What am I doing at 6 o’clock in the morning walking around in freezing temperatures, let alone the harsh wind chill factor along the cliffs in Mendocino Town, about three hours drive north from San Francisco.
Tossing in bed all night, I couldn’t get to sleep and caught a glimpse of the purple and red skies starting to break. Automatically I grabbed the camera, my coat and a scarf and ran immediately to the cliffs. Knowing that winter skies are some of the purest skies to photograph in the morning, I knew I was in for something special. Opportunity only comes to those that sacrifice that warm bed especially on a very cold morning. And boy did I feel it immediately, with the wind whipping freezing artic blasts of air into any exposed skin not protected from the immediate rush of chill, I though again about heading back to my warm bed.
The sun is coming and casting golden light to the village on the edge of these magnificent cliffs.
Despite all the crazy thoughts, I trudged on and blocked out all thoughts of the brutal cold. Giddy with the morning scene unfolding before me and only a few like souls, I spent the entire morning explore all the various nooks and vistas along the rugged coastline.
There are a few trails leading all the way down to little coves filled with roughed up timber. I decide to just follow the coastal path along the cliffs affording wonderful vistas of the town and the surrounding areas by the water
I explore many of the trails and try to take many pictures but the cold and harsh winds just burn my fingers, fighting for refuge in my thin rain coat, which I accidentally grabbed on the way out the door.
A beautiful throne chair lit up and inviting me to just sit and admire the new day rising to great everyone brave enough to walk in this trail.
Finally morning has appeared and my stomach is grumbling, time to have a hearty breakfast. At least an inspiring morning walk deserves a big country breakfast. Don’t you think?
This was a pleasant hike and one I would not repeat again with an early morning trek so I’m glad I did this on a whim since these are the only pictures I took along the shoreline that day.
To view other scenic sundays go visit http://scenicsunday.blogspot.com/
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Most enjoyable to catch up ... hope you had a delightful time :) I laugh about your chilled fingers ... you should visit here :)
ReplyDeletelooks like a beautiful sunrise hike! So when you say brutal cold, do you mean like...65 degrees?
ReplyDeleteHi, Noel! Your photos are magnificent! The Mendocino/Ft. Bragg area is one of our favorite places to visit and photograph in California. You captured it so beautifully! Seeing your photographs just make me want to go for another visit. I am so glad that you braved the cold air and took the drive. It is always worth it. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
ReplyDeleteGrandi immagini !!!
ReplyDeleteBuona serata.
Myriam :)
Very nice photos of the bluffs above Russian beach. I have sat in that throne chair many times. Had a child born in Fort Bragg and raised my kids there. Quite a few Mendonesians have migrated to the Big Island, more than one generation of them. It used to be a great place to live, but rampant tourism drove so many of the old timers away.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nice shots. I feel cold just thinking about it.