Fort Bragg - Day 3

Actually, I should have called this post: Day 2-1/2, as most of this adventure was done in the afternoon and evening. Oh well, I'll leave it for now.

We went to the amazing Botanical Gardens late morning, on a beautiful 63 degree, blue-sky day on the coast. I took a LOT of pictures, so I won't show them all here, but look for an email sometime tomorrow, to where I'll post all the pix for the entire week. WE HAD A SUPER TIME!

If and when you ever get to Fort Bragg, the Gardens are something you won't want to miss. A non-profit maintains everything, and they do a smashing job. There are well-marked trails (see photo below), and a map to keep you from walking in circles. One trail takes you right out to the bluffs, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. I took MANY pictures, so will only share a few here; look for an email to a "cloud link" where I'll post them all for you to click through at your leisure!

A flock of pelicans came through while we stood on the ocean bluff ... Don't look up, or at least keep your mouth closed if you do?

And, yes, there were sculptures, here and there around the Garden, made by local artisan's. And, amazing trees (like the one below) that are sculptures themselves. Everything IS labeled by the way, with the scientific name, of course, and the name that us common folk know them by ... Wait! Is that some kind of rose? Or a berry? I was never too good at remembering the different species of growing things.

Anyway, more to come in the "cloud post" of all the pictures.  After the Gardens, we headed for downtown Fort Bragg to visit two museums. The first displayed a huge cache of glass from Glass Beach, polished by the ocean over many years. The displays were organized by glass type and color. Last time we visited it was illegal to pickup glass off the beach. 

The City Council tried to impose fines on people that got caught, but the courts kept throwing the cases out. Finally, it is legal again, however the beaches have been picked clean, as you might imagine.

Next up was part of the train museum where a fantastic diorama of the entire area was displayed, dating back to when steam locomotives were used to bring logs down to the mill. Across from the dioramas room was the workshop where a couple dedicated enthusiasts were hard at work, sanding, painting, and maintaining the cars and engines.

After a busy day, we retired to the RV to rest before dinner (we had walked over 4 miles). Dinner plans for Thursday night were special, since my birthday was the following day ... I chose a fish dinner at The Wharf restaurant, right on the harbor.

The setting, dining room, wait staff, and the meal of fresh caught salmon and Alaskan halibut (fresh from Alaska?), were first rate. We had a calamari appetizer to start, with a honey-mustard dipping sauce that I thought Louise was going to use on everything! It WAS indeed yummy, I have to admit. There was a red dipping sauce, too, equally good and nothing like we've ever had before. No picture because we ate it all before I thought to take one. Ha!

We each ordered one fish type, then split plates so we could taste both. Cooked to perfection, both were "melt-in your-mouth" good ... accompanied by a chunk of polenta, fresh tomatoes, and carrots/string beans sautéed in butter and garlic. Yes OMG! 

The view from our table, looking out to sea, under the Hwy 1 bridge ... 

Of course, we just had to have a desert ... me, the Olallieberry cobbler, topped with vanilla ice cream, and a layered moose for Louise, chocolate, of course. Wow! We waddled out of the restaurant and decided a short walk along the jetty entrance to the harbor was in order after the big meal. 

Then, it was back to the bus and some relaxation for the rest of the evening, trying not to think about our plans to leave in the morning. But, we were up early and headed out of camp by 8:15 ... Such a nice time, we had. If I hadn't booked dinner at the Elks Friday night I think we would have remained for the weekend.

Friday night at the Elks Lodge in Auburn, for a smoked beef ribs dinner.

I hope you enjoyed tagging along ... I'll post all the pix to the "cloud" and, if you don't get an email from me, drop me a note. See you on the next adventure!

God bless,

Dennis