The morning came early, but we were on the road by 7:30. Taking our cues from the cab ride to the restaurant last night, and the ride home from Hayden, we negotiated our way towards the Golden Gate Bridge. On the way we stopped to gas; first at a Chevron then an adjacent Shell. These damned California emissions pumps made it difficult to fill up the Honda Shadow Ian is on and Mark't Triumph. Fortunately a local showed us how to hold the collar back and get gas into the tank!
The Golden Gate Bridge, like nearly all the shoreline we would travel today, was shrouded in fog. Sometimes so thick you couldn't see the third or fourth car in front of you. We exited on to California 1 just outside of Sausolito. The roads were really twisty, some cases calling for a 15mph speed sign. These aren't just advisory, they are recommended.
Up and down, left and right, in and out of the fog, we worked our way to breakfast in Point Reyes. Ian and Mark had a terrific egg, ham and cheese sandwich with house-made buns. It had warmed up (falsely) to 72 degrees so it looked like the fog would burn off and we'd have a sunny ride. Wrong!
Temps hovered in the mid-50s as we skirted the shoreline on Route 1. Our travels took us through Eucalyptus groves, cattle ranches, horse ranches, surfing communities and past some pretty fine looking resorts.
Cold and about 60 miles short of Ft. Bragg, we stopped at the Sea Ranch resort. We all needed a break negotiating hairpins and tight twisties. The coffeee and hot chocolate was welcome. Three coffees and the hot chocolate (made from the espresso machine's milk steamer and real chocolate syrup) cost all of $10.56!
About 50 miles later we stopped in Little River for a sandwich and break. The gas station/deli/grocery was okay, but the adjacent Petite Rive Restaurant looked really good. Unfortunately they are only open for dinner and we're not backtracking.
With radar up, I was looking for our evening destination, the Pine Beach Inn. On our left we passed this forlorn looking place which didn't appear to have its restaurant open, so we continued in to Ft. Bragg proper and got some rooms at the Quality Inn and Suites. Its a 1970s era property, but clean and it has a restaurant (serving 'til 10, bar closes at 11) on premises.
We were also able to cancel our reservations at the Pine Beach Inn without penalty.
Well, its a little after 6:30 and we are waiting for Hayden, Astro, and another of Hayden's pals who is accompanying Astro in the Chase Vehicle.
Maybe later tonight or tomorrow a blog from the mystery writer.
Adios from Foggy Bottom!
Henry, Alice and Dennis (the Mitchells)
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