Today we decided to go exploring again despite the fact I seem to be getting sicker. My chest makes little squeaky whistling noises when I breathe. Fortunately, Peggy seems to be getting better.
We got back on CA-128 northbound from Cloverdale. We made another pass through Yorkville, Boonville, Philo and Navarro and then entered Navarro Redwoods SP again. This little-known patch of redwood forest is just gorgeous. The road passes down the north bank of the Navarro River. This time we didn’t get to see all the animals we spotted driving through here a few days ago maybe because it was raining.
We finally broke out of the trees and onto the coast where we picked up CA-1 northbound. After passing through the towns of Albion and Little River, we arrived at Mendocino where we pulled off to check out the many unique and beautiful houses lining the streets of this tiny community. Peggy and I stayed at a B&B here about a million years ago but we were unable to find the place again this time.
From town we took the short drive out to Mendocino Headlands SP which is really just a series of parking spots along the road that runs right at the edge of the bluffs overlooking the Pacific. The ocean here has big expanses of turquoise water, a testament to the beauty of coastlines that are not over-used and grubbied up by humans. Large waves were pummeling the rocks and it was all pretty spectacular.
After wandering around a bit more in Mendocino, we got back on CA-1 headed north toward Fort Bragg. Just after we passed the city limit of Fort Bragg, we turned east on CA-20 that runs back across the coast range to Willits and 101. Once back on 101, we headed south for 45 miles or so to our camping spot at Russian River RV Resort in Cloverdale.
The roads between 101 and 1 in Northern California are truly amazing drives but the road surfaces are lousy with potholes and poorly implemented repairs and there are more curves than almost anywhere else we have been. However, the scenery is worth it. Just budget your time to allow about three times as long as you think it will take and you should be okay.
Some pix of this can be seen by clicking here