Claire had read about this cool old mansion in Eureka, so we started the day off there. The Carson Mansion was originally home to one of the biggest lumber barons in the US and today is home to a Mens' club...no not that kind you pervert. I know its the first thing you thought of! The Carson Mansion is considered one of the best examples of Victorian architecture in the US. Its actually a funny design as it incorporates every style of Victorian architecture including Queen Anne, the primary style, as well as Eastlake, Italianate and Stick. I'll let you decide if it works or not.
Mr Carson also had a house built across the street for his son as a wedding present. I think his son was gay since his house was called the Pink Lady. It is California. It was also a Victorian home, but only followed one style, that of Queen Anne.
As soon as we finished photographing the only two things to photograph in Eureka, we headed south towards the Redwood Forest. The weather in the morning wasn't very Californian-- chilly and cloudy, which we quickly learned was a low fog that settles into the forest.
Our destination was the Avenue of the Giants, a 32 mile scenic highway through the Humboldt Redwoods State Park. This was actually the main highway of the area until the 1960's when the 101 was re-routed around the forest.
The Avenue contains some of the biggest redwoods in the world, including a 950 year old 300 ft tree called the Immortal Tree, given that it has survived a flood, a logging attempt (not sure what that means...I guess they were quitters) and a lighting strike. There are also a few trees that you can drive through! Enjoy...
See me in the photo below? That is one tree!
Eel river snakes through the entire park
What would you pay to drive through a tree?
After the Redwoods, we continued on the coast. Again, I'm just going to let you look at pictures rather than try to add much to it. I will say that some parts of the drive were absolutely exhilarating, climbing and descending mountainous passes along the coast, no guard rails and a few hundred foot drop to the rocky coast below. Fun!!
Yes, thats the highway, it twists down to the right a bunch before climbing back up in the distance of the photo
yes, that is the highway
thought we were in Ireland for a bit
And after alllll that driving, after nearly 1700 km's and hours of sitting on our asses, we've arrived! We made quick stop in Sausalito, a fantastic little suburb just across the Golden Gate from San Fran. After a nice little tour there, we crossed the Golden Gate Bridge just 14 days before its 75th Anniversary.
Hopefully you enjoyed this one! I'm not sure if we'll update every day from San Francisco, so if we don't update, 1 of 2 things has happened...either Claire got us caught up in some gang shit, or we're too lazy to update.
A preview of whats to come....
Alcatraz (hopefully not related to Claire's gang activities)
Giants vs Cardinals game
Lots of City exploration including Union Square, the Piers & Fishermans Wharf, The Marine Area, Exploratorium, Presido & Golden Gate Park- hopefully featuring some expert archery on our parts! Oh, and the Full House house too- Claire was not impressed I forgot about this. Contrary to popular belief, they didn't live beside the park (Alamo Square) featuring the painted ladies in the background shown below. The house is a nondescript place at 1709 Broderick St surrounded by other homes that look just like it.
We're here until Friday morning, then off to Napa to visit Silverado, Hess and Andretti wineries, with the possibility of adding in Cakebread. I plan on challenging Mario Andretti to a race in Napa on Twitter. I'm expecting he won't even respond since he's heard about my mad driving skills on the way down the coast.
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