From Crescent City to Petaluma: California

                                                        Saturday, November 8, 2014
An eight hour drive to Petaluma from Crescent City:

                                                              Cars age well in California

As we traveled through Eureka, I saw a fascinating animal mural which I was able to get a closer view of @ http://www.humboldtmade.com/blogs/leon-villagomez/murals-old-town-eureka (scroll close to the bottom of page).

Along Highway 101 we saw lots of signs for Confusion Hill  http://www.confusionhill.com
"For 60 years, Confusion Hill was on the heavily traveled US 101 highway, also known as the Redwood Highway. Due to repeated mudslides obstructing the road, US 101 was realigned in 2009 to the Confusion Hill Bridges, bypassing the attraction. In 2010 Confusion Hill was granted California Points of Historical Interest status." http://www.pressdemocrat.com/csp/mediapool/sites/PressDemocrat/News/story.csp?cid=2235186&sid=555&fid=181 

From the 101, we met Route 1, a narrow and windy 22 mile drive through forest. The elevation began at 300 metres and settled near sea level. Twenty six cars passed us during this 2 mile stretch; only one car behind us.  Rte 1 is called "Shore Road". The view of the shore appeared after our forest drive.

The first gas stop in 30 miles. $5 a gallon, so we half-filled our tank.
Twenty minutes away, at another station, the gas was priced at $3.23 per gallon.

We stopped in Mendocino, a picturesque coastal town to stretch our legs and bask in the sun. As you will see in our photos, Mendocino was in bloom!

               Time and The Maiden Statue: http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/28260

The view of our drive changed from coast to farmlands to forests with some clearings. We drove by many wineries. We reconnected with Highway 101 near Cloverdale. I spotted a sculpture alongside the highway. From http://101sculpturetrail.com/gallery/ I learned the Geyserville Community Foundation has joined the Cloverdale Arts Alliance to produce a Sculpture Trail. The sculpture along the highway is Run Home with Captain’s Chair by Max Heiges which you can see on the website, scroll halfway down the page.