Lost Coast Scenic Byway

We started out to drive the scenic byway called the Lost Coast, but quickly determined we started too late in the day and the fog was coming in early due to weather conditions.  So we scrapped it for that day and went the next day.   We debated whether to drive this 65 mile, 2 hour one way route through climbs and dips and very narrow roads but wanted to see why it made the travel books.  We started at the town of Fernadale, an 1852 town that grew rich from creameries and enjoyed a boom in Victorian houses.

The road zigzags up slopes, through open forested valleys,

and stretches of ranch land 

and into  Capetown, Cape Mendocino and Petrolia - the site of the states first commercial oil wells.

Cape Mendocino - the western-most points in the contiguous 48 states.

Cape Mendocino is the site of many shipwrecks.   No kidding...with all of these protruding rocks.   Here there are 3 large tectonic plates that grind together just off the coast, creating one of the most active earthquake zones.  

All in all a great  drive through beautiful  country.

Hope all is well!