We wound our way north from Olema, going through the little coastal communities of Tomales, Jenner and Bodega Bay. Very winding, twisty roads! But, it was a gorgeous, clear day, and the views of the ocean were amazing! We saw more happy cows, and beautiful rolling hills, along with steep mountains and deep ravines! There was definitely some white-knuckle driving, or, at least, there was some white-knuckle passenging!
There was a field trip of probably 5th grade kids visiting the fort. They were dressed in Russian garb, with Russian names, and were doing crafts and pretending that they lived at the fort in the early 1800's. They all seemed to be having a great time.
The fort was restored in the '80's - they did a great job! There is one original building remaining, and it's held up pretty darned well. We probably spent an hour at the fort and had a great walk along the ocean bluff before we got back in the car.
Heading back down Hwy 1 south is such a beautiful drive! We pulled over a couple of times for some photo ops, and just to watch the waves for awhile. Fortunately, it was breezy, but didn't have the wind on Wednesday that we'd had on Monday and Tuesday.
We had lunch in Bodega Bay at a little place called the Boat House. I had calamari and Lee had fish and chips!! They were fabulous! We learned that this coming weekend was the last weekend for cod, but that November first begins the giant squid season! Can't imagine hooking one of those things!
We stopped at the Muir overlook for amazing views of San Francisco, including the Pt. Bonita lighthouse. From there we went to the Pelican Inn! The Pelican Inn is located at the entrance to Muir Beach, and is billed as the most authentic pub outside of jolly old England! So, of course we had to go in and have a beer! The inside is very quaint - very pub-like, and we've decided that a day trip to Muir woods, Muir beach and lunch at the Pelican Inn are on our agenda in the near future.
Then came the final leg of our journey home - back to Hwy 101,and across the Golden Gate bridge! Unfortunately, this was not the best part of our trip! The bay bridge had been closed for repairs and 1.2 million people were creeping along 101, trying to get to San Francisco. From the time that we got on the highway until we got across the bridge was over an hour! Very, very sad! We were SO thankful that we wouldn't be repeating that trip the next day, as most of the other bridge-goers probably would!
But, back to home-sweet-home at about 8:30!
A wonderful trip! : )
Fort Ross is also on the register of National Historic places!
This view of the fort is on the ocean-side, looking back.
Inside the fort. There are cannons placed around, and in the far left corner you can see one of the two story blockhouses. They were also equipped with cannons. Apparently the fort was very effective, as the Spanish were unable to evict the Russians.
The building to the far right is the Kuskove home - it's the only remaining original structure. Ivan Kuskov was in charge of the fort and all of it's ventures. He lived there with his wife and 7 children.
This is a view of the northwest blockhouse, officials quarters and the chapel. You can also see the well to the left.
The Kuskov House.
Fort Ross cove. This is where supplies were delivered, as well as goods loaded onto ships to be sent back to Russia.
The Sonoma coast - just beautiful! We had a wonderful drive down the coast. Life is good!
You'll have to expand this picture taken from the Muir overlook, to see the San Francisco skyline and Pt. Bonita lighthouse.
We didn't take any photos of the traffic jam on Hwy 101.......
1 comment:
Hi guys..this fort was for WHEAT to feed the Alaskan Russians..but the wheat didn't do too good on account of the wheat rust. The Russians brought Aleuts with them to hunt out the California sea otters too. This was an ill-fated economic adventure..they eventually closed shop and headed back home to Russian Alaska..with SITKA being the center of Russian Alaska life...this is also when the first "Russian" horse mad its way to California, and then eventually Nevada, and through some natural selection, came to be "curly haired"...tough darned things that could withstand being turned out to survive on their own during harsh Sierra Nevada winters.
HAD they gotten a good wheat crop off the ground, we'd might not have heard about "Seward's Folly" and perhaps the single best land purchase in the history of these united states..what dividends that has paid, but of course, history is written by the victor and not the victim. Had the Russians gone up the columbia, they'd have discovered the Pallouse Country of the Columbia basin and history would have been A LOT different...and they'd have had their sturgeon caviar t'boot. BUT, the Columbia Bar is a buggah to cross...
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