Northern CA Coast Road Trip

Ah, the blue Pacific just north of Ft.Bragg.

We were enjoying the sunny and blue

skies here, because  further up

the northern coast,

it was clouding up and turning grey,

not just the sky, but the ocean as well.

Several of the roadside

attractions along highway 101

   have been around for a long time.

 http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2043

   Heading to the

coast for a break from the heat in  

 is on just about everyone's summer

time vacation schedule.

Confusion Hill doesn't look

much different than when I was a kid. 

Elbow Tree,

1200 years old.

Top:

Middle:

Bottom:

Now on to Ferndale, CA.

http://www.victorianferndale.com/

The economy has taken it's toll.

There's parking available

at the height of the tourist season.

We found several empty

storefronts.  Some of our favorite

stores are no longer in business.

Once we were visiting here

while they were filming the movie

'Outbreak', with Dustin Hoffman.

It was so much fun, watching  everyone

working.  They cleared the streets

while they were filming.  The tourists

and locals ducked into the shops 

while the filming was happening

out in the street.  Then a loud siren

would give the all clear, and 

everyone would file outside into 

the street to gawk, I mean act normal

around the film crew.

It was memorable.

Ferndale was also used

 for filming another movie 

 'The Majestic' with Jim Carry.

 We were there while

that was being filmed also. 

Just a lucky coincidence.

  The town was filled with cars

from the 1950's

along with cast members in period clothing.

I loved that we were on vacation visiting

the North State at just the right time to

see the movie magic happening.

The entire town of Ferndale

is California's Historical Landmark No. 883.

It's one of our favorite stops when we're

over on the coast.