Further down the Oregon coast, we ended up in a hotel outside of Brandon that was on a bluff overlooking the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge. The rocks don't really qualify as islands (no trees), but there are birds everywhere.

In the morning, we couldn't resist a long walk on the beach before continuing south. From here south (all the way down the California coast), we encountered smoke and ash from the Biscuit File that destroyed much of the Siskiyou National Forest in southwestern Oregon.

Once into California, we took a side trip up Highway 199 for a bit because we remembered it as a good motorcycle road (our memories aren't completely shot). We couldn't pass up a small sign pointing to a biological exhibit that turned out to be a grove of carnivorous plants!

The California Pitcher Plant thrives in serpentine bogs where few other plants can tolerate the heavy metals and poor soil quality. They get their required nutrients by trapping and digesting flies and other bugs.

Further down the coast, outside of Klamath, is the Trees of Mystery. In the parking lot is a 49 foot tall statue of Paul Bunyan and his blue ox Babe. There is also an excellent Native American museum next to the gift shop.

On the walk through the trees (mostly pines and fir, but a few redwood), there are many interesting configurations like this natural 'altar' where weddings take place. There are also many large carvings and wooden statues.

Recently opened, is the Sky Trail, a gondola ride up to the top of the ridge through the upper canopy of the evergreens. It provides a very interesting perspective. From the deck at the top, you can just see the ocean, and a few redwoods standing above the other trees (assuming the fog has lifted).

On one of our two trips to the top, we chose to return by way of a steep path that winds down the side of the ridge. It takes considerably longer than the gondola ride down, but provides a different viewpoint of the trees.

After leaving Highway 101 near Leggett, we hung a west onto the northern end of California's Highway One that runs down the coast. It is a superb motorcycle road for most of it's length if you can choose your time to avoid vacationers and houses on wheels.

In Mendocino, we stopped at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. The dahlias were in full bloom and gave us plenty of opportunity to practice our macro photography. There were new bursts of color around every turn in the path.

In the greenhouse, the begonias were in their prime! The gardens are pretty impressive, particularly in view of the fact that it is a self-supporting government entity (part of the Mendocino Coast Recreation and Park District).

After leaving Mendocino, we continued south on Highway One, turning inland at Jenner. A quick trip through the wine country, around the delta, and across the valley brought us to Highway 49 near San Andreas where we turned north for home.

Our Pacific Northwest Tour turned out to be another wonderful escape. We met many wonderful people and experienced areas we had not been before, both attributes of a successful adventure.