21 April 2023 • 345 km / 215 mi (map)
Continuing on from my month-long trip through the Southeastern US, I spent most of this week representing my team and project at Internet Identity Workshop. IIW is a fabulous torrent of information and connections. Having attended before and had that same experience then, I made plans to have this weekend away and to myself.
After the conference ended yesterday afternoon, I got my rental car and drove to the north end of the Bay Area. I had some nice views across the water to San Francisco, but mostly it was time to start decompressing.
Today’s weather was 👩🏼🍳 perfect: cool but sunny. And I had a very fun rental car, so of course I took the windy coastal highway north. I had driven most of this route before, but the aptly named Panoramic Highway was new to me:
Had to laugh and maybe cry a little at this sign. How many people (wrongly) followed their GPS down this private driveway?
Did I mention the lonely, windy roads?
People who know me know that I typically demur when asked what is my favorite ___, including what is my favorite travel destination.
Let the evidence show that Mendocino clearly belongs on a short list of my favorite places because I keep coming back and that is where I am again this weekend. I first set foot in Mendocino more than thirty years ago. I’ve lost count, but I think I’m now on something like my 15th visit.
Were it not for the modern-day cars parked on its streets, you could think you’ve stepped back 100 or more years when you in this town. It’s quiet and laid-back. Signs at the edge of town refer to the Mendocino Historic Preservation District, and they take this seriously.
Here’s a view of the village from across the bay:
I’m here to do a whole lot of nothing, which sounds like just my speed about now.
I’ve mostly hidden the parked cars behind trees or hills. You see what I mean about being well-preserved history?
Anyway, more in a few days as I continue to revisit this – dare I say it? favorite – place.
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