the presidential variety.
96 here in WA. Had to do a art show with no air… just one fan. Would have loved some fog and ocean breeze. Love your photos and your narrative is always wonderful. When you retire you should write many books calling them “ Traveling With Ms Moss”. Yes you should!
oh sharon what a joy to hear from you. have you started blogging again?
96 is too hot for the PNW! i protest!
Unbelievable pics – and I love the narrative, that you decided, packed and left! Would you mind sharing the name of the place in Ft Bragg? We are headed down that way at the end of summer (from Canada)…
indeed i will when i get home! one can’t be too careful with cereal killers ya know! it’s ultra budget, but the view out my sliding door is of all green trees and the sound of the ocean is divine. ask for an “ocean view” king upstairs. the proprietors are a friendly family and best of all NO ONE is here.
I forgot all about serial killers!! Thanks for letting us ride along with you.
Wow, such beautiful scenery! I live in a beautiful place but yours is just…different.
What are those little green things in the first photo?
XO
anemones! they are soft as air and when they close they look like eyes. strange and beautiful.
Beautiful country! I hope you end up somewhere around there in retirement. Low 80s here in Montana but nights are low 50s.
i love cold nights and when i’m in LA i turn on my house fan to suck all the cool air inside. you have a marvelous climate up there in big sky country.
Good lord, what an abundance of spectacular scenery! We are parched, fried, broiled here in KC. Oh for some fog and 50s! And LoveLoveLove all those flowers! As always, thanks for sharing!
my pleasure judy! i do love KC .. haven’t been since dear mama moss died.
Gorgeous pictures. Thanks for sharing your adventures.
always emie… 👋