Plan and Execution

I'd like to see myself get a few more boxes unpacked and organized today. I can see the hallway opening up to a welcoming space. Gave several great boxes to Amber for her move into town.

If possible a day trip which includes some dog walking might be in order.

Saturday Night

As I saw the light developing I decided to head out for Little River and see what kind of sunset pics I could get. I settled for parking along the access road and shooting across the sand and beach into the orange globe as it settled in for the night.

I stuck with it as the light ebbed and got this shot as well.

There is certainly an advantage to having rock silhouettes or other interesting detail in the foreground.
After the sun was gone I got this beach front view looking toward Trinidad.

Misadventure

It was an absolutely beautiful day as I stopped for this shot at Cape Mendocino.

Yesterday I thought I'd try a trip to California's 'Lost Coast'. Without adequate research I headed off to Ferndale then West to Petrolia. Here I drove from Cape Mendocino aways south along incredibly desolate black sand beaches. No pullouts to speak of and definitely NO recreation points. I was a bit disappointed as I had intended to spend the day there.

As I drove through Petrolia I stopped for some fresh blackberries along the road and took pics of the Catholic Church on a rise above Mattole Road.

Glanced at the historic Mattole School and the historic Mattole Grange as I passed by and noted the unmarked right turn onto Lighthouse Road. I drove on, tired and hungry and uninterested by now in further exploration.

It was a LONG drive back through Honeydew to 101. I noted the Briceland Rd. turnoff and wondered where it might lead but my quest was getting tiresome and I kept driving on through the Redwoods and some excellent giant trees. Once I was back on 101 I took a sidetrip on Avenue of the Giants and stopped at Redcrest for a late lunch. The Eternal Tree Cafe didn't offer much in the way of healthful options. I ordered the Grilled Ham and Cheese with fries. It messed up my blood sugar and did not sit well with me.

Finally home by 5 p.m. I more or less skipped dinner, opting instead for some Cottage Cheese around 7 p.m.

Will I go back???

Probably and possibly, but most likely it will be to Shelter Cove at the south end of the 'lost coast' and inland through Briceland. There are plenty of beaches nearby to explore first.

New Shower Head

With the new shower head installed I decided a luxurious shower testing all the settings should be the order of the day. It turned out to be a wonderful sunny day after 12 p.m. Unfortunately I had committed to staying home. I will consult a weather report in the morning and if it looks good I might just indulge myself in an adventure of my own choosing. The Lost Coast is calling.

As the day waned and a sunset became obvious I drove the dogs to Moonstone Beach and took several pics.

Fixed a great zucchini frittata for my dinner last night.

Missed the actual setting of the sun but captured this sky at sunset. I saw the sunset developing but at that time of day I rarely have the motivation to load up the camera and dogs and go somewhere for a great shot. I didn't want to miss this fiery cloud action though so I wandered to the back of the Laurel Tree Day Care Center and composed a shot through the blackberry bushes.

Walking on the Hammond Trail

Yesterday I loaded up the dogs and drove over to the Hammond Trail access at the Mad River Bridge. We crossed the bridge then followed the dirt road along the river. Separated by a berm and thick bushes we didn't see much but I had a chance to get some pictures and the dogs were panting from their walk. I need to make this a regular thing for all 3 of us.

We watched as a farmer gathered up his hay.


And the lady scarecrow guarded a Mustard field across the street.


I chased a Bumble Bee from Thistle to Thistle.

It was a nice break from the

dog naps while I play on the computer

sort of day we normally lead.

Victorian Ferndale

Toward late afternoon the sun was out and the errands were run so I took the dogs for a walk along the Eel River in Fortuna.


I stopped in Ferndale and got some pictures 1st.

This is the Gingerbread Mansion. You will find it on the local postcards. By the time I got there the sun was beneath a layer of overcast and the light was not all it could be.