We saw this unusual scene while crossing the Eel River on the way to Ferndale.
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| This SUV was moving when we first saw it, then the front-end sunk deeper. Ferndale is an 1852 town that grew rich from creameries and enjoyed a boom in Victorian houses. It's an attractive, small town full of Victorian-style homes and businesses. The community has obviously committed to care of their properties. Most were very well maintained. Here are some examples. |
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| Main street, downtown |
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| One of many on the main street |
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| The Shaw House, built in 1852 |
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| The Gingerbread Mansion is one block off the main street |
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| This one is on a corner opposite The Gingerbread Mansion |
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| Downtown Hotel |
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| Fancy sign to very small places |
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| Moss-covered trees as we zigzagged out of town |
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| Forested valleys and grassy hills as we approach Wildcat Ridge |
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| View of the road as we approach Capetown (Note the curves and switch-back) |
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| We passed many bike riders (We think they were in some kind of club outing) |
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| The red structure below is a ranch in Capetown. (It was a former stage stop) |
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| We finally drop down to Cape Mendocino. |
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| Cape Mendocino shoreline |
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| Cape Mendocino shoreline |
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| Cape Mendocino - looking south |
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| Cape Mendocino - looking north The Lost Coast route went through Petrolia and entered the Humboldt Redwoods State Park (after a lot of sharp turns, climbs and descents). The road passed through groves of huge redwoods. The views were remarkable. |
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| Humboldt Redwoods State Park |
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| Humboldt Redwoods State Park |
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| Humboldt Redwoods State Park |
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| This is the only way to see the tree tops |
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| They cut huge path "doorways" through fallen trees |
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| The Rockefeller Redwood Forest is part of the Humboldt Redwoods State Park. |
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| Carol at the Flat Iron Tree (Fell in 1995, oval circumference is 17.5' x 7.5') |
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| Carol at the Giant Tree |
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| Arched trunk on Avenue of the Giants |
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| Avenue of the Giants stretches for 31 miles This was a delightful day filled with new sights. Driving the Lost Coast route was tiring. It's a good thing we didn't try it with the trailer attached. We had clouds, fog, rain and sun ... and each appeared or disappeared when needed. We had dinner at the Eel River Brewery Company. Their taco salad is great! Carol met a young man who was riding a bicycle from Seattle to Miami while she was doing laundry. He's been on the road for nearly 3 weeks and expects to get to Miami by February. Map Tracks None for today. |
The picture you show of Cape Mendocino - looking south is wonderful. Very artsy!
ReplyDeleteYou'll just have to come/go back to this part of the country when the skies are clearer. Quite the knockout!
Many years ago (20?), Dorothy and I went with some friends to do this coastal drive through Oregon. The book we were using described the bike trail along the coast (that most of the time was on the highway)! Of course, the trail goes from the north to the south (it's downhill that way ... :-) ), and we were going north. So we had to read the book backwards. None-the-less, a much less strenuous trip than the guy you met doing the diagonal across the country!
Hi! I think I know 2 of those bikers you passed on 101. There was a ride to raise funds for Arthritis that went from Seaside (there abouts) to San Francisco - over the course of 9 days. Two parishoners of ours were riding in it. The timing was right, so I wouldn't be surprised. Did you say hi to Kathy and Denise? :)
ReplyDeleteCall me sometime! :) Love you,E