TRAVELOGUE

MENDOCINO - The drive from LA to Mendocino was unremarkable until we started driving through the Anderson Valley. The valley is spectacular with an unbelievable number of wineries on both sides of the highway until you start to drive through very thick redwood forests. The road winds it’s way over the coastal mountains and comes down alongside the Navarro River that ends at a spectacular coastal view. We pulled into Mendocino and drove around the small town looking for a place to stay. Just as we drove in there was a small reservation center in nice little house. We went inside to inquire about lodgings and they gave us a few choices and we ended up at nice inn that was a converted house right next door to the reservation house.

We took a walk through town and wandered around the headlands park that surrounds the town on 3 sides. The scenery was gorgeous and we walked around until sunset when on our way back to our room we saw a nice old cemetery. I took a couple of very beautiful shots as the sun was setting.

PATRICK’S POINT - The next day we drove up the coast turning inland and back over the coastal mountains through beautiful forests. We met up with the 101 heading North for quite some time and pulled into Patrick’s Point. It is a very nice campground with yet more spectacular coastal views. We looked around a little but mostly rested after the long drive. I saw Banana Slugs for the first time. They are interesting little creatures.

The next day we took a trail that headed out from behind our campsite and went around the edge of the park to Agate Beach. Just as the name implies there are semi-precious stones all over the beach. You are allowed to collect some 50 pounds. We collected some California Jade, pieces of carved redwood and other stones. That night we had a run-in with the most feared creature I have ever come across…a skunk. It had gotten very dark and I didn’t as yet throw away our trash bag with its dinner remnants. I heard a rustling noise and figure a raccoon was ripping into it. I called Makiko to bring a flashlight and I aimed at the commotion and realized we were in trouble. I had no idea what to do. I threw some wood at it and it ran off.

JED SMITH STATE PARK - The next day we drove further North towards Jed Smith State Park. We found a small hotel and stayed a night and then drove just down the street to the park. We hiked a trail alongside the Smith River through beautiful old growth forest. The next day we took a longer trail through some even more spectacular forest. Took quite a few photos of mushrooms.

9/11 - FERNDALE - The next day we started back South down the 101. Driving through the redwood area here is unbelievable. We made a couple of stops to view the elk that are well represented in this area. We continued driving to the wonderful little town of Ferndale. Most the town is made up of quaint Victorian style architecture. We stayed at the Shaw House, which is a gorgeous 100 year-old B&B.

The next morning I decided to check in with the folks at my office. It was a little before 8am on September 11^th 2001. I was unable to get a hold of anyone at my office so I called a support line knowing that someone would have to answer. My friend Mike answered and asked if I heard the news. I hadn’t been near a radio or TV for over a week, of course I haven’t heard any news. He said we were at war. We were attacked. The World Trade Center was gone and the Pentagon has been hit. I didn’t believe him but he insisted that I find a radio or TV and get some news. Makiko had a portable radio so I put it on and the first station I was able to get made it clear in 5 seconds that it certainly was true. I was shaking.

Here I was in this old B&B about to sit down to breakfast with a table full of strangers knowing that I was the only one who knew this. What was I to do? Tell everyone and ruin their vacations, or just hold it in and let them find out on their own. I decide that I would not tell. We walked in to the parlor and there was a couple there. They chimed in with a cheerful “how ya doin?” and I could only say “pretty good until just a few minutes ago”. They politely asked what the problem was so I told them that we were attacked. They looked at me with a “who is this idiot ruining my vacation” kind of look but my seriousness convinced them that I was no idiot. Just then 2 more couple came in and the innkeeper with a similar “how is everyone”? The couple I had first spoken to said “why don’t you tell ‘em”. Everyone in the room was now looking at me and said we were attacked and everyone had the same “who is this idiot” look on their faces. Again my seriousness won them over when the innkeeper said she had a radio in the kitchen.

We gathered around and listened to news for what seemed like an interminable amount of time. We finally sat down and had scrumptious breakfast with some forced conversation. We walked around the town for little while trying to enjoy our day as best we could. We hadn’t as yet seen any of the devastation so it didn’t really sink in yet as to what had really happened.

ELK - We left Ferndale and continued South down the 101. We passed through Willits and then went back to the coast. We stopped at Trinidad and bought some smoked fish. We continued backtracking through Fort Bragg, Mendocino and on down to Elk. We stayed at the very beautiful Harbor House Inn. They include dinner and breakfast which was fabulous. The next day we drove out through the Anderson Valley stopping at a number of wineries. We continued driving South across the Golden Gate bridge which we weren’t sure if it would even be open. We didn’t stop until we got to Monterey. We stayed in hotel there and finally saw the destruction on TV.