6 p.m., Main Street, Mendocino

I’ve been wanting to explore Mendocino village for awhile, but to be honest, the usual crowds of tourists swarming the place put me off. So I was very happy when I got a chance to do some exploring the other day. It was rather late in the afternoon, most of the shops were closed, and the weather didn’t exactly invite casual strolls through the town. I wrapped my heavy jacket around me and did my best to ignore the gusts of icy wind and off-and-on rain showers — but I mostly had the sidewalks to myself, and it was great!