MONDAY,
AUGUST 24:
On
our last day here at the Mendocino Coast, we were tired
of grey skies and chilly temperatures, and hungry for some warmth and
sun. So we took a day trip down to the Anderson Valley, just a few
miles south of Ft. Bragg and then eastwards. What a beautiful day
and drive! Not too long after we left the coast, sure enough, the
grey overcast sky gave way to blue, and there was the sun!
Hwy
128, which drives through the heart of the valley, is a splendid road
for scenic beauty! At the west end, where we started, there's a
large grove of Redwoods. They truly are majestic and stately –
each one standing proudly alone, reaching to the heavens, providing
habit underneath them to ferns and other
moisture and shade loving
plants. And on days like today, the sun penetrates through their
tops in a dappled pattern, creating just enough light and warmth on
the forest floor to offset the awesomeness of the dense shaded canopy
overhead.
After
a wonderful few miles of the Redwoods, the panorama changed to the
hills of wine country. Breathtaking loveliness.
Drove
through a couple of very small towns, which are having an economic
resurgence due to the wine industry and its accompanying tourists.
We stopped at one and brought our picnic lunch and bought a couple of
glasses of their signature Pinit Noir and enjoyed it on their patio
overlooking more hills and vineyards.
We're
told that this valley is what Napa Valley used to be like– small
family-owned wineries, small friendly towns with Mom & Pop
grocery stores on Main Street, very welcoming and accomodating to
visitors.
Explored a little more of
the valley, and then turned around and savored the return trip.
Between the redwood forests and the vineyard rollling hills, this is
one of the most beautiful drives we've ever taken. Where else but in
California would you experience these two diverse micro-climates and
ecologies right next door to each other??! If we ever return to
this area, a day's drive on Hwy 128 through the Anderson Valley will
be high on our list!
We enjoyed our time here on
the Mendocino coast. We can see why the reidents love it here:
extremely mild climate, where virtually anything will grow, rugged
scenic coastline, unsurpassed redwood forest and vineyard valley
scenery right next door, vibrant arts, and very friendly,
community-minded people. But all that notwithstanding, it wouldn't
do for us – too cool year round, with not nearly enough sunshine.
But we'd pay a visit here again in a heartbeat!
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