Mendocino, CA

We had one more love fest with the redwoods.  We drove south on the Avenue of the Giants and relished our last experience in the midst of these beautiful trees. We stopped for lunch at a state park and walked among them one more time.



We've learned a good bit about redwoods.  Those burned out trees on yesterday's blog
were called Goose Pen Trees by early settlers because they could shelter livestock there or use the space for storage.  Redwoods can grow from seeds in a sunny spot.  They also grow from a downed tree.  As the dead tree decays, it feeds the new growth.














We drove on the 101 for a while.  Then we exited to California Hwy. 1.  This took us up and down mountains for 20 miles. Just curves and switchbacks and no way to exit or stop except a gravel turn out.  It was slow going.  Finally, we came out into the sun and the ocean.  Hello, Pacific!



We had a beautiful and speedy drive the rest of the way to Mendocino.  We are staying at the Mendocino Hotel, circa 1878.  We expect Miss Kitty to come sashaying into the dining room at any minute.



We walked on the trail across the street above the ocean.  So much to see .  The tide was coming in.  The water was green and blue and purple.  Succulents grabbed the cliffs.





This scenery makes anyone feel like a great photographer.