Some relatives came out to escape the heat Arizona by staying at a small resort in Point Arena California. Since we didn't think we could also stay there (turns out we could have), we planned an RV trip to the Manchester Beach KOA - about 5 miles north of Point Arena.
We looked at the map for the best road. We knew it *was not* California 1 north of San Francisco. That road is twisty-turny enough to challenge the mini-cooper.
Instead we chose US-101 North to Route 128 to about 20 miles north of Manchester Beach.
So we tried it.
The road is somewhat twisty and there are a couple of sections where there is a sharp drop to the side, but it was navigable. Just not my favorite road.
We had a short jog on highway 1 south the Manchester Beach KOA. The short jog on 1 was sufficient to reassure me that highway 1 and RVs do not mix well. There was one 180 degree hairpin that a) If there had been traffic on other lane we would have been screwed and b) I wasn't real sure the coach had enough power keep going up.
But, we made it. The KOA at Manchester beach is a very nice RV park (aren't all KOAs?)
Point Arena Lighthouse is nearby and the very good and friendly Rollerville Café which claims to have the "Last coffee till Hawaii" lies on the road to the lighthouse.
Less palatable was the Bird Café and Supper Club in the town of Point Arena.
Overpriced - perhaps too sophisticated for my palate (and everyone else in our party of 6) and will not get a return visit from us. Their wine was pretty good though.
We also toured the B. Bryan Preserve just outside of Point Arena. This preserve is operated by a couple to try and preserve some species of Giraffes that are endanger of becoming extinct. They offer tours of their operation riding around in vintage Land Rovers. They also have zebras and other animals.
The highlight of the tour is the Giraffe kiss. They give you a piece of vegetable to hold in your mouth and the great and gentle creature will reach down and take it from your mouth - giving you a gentle kiss.
We highly recommend this tour and good karma that comes from supporting these people in their cause.
The only other thing of note that occurred was the failure of the front blinds on the RV. Our coach has two large, electric roller blinds on the front windshield. The solar shade - a semi transparent blind, fell as we were lowering them at the campsite. We noted then that the night shade - the opaque shade - was off its roller. Holding it we could roll it up and down. The solar shade was beyond home and with a couple of cable ties (every RVer should have a bunch of these) we tied the blind up and out of the way pending repair.
Even though we were somewhat discouraged by the 128 road, we put Manchester KOA on the return visit list. But we remained convinced there has to be a better way to get to Mendocino and Fort Bragg.
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