Whenever we’re looking for a place to stay on our coastal trips, we try to find locations where it’s easy to get outside and walk. Not all of the houses we’ve rented fit that criteria, but it’s a definite plus in my book. The shoulders along Highway 1 can be small to nonexistent, and the road itself consists of innumerable blind curves — not great for pedestrians! A couple of months ago we found ourselves up on a ridgetop in Mendocino County, with beautiful long views and a dirt road that I was able to explore. It was definitely not walking distance to the ocean’s shore, but I’m equally happy wandering through coastal redwood forests. On this occasion I turned around when I came upon a locked gate but still got a pretty good workout.

Madrone trees outside our cabin

I didn’t make it to the tower, but this sign motivated me to climb the hill

Boring beetle art looks interesting!

I wonder if the “OG” on this tree means “Old Growth”

I find mullein growing almost everywhere I go