Lost Coast

In Humboldt County, California's Pacific coast highway heads inland for some distance: the coastal mountains are too steep and rugged for highway or railroad building. Thus, the Lost Coast, which, for most of its length, is not accessible by road, except for the seaside hamlet of Shelter Cove. We drove there on September 24th and stayed overnight at the campground. Though the road's exposure was seldom a concern, it was the worst mountain driving I have ever done. "Steep" and "rugged" are the adjectives most commonly applied to this area, and they don't begin to describe the terrain. We were glad to see this unusual place and also glad to see it disappear in the rearview mirror.

Unusual non-volcanic black sand on the beach at Shelter Cove

Wind

Lighthouse

Fishing the big waters

Lots of fishing boats in and about the small harbor

Fog rolling in

Fisherpersons' shacks

Tractors for launching, as in New Zealand

Green tunnel

Fog