Moved up the Northern Coast of California to Mendocino and more specifically Casper Beach, which was our base camp to explore the area. Ft. Bragg is just up the road where we enjoyed Jenny's Giant Burgers right after setting up camp. This area (Mendocino to Crescent City) is best known for the Coastal Redwood trees which locals call the gentle giants. Some tower more than 300 feet, making them the tallest trees on the planet and can be more than 1000 years old. The majestic beauty of the redwood forests are quite amazing and deserving being known as one of the top 10 natural wonders in North America.
The road to the town of Mendocino, no wider than a country lane, corkscrews through mountain passes and traverses a cathedral of giant redwoods. This village of Victorian homes and Inns perched on a cliffside peninsula jutting into the Pacific makes for a dramatic setting and makes this place special. Note the water towers providing indoor plumbing to the village since the 1800's and the timeless Mendocino Inn with its bar and vintage parlor.
After filling our backpack with salami and cheese along with some adult beverages, off we went back to Ft. Bragg to ride the Skunk Train for a trip through the famous local forest where you get a feel for the natural, unspoiled beauty. This short, 7-mile roundtrip takes you over the first tracks laid down by the California Western Railroad, and along the beautiful Pudding Creek Estuary.
A short drive from our base camp at Casper Beach is the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse and Light Keepers house open to the public. Ron made the mile hike out to the point.
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