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.

Signs of the Times

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!

More Alley Insights

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

"Sure. No problem."

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!

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.

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.

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.