July 16-17, 2008 – Fort Bragg
California Road Trip and Family GTG

Days 10-11 It was finally time to say farewell to the family and head back to the Pacific Northwest. We wanted to return via the coast and spend some time in Fort Bragg. Our last trip along the coast was in the mid-80’s.

First we loaded up the car with some of my mother’s furniture that I was storing at G’s parents. We got it all stuffed in the care with a little bit of room to spare. We waved good by and headed across the delta to the coast.

We stopped in Healdsburg for lunch. We had a couple of tasty sandwiches and great beers at Bear Republic Brewery. We continued up 101 and turned off a Cloverdale to drive through Anderson Valley. We stopped in Boonville. It is a very cool little town. I particularly liked All that Good Stuff store. Lovely gifts with a French flair.

We continued on and stopped for a tasting of award winning wines at Navarro Wines in Philo. We tried a very tasty Rose, Riesling and Gewürztraminer.

Soon we entered the redwoods. The air was cooler and salty. We were nearing the coast. We stayed two nights in a private rental above Fort Bragg. It was a perfect getaway. We had a tasty dinner at North Coast Brewery.

Next day was plant day. We headed off to the Mendocino Botanical Garden. We were amazed at the diversity of plants that would grow in the area. It is at the northern edge of growing region of many of our favorite Mediterranean plants. We explored the beds and worked up an appetite.

We had an amazing lunch at Moosse Cafe. It was recommended in our rental as a good place for vegetarians and it was. Lots of fresh seasonal food and good fish choices. We walked around the town for a while admiring the large echiums.

Our last stop for the day was at Hortus Botanicus so G could be temped by some exotic tender perennial that he could do without. He found several. Fortunately, he was limited by the furniture we had in the car.

The next day it was time to say good by to the coast and we headed off for the redwoods.

Here are some scenes from gardens and Mendocino.

Matilija Poppy

Iris

Mendocino Botanical Garden

Continue on …

Garden next to Moosse’s Restaurant

Mendocino water tower