Mendocino Headlands

Before continuing up the coast from Fort Bragg, we doubled back to visit the Mendocino Headlands. Dan wasn't totally convinced of the value of this backtracking, until we go there. . . Where we hopped around the headlands and stared down cliffs and studied the little plants clinging to the sides of the rocks.  My biggest surprise--vegetation-wise--was how many wild irises grew on rock faces in the wind and salt from the ocean.

sort of blurry/dreamy photo. . . though unintentional in the moment, it's sort of how the trip feels now.  Already a little far away and out of focus.  The constant driving and moving around was exhausting, but I wish we could have kept driving together forever. . .

Kelp Monster!!

Big River Beach

We took our beach break at the Big River Beach.  I was looking for the Mendocino Headlands, but I'm glad we didn't find them, because we would have missed this.

I put my toe in the water and finally understood why everyone looked at us like we were crazy when we said we might swim.  So cold.  Even walking barefoot on the wet sand started to make my feet go cold and little numb.

Kelp growing off shore the whole length of the coast.  Not until we hit Oregon did we see an expanse of ocean not dotted with the tops of kelp forests. Washed up on shore, it looked like a Jules Verne monster.