We drove north, bypassing San Fransisco this time joining route 101 which we'll follow up the West Coast. The coastline is stunning, rocky outcrops, plunging cliffs and gorgeous little seaside towns along the way. This is the coastline the Russians established settlements in the early 19th century for trade and fur harvesting. We stopped at Fort Ross, a replica of the original 1812 Russian Fort built here then abandoned in 1842 once the otter population had been decimated. Ruby was more interested in the long drop toilet than the history until she found the old bell hanging in the yard to ring (again and again and again very loudly). The teenage Russian tourists were very amused!
We came across a lovely seaside town, Mendocino but travelled a little further to stay in Fort Bragg which is not so picture perfect but a nicer feel and less pretentious, a bit like the difference between Anglesea and Lorne. More Mexican food! I went for a swim the next day and could barely float.
We came across a lovely seaside town, Mendocino but travelled a little further to stay in Fort Bragg which is not so picture perfect but a nicer feel and less pretentious, a bit like the difference between Anglesea and Lorne. More Mexican food! I went for a swim the next day and could barely float.
Continuing north we wound through the Humboldt State Park on California's Redwood coast to The Avenue of Giants. Coastal Redwood trees are the tallest of the Sequoia trees some over 3000 years old and over 350 feet. Giants indeed. We came across a few drive-thru trees and what can I say? We just had to do it.
In the gift shop I finally realised how people in Australia with un-Aussie accents must feel when I couldn't communicate to the cashier that I wanted 8 stamps. "What? oh you want ice sorry we don't have ice". When I said "eight......seven eight nine.." She said "oh eight" in what I thought was exactly the way I'd said it. When I apologised she said "don't worry I have a friend from England he sounds exactly the same as you" ......huh???
In the gift shop I finally realised how people in Australia with un-Aussie accents must feel when I couldn't communicate to the cashier that I wanted 8 stamps. "What? oh you want ice sorry we don't have ice". When I said "eight......seven eight nine.." She said "oh eight" in what I thought was exactly the way I'd said it. When I apologised she said "don't worry I have a friend from England he sounds exactly the same as you" ......huh???
The food is improving as we head north, tonight's dinner was the best yet!
I'm sure the Mexican food was dad's idea...
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