Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Elk, Mendocino County

There are always plenty of great things to see along the road as we drive north along the narrow and winding Highway 1 through Sonoma and Mendocino counties. Even places I’ve seen hundreds of times are always slowly evolving, like the construction project in Sonoma County near Bodega Bay. I shared photos of the same stretch three months ago when we drove through, and the project is moving right along.

Further progress on Sonoma’s Gleason Beach Realignment at Scotty Creek, Hwy 1

Just north of the Russian River

Sea fog north of Point Arena

The two images below are from a location between Manchester State Beach and the town of Elk where the road curves into a C-shape and drops rather precipitously to cross Elk Creek. I’ve tried several times to capture this nearly hidden beach as we passed by. There seems to be only one good spot along the road to stop and hike down to the shore; I’ve never yet seen another car stopped there, and I’m hoping one of these days I’ll get the chance to explore this cove.

Downtown Elk

I’m always on the lookout for Highland cattle grazing the fields between Elk and Albion. Again, I keep promising myself that if I’m driving when I spot them I’ll pull over and get a few pictures. While this photo from a moving car isn’t of the greatest quality, it does at least prove these beasties do exist along Highway 1 in Mendocino County!

You’ll find Anchor Bay between Gualala and Point Arena

These cyclists on Highway 1 must have nerves of steel!