Northern California Coast

I arrived in Bodega Bay in a cool drizzle. Thankfully the next morning the clouds had cleared and the sky was blue again. The little town of Bodega is tiny; its claim to fame is that it was the location for Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds.” Bodega (pronounced “Bodayga”) Bay is about 5 miles from Bodega. The inhabitants of the Bay are quick to let you know where they are from; some of them even have a car sticker with BB on it as if it’s a country of its own! Needless to say there is a lot of fishing, crabbing, as well as all kind of water sport activities ongoing. I spent a good hour watching some guys windsurfing and kite skiing (I think that’s what it’s called.)
I left my beautiful sea view spot for Cloverdale which was about 40 miles north-east - an easy drive. Cloverdale is located on the Russian River, and my parking spot was in an RV resort with full amenities. This are attracted Russian, Swiss and Italian immigrants who knew the soil and climate was good for grapevines. Surrounded with wineries I decided I had to visit one. I really like the pepper jellies they make with wine, pour a little over some cream cheese and serve with crackers - ummmmm!
I had noticed several things on my drive through the wine country. Some of the vines are strung out and some aren’t, some are on the slopes of hillsides, some are in the valleys. So I asked! Of course I should’ve known, different grapes, different wines. The counties here in California are much larger than our English counties or most of Texas counties come to that. Cloverdale is in Sonoma County which butts up to Napa County and there are more than three hundred wineries in Sonoma County alone. Grape vines are planted in a lot of backyards (and some front yards) just like we plant vegetables. California produces 17 million gallons of wine each year! No luck with the pepper jelly though!

My next stop would be my last in California for this trip. Right on the Klamath River in the heart of the Redwood National Forest. I have thoroughly enjoyed California from the desert with the odd creosote bush and cactus to this area with these huge trees, it is very diverse. The population is also very diverse. I have been very careful to avert my eyes from time to time, like when I saw a guy in San Diego with his shopping cart full of his worldly good and his pet crow sitting on his head. Hair comes in all colours and all styles. Lots of the younger folks have multiple--multiple piercings and tatoos. Hard not to look when you see a young man completely covered in tatoo art with pink and blue hair and about 18 studs in his face and mouth. Ugh!

California is the second largest state in area in the U.S., but the largest population. The state covers 163,707 square miles and 48 million mostly happy—some decidedly weird, people live here. I am not sure that everyone who is able to really enjoys or appreciates their good fortune. The scenery is breath taking and the weather is generally pleasant year around, with about a 20 degree difference between winter and summer.

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