The Smokies from near Taig an Drama Day 5 - Gold Beach to Fort Bragg
October 23, 2019
Wednesday evening, Fort Bragg, CA

Yes, it says CA! We left Gold Beach, OR, with sunshine and blue skies. Crossing into CA we continued to be favored with near perfect weather. However, as US101 veered west from the coast, the scenery, while new, was not as photo-worthy. Eventually we hit the Pacific Coastal Range and climbed into one of North Cali's natural treasures - the towering redwoods. Two hundred miles into Cali, we finally left the 101 for California State Route 1, or CA1. This would take us from Leggett, CA, to the border of Mexico. And we plan to travel every inch of it!

As we left Gold Beach, we were greeted by this early morning misty scene. Yes, Virginia, they sell WEED in OR. This was our last chance to score some ganja before leaving the Beaver State behind …And so we took leave of Oregon sans ganja. US101 has the nickname of the Redwood Highway on its journey through Cali. Here you can see one of the mighty specimens. Makes me look at least 10 lbs lighter! (This is reminiscent of standing next to the ancient Yew tree in Ashton Court in England. To see that picture, <a href='page273.html' target='_blank'>click here</a>.) Our wild Mustang amongst the redwoods. Yes, it got on up into the 70s and we kept the top down the rest of the day. US101 followed the South Fork of the Eel River. This view of the Eel River Valley shows the nearly dry river bed. The trees on the mountain slopes are all giant redwood. From time to time we would pass these roadside shops nestled into the redwoods. More wet rocks along the CA1. It appears to have become the custom to leave odd trinkets and doodads at interesting locations as a kind of a shrine. At this pull-<wbr>off over-<wbr>looking the Pacific, you can see, among other things, stuffed animals, sea shells, a water bottle and a cross with a plastic figure on it. I think the little circle of clay people holding hands adds a nice touch. A long stretch of wild coastline shot from the moving car by holding my camera above the windshield. Sea oats grow everywhere along the roadway and dunes and even on the steep hillside. A long stretch of beach broken up with a spit of land. If you look closely, there is a house on the spit in the trees. Here CA1 is lined with eucalyptus trees in a tunnel reminiscent of the Dark Hedges in Northern Ireland. Unfortunately, I actually missed the best shot of this. Then again, it brings back memories of the old “Time Tunnel” TV show. (Again I shot this while the car was moving. I think that is considered distracted driving. So is eating an Egg McMuffin while driving.) A panoramic sunset from Todds Point at the end of our day's journey in Fort Bragg.
To Day 6