Thursday, December 13, 2007

Happy Holidays!

The Franklin Street decorations are up and the town is looking swell.


That's me waving "bye bye" from the Pudding Creek Trestle Bridge. My wife and I are leaving tomorrow for the Pacific Northwest and family holidays. I plan to do some walking and gawking whilst in the Seattle area so if I see anything of note I will post it on this site but, more than that, I want to take this opportunity to wish you a happy and safe holiday season. I will return for more "Walking and Gawking" in and around Fort Bragg the 6th of January, 2008.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Sunday Clouds. Monday March.

We had a strange cloud formation Sunday afternoon. It was pretty much the same pattern every direction I looked. And then they went away.

This morning I enjoyed a special walk from Casper to Mendocino and back with two excellent walking friends. We ripped off nine and a half miles in just over three hours. Walking and talking sure makes the miles and time zip by. The short person was a happy camper throughout the trip and only faded towards the end! Thanks ladies for inspiring this walk!

Friday, December 7, 2007

More Alley Insights




"Honey? Could you put an outlet on the other side of the door?"

"Sure. No problem."

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Visual Topography

This morning I noticed how the streetlights indicate the lay of the land. This photo is looking north up Franklin Street. The first cross street in view is Oak Street and the beginning of the Franklin Street "Re-do". The next street (the low part) is Alder Street. I understand there is a "capped" stream under or near Alder Street . Franklin Street then rises to Redwood Avenue, remains pretty much flat to Laurel Street and then starts to slope down a bit to Pine Street. There you have it, my early morning topolographical observation!

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Tomorrow evening will be what we call "First Friday". Shop owners spruce up a bit extra and stay open later the first Friday of every month but in December the dog is really put on for Christmas/Holiday shoppers. And this time, for the first time, I'm going to be selling my Fort Bragg "Odditiy" shirt, sweats and hoodies at my wife's Fort Bragg Fabric Studio which is located on the alley behind the Old Bottling Works building. 122 East Fir. "Fabric Studio" banners and signage will be visible when you get close. I will also have some of my "Franklin Street Re-do" photo essay books on hand. I hope you can walk over and take a look!

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Fort Bragg Fog

I decided to walk out to the trestle and back. Soft morning fog and silence.
Heading north on Main Street.

North on Glass Beach drive towards the trestle.

Bicycle commuter heading south. I see him every weekday morning.

Another walker approaching the trestle.

Big waves and a changed beach.

The trail to Glass Beach.

"Check out" kiosk at Rossi's Building and Supply.

The alleyway south past Headlands Coffeehouse.

Monday, December 3, 2007

Yeah Baby!

We in it now! The radar image at 4:30 this afternoon.

I had to go take a look. This is the storm drain outflow at Glass Beach. It is just getting going good with debris from our streets.

Looking out to sea from the Pudding Creek Trestle I see the summer build up of beach is being cut into and washed back to sea by the run-off from Pudding Creek.

This is our first real rain of the coming rainy season.

Wimped Out

A storm system is coming through. I woke to wind and light rain. I decided to skip my morning walk so let me take you back to to a more gentler time, last Friday,


when "Short Legs" and I did our alley walk. Here are some more photos from that walk and I have a question. Why would a Tulip Tree be budding and blooming on the 30th of November?

This tree and shadow pattern caught my eye.
Some more backyard outbuildings and a typical split redwood fence.

I have photographed this pole before but the lighting was better this time. It is an old redwood pole very similar to the two power poles that were recently removed from Laurel and Harold, square with the "hip cut" top.


And this guy has always been in the wrong light with the surrounding shrubbery too high. With the Autumn foliage die-back and receding afternoon light, I finally got him.

Sunday, December 2, 2007

The Annual Lighted Truck Parade

The musicians in front of the Guest House Museum.


The lighted town tree.

The expectant people.

On both sides of Main Street.

And here they come!



Most amazing.


And a good time had by all.

Friday, November 30, 2007

Gus West Island

A year or so ago I heard there was a photo in existance of one of the sea stacks west of the Mill Site that used to have a brothel on it. I asked around. Several people said they recalled seeing photos of it and finally, after making a pest of myself, I got a copy. As you can see there were two suspension bridges out to it. The upper one had a couple of supports to help cut down the "sway". The lower one might have been an earlier version. There are sheets blowing in the wind and one or two people, women? standing by the sheets. It is my understanding the brothel was located on this sea stack because it was out of the city limit but close to town! And I understand it was part of August "Gus" West's holdings. Hence the name. Mr. West owned many buildings in Fort Bragg including the Golden West Hotel.

The red arrow points to the "island" pretty much from the same direction the above photo was taken.

I'm sure a book could be written about those ladies and their existance on that island surround by sea, wind and waiting.

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I discovered another Fort Bragg blogger, biker, walker and photographer and she has been blogging longer than me!!

This Ain't Livin'

Great stuff and well worth checking out. I have added her to my list of favorite blogs links.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Alley Walk

My walking buddy "Shortlegs" has returned to Fort Bragg, her home town, for a week or two and suggested an afternoon walk through some of the alleys.

I must admit alleys are fun especially when the late afternoon sun is shining.


Final paint touch-up on the new Aquatic Center.

We found some weather vanes I had missed.



We ended our walk spotting another ill fated shopping cart. This one located on the south side of Cedar Street just upstream from Otis Johnson Park.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

The Lights are on but Nobody`s Home

Except for the guy in the guard shack.


But there is, and has been, a lot of activity as you will see if you have the time to read the Georgia-Pacific Specific Plan which was presented to the City Council on November 26.



Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Photo Opps




I enjoy walking around and taking photos of what catches my attention. I am inspired by various photo/blogs such as Norma's Squim Daily Photo and Larry's Wandering around Kansas.