I Wanna Get Back To My City By the Bay

Yesterday, Mom, Dad and I made our annual day-after-Thanksgiving trip to San Francisco. We had a lovely day, visiting some of the tourist spots and having lunch at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

Getting there is half the fun. I took some pictures from the car of a weather front that was coming through. We drove out of the clouds and rain into the sunshine.




I got some pictures of lovely California, and the fall colors throughout.






After crossing the Carquinez Bridge, we were officially in the Bay Area.





We approached the Bay Bridge and laughed at the ugly red car nearby. We expected 15 clowns to hop out at any time!






Fortunately, getting across the bridge was easy (no major traffic) and soon we were in the city. I took a bunch of pictures while we crossed the bridge, and as we drove the city streets towards the Embarcadero.










Lunch at Bubba Gump's is always fun, and Pier 39 always provides some great pictures (later, I'll post on my LPB a picture of the Snoopy t-shirt Mom bought me that says "I Love Nerds." It is AWESOME!).







We took an old streetcar down to the Ferry Building.








The first thing I saw was this sign, which made my Gump-burger threaten to come back up.



I took some random pictures inside and outside of the ferry building.







We went to Cost Plus after this, then headed home. The rest of the shots in this post are some random architecutre shots of the city. I love how it melds Victorian, modern, and everything in between. It's a unique and beautiful city.

Wine Country

I met Summer, my intrepid fellow day-tripper, today in Fairfield, and from there, we drove into the heart of California's Wine Country.

We started by driving to beautiful St. Helena. I blogged about this lovely little town in July, but today, I got some gorgeous fall pictures. The trees are spectacular, as are the vines.


We stopped in at St. Helena Olive Oil Company to taste some oils and vinegars. I came very close to buying a $12 bottle of butternut squash pasta sauce, but sanity prevailed. I tried a sample, and it was marvelous.





The free trade store is always a fun stop.





Some other sights around St. Helena:






Of course, we had to stop at Woodhouse for some chocolate.



We drove to Napa to have a lovely lunch at Buckhorn, then on to Sonoma. Along the way I took some pictures. Not bad for photography in motion!












Sonoma is a lovely town. We walked around the entire (large) square, poking into shops and marveling at the amount of ice cream places.







As we approached Mission Francisco Solano, Yours Truly, a Northern California girl, mentioned that I'd never been to a mission before. Summer, the Southern California girl, was amazed and slightly appalled, so in we went.










Next, it was simply imperative that we look into the Sonoma Cheese Factory. We didn't sample anything, but we did enjoy looking around.









We continued walking around town, peeking in windows and stopping so I could take pictures.












Despite its "NO DOGS ALLOWED" attitude, the park in the middle of the square did have a lovely fountain and some great views of the surrounding buildings.







On the way back to the car, we passed the Dog Bakery and stopped to "Who's-a-cute-doggy?-YOU'RE-a-cute-doggy!" at the store's "guard" dog.


It was getting later in the day, and I wanted to be off of Highway 12 before dark (the quickest way back to Stockton), so we drove back to my car and got on the road. It was a lovey day out, and, as ever, I'm glad to share a day trip with Summer.

Go East, Young Woman

This morning, I woke up early again. By 8:00, I had checked out of the hotel and was driving south on Highway 1 towards Mendocino for one last look around. I stopped along the way in a tiny town called Caspar, where I found a ruined old house. There were no "No Trespassing" signs, so I went inside to look around. It was sad, and just a little bit creepy.









I drove through the town of Mendocino, taking pictures here and there.






I stopped along Highway 20 to stretch and take some tree pictures.





I stopped in the small town of Lucerne, CA, which advertises itself as "Switzerland in California." The one Alpine-style building I saw was a Thai restaurant. But it did have some nice views of Clear Lake.






After that, I spent another couple of hours on the road, stopping for Burger King and a bathroom, and sliding into Mom and Dad's driveway at about 2:00.

It was a fun trip (despite my big fall-down-go-boom episode), and I'm glad I got to see more of my beautiful state. California, for all its problems, is a gorgeous place to live.

Back to Fort Bragg

Note: In no way do I want to downplay how serious yesterday's tsunami was. I know that it was devestating and tragic in Samoa--however, at the time this happened, I had been away from TVs, radios and the Internet all day and did not realize how serious it was. I am NOT joking about the impact of the tsunami--rather telling the rather humorous story of what happened on my end of it. If you are easily offended, please skip this post.

After my misadventure at the Drive-Through Tree, I decided I'd be safer in Fort Bragg. I stopped once on the way back into town to admire the view, and marvel at the "sea breeze." (Put in quotes because it was more of a gale. A COLD gale.)




I wasn't ready to hole up in my hotel room (it was about the size of a shoebox--that's what you get for $44 a night--so I wandered around town some more, taking pictures.







Fort Bragg and much of Mendocino County is home to a lot of artists. Apparently, a saxophone clad in a tie is considered art.


I had Mexican food for dinner, and a good, stiff margarita.


Then I went back to my hotel, briefly, and took pictures of the diminutive size (hey, I'm on a budget here) and the world's ugliest lamp.



I went to the beach again, but stayed up on the bluffs. I took some more cheesy self-portraits to pass the time until sunset.











As I walked back to my car, a ranger came up in his truck and got out. He walked over to a sign by the Pudding Creek Trestle and started taping up a notice.

He was kind of cute, so I sidled up to him and asked, "Anything I need to know?"

"There's a tsunami coming in."

"NO WAY!"

Turns out, the tsunami that hit American Samoa yesterday actually made it all the way to the California and Oregon coasts. Of course, by the time it reached us, it was only a couple of feet high, but the park was advising that everyone stay off the beach and out of the water. It was also advised to stay out of the harbors.



Pretty crazy.

I smiled and said, "A year ago I was in Yosemite during my fall break, and there were two rock slides. This year, I'm on the coast, and there's a tsunami. I need to stop traveling in September."

He laughed, and then went on his way. I got in my car and called Mom and Dad.

"Okay, don't worry, but there's a tsunami coming in!"

"We saw it on the news."

I was talking to Mom, telling her how the ranger had told me that the more-violent-than-usual waves I'd noticed during the day were the result of a storm in the north Pacific, when I realized she wasn't really listening to me.

"Are you laughing at me?!"

"I'm sorry hon...yes." *snicker*

"Are you implying that I'm a magnet for disaster or something?" (They already knew of my great fall at the Drive-Through Tree.)

*giggle* "Yes!"

"Oh, gee, thanks a lot, Mom."

I figured my best bet was to lock myself in my hotel room for the night, so back I went to the Travel Lodge. By the time the tsunami hit Fort Bragg's shores, I was showered, pajama'd and tucked into bed watching the Ken Burns National Parks documentary on PBS.

Falling For the Hokey Tourist Traps

I'm a sucker for tourist traps.

Well, sometimes. I'll bypass the Ripley's Believe It Or Not! museums and mini-golf extravaganzas, but when I'm driving Highway 101 through the magnificent redwoods of northern California, you'd better believe I'll stop at the Chainsaw Carvings store, the Grandfather Tree, and the Drive-Through Tree.

You could even say I fell for it.

The first stop was the Chainsaw Carvings store. I just couldn't resist having a look. I needed the loo, but all they had to offer were smelly Porta-Potties. The Anxious Traveler doesn't do Porta-Potties. I'd almost rather pee in poison ivy. But I did buy some post cards.






Before I left, I got a picture of Rosie Pro, my trusty steed.


My next stop was to see the Grandfather Tree. This was awesome. The lady in the store was really nice, and we mused about what the tree would say if it could talk. Grandpa would have some stories to tell.






I didn't sit in the little cave, but I could have. I would totally have fit.





Finally, I returned to Leggett, and drove to see the Drive-Through Tree. Your faithful anxious blogger is always eager to provide awesome pictures and stories for your enjoyment.

And have I ever let you down? No. Will I this time?

Certainly not.

I got the requisit picture of Rosie Pro in the tree.


Then I parked her, and wandered around taking some random shots.




Then I fell.

Literally.

I mean, the kind of falling that involves wildly groping at thin air, praying that you won't make a total ass of yourself, trying to make it a fall-to-the-knees scenario, and finally accepting that you're going to fall, face-first, into the dust and rocks below.

My purse went flying. My camera (which was already looking quite woebegone) went flying. (Now the shutter doesn't close properly when I turn it off, though the camera still works in every other way. But I've been wanting an excuse to buy a new one. Now I've got it.)

I assessed the damage.

My left hand has some surface wounds, and my right elbow is scraped up. My clothes were covered in dust.

I went to the bathroom to clean up, and found that there was no soap, and no paper towels. I did my best with water and toilet paper.

My shirt was a mess, so I bought a new one in the gift shop.



Then I high-tailed it back to Leggett, stopping at their tiny market to buy Neosporin and baby wipes. I did a quick clean-up, and then set Rosie in the direction of Fort Bragg. I'd had about enough fun for one afternoon.

Into the Woods

...and out of them into Eureka.

My original plan for Tuesday was to ride the Skunk Train from Fort Bragg to Willits and back, but the train was down for some maintenance in one of the tunnels.

So instead, I drove to Eureka, which is approximately 134 miles from Fort Bragg. I woke up early on Tuesday (damn hotel bed!) and was on the road by 8:00.

I stopped at a gorgeous, deserted beach. I was the only one there, and only occasionally did any cars drive by.






I stopped in Leggett, a tiny bump in the road, for gas. I saw signs for the famous Drive-Through Tree and thought, "I will definitely stop there on the way back!" This decision would haunt me the rest of the trip...but more on that later.




Several miles later, I left Highway 101 and took the Avenure of the Giants, marveling the whole way at the famous California redwoods.

I stopped at a turnout, alone, and took pictures. The silence was creepy. Finally, a couple pulled up. The woman remarked how eerie it was. I laughed and said, "I was releived to see you stop!"

It was a sunny day, but you wouldn't know it in these pictures.







Finally, I arrived in Eureka, and found my way to the historic Victorian district. There was a farmer's market going on.







I found a promising-looking Italian restaurant for lunch. It looked nice, and there were a lot of people.



The soup looks good, right?


It was COLD. I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be one of those served-cold soups or not, but I was thinking NOT. The waiter came by (once in a blue moon) and asked if it was warm enough.

"No, not really."

"I thought it might've missed the warmer. Would you like me to heat it for you?"

"Yes, please."

UGH!

I had ordered vegetarian lasagna. It arrived.


Yes, there is a tiny piece of lasagna swimming somewhere in all that blood-red marinara. The only tastes I took away from that dish were tomato and oregano. The chef had way too much fun with the oregano. My mouth was actually burning.

I had exhausted the possibilities in Eureka, and it was getting about time to begin the four-hour journey (yes, that long) back to Fort Bragg.

It took so long because a lot of the way is winding roads that you have to take at about 35 miles per hour...and there were a lot of hokey tourist traps I wanted to visit.

Which will appear in the next post.

Pacific Sunset

After my milkshake dinner in Mendocino, I started driving back towards Fort Bragg. I pulled off Highway 1 at Ocean Drive and found a place to park my car. I wasn't the only person there with the idea of catching a Pacific sunset. More people arrived as the sun inched lower in the sky.

I read my book while I waited, and took pictures of the seagulls.




The light on the rocks and water is gorgeous.



Finally, the sunset. I was experimenting with different settings on my camera, so I took a bunch.






The Anxious Traveler poses with the setting sun...

Mendocino

The town of Mendocino is lovely. It is small, quaint, and right there on the ocean bluffs. I was charmed by the architecture, and by the strawberry cheescake milkshake I had for dinner.

Yes, for dinner.

I had vowed not to do any more walking after my long ole Odyssey to see the lighthouse, but I couldn't resist exploring Mendocino on foot.









Once a church, now a natural food store.


Once a church, now a bank.


Guess they haven't much time for 'ligion in Mendocino, but they certainly have time for commerce!

Point Cabrillo Lighthouse

I had seen several mentions of Point Cabrillo Lighthouse while researching the area for my trip, so I was determined to see it for myself.

On my way to Fort Bragg to Mendocino, I saw the turn-off, and decided it was a good time. I parked in the parking area and saw a sign that said, "1/2 mile walk to lighthouse."

Half a mile, my butt. I can walk a mile in 13-15 minutes, so half a mile should take 6-7 minutes. I walked FOREVER.

I was all alone in the middle of nowhere, terrified that some axe murderer or scary snake would leap out of the wetlands (which were tick-infested, I might add, according to a sign I saw) around the path. So I stomped and talked to myself. And periodically checked my arms for ticks.

Finally, I reached the lighthouse. A few times along the way I had been tempted to turn around and go back to the car, but I'm no quitter. I was rewarded with a standard lighthouse, and a tiny exhibit in a little building nearby.

They had mollusks and stuff. Faces only a mother could love.





The view was gorgeous, though. I stayed for a few minutes, then stomped back to the car (take THAT, snakes and axe murderers!!). I was sweaty and cross, but I had some great photos.

Pacific Girl

I spent quite a bit of time on and near the beach Monday afternoon.



The Pudding Creek (formal name: Put In Creek) Trestle, a pedestrian bridge.


I wandered along the bluffs for a while, enjoying the views and the sea breeze.







I'm Queen of the World!!




Next I hiked down to the beach and wandered in the sand, getting my workout for the day.











It doesn't look that imposing, but keep in mind, it's all loose sand. When I got back to the top, I was sweaty and breathless.


Back at street level, I found that someone had gotten to the sidewalk when it was newly-paved. I laughed out loud, said, "You spelled 'baboon' wrong!" and went on my merry way to Glass Beach.


Many years ago, the people of Fort Bragg used the beach as a dump. In the sixties, a huge clean-up project commenced, and most of the trash has long been removed. Left from that time, however, are bits of sea glass, hence the name Glass Beach.

To get to it, I hiked a few treacherous paths, and daringly (or stupidly, depending on your point of view) climbed the slippery rocks to peer in tidepools (nothing of interest).







After all the hiking, climbing, peering, bending, walking in sand, and stooping for pictures, I was hot, sweaty and ready to drive some more.

I walked back to my hotel (conveniently located a few scant blocks from Glass Beach) and climbed in Rosie Pro to drive towards the town of Mendocino.

...and that, of course, is for the next post.