Sometimes I have to go away for a spell to refresh my perspective. It”s similar to coming back from a long trip and cleaning house because I notice things out-of-place that have become familiar.
Following a column I wrote about National Geographic”s role in geo-tourism on the Redwood Coast, I was invited to the first ride on the Skunk Train Art Car.
I packed for an overnight stay in Mendocino and embarked on my trip. I watched the landscape of rolling green hills morph into an umbrella of redwoods that banished the midday sun as Neil Young”s “Harvest Moon” segued into the White Stripes” “Hotel Yorba” on my iPod.
Bodies of water switched from fresh to salt.
I think we are blessed by diversity in this Golden State. We have four mild seasons, desert, ocean, mountains, rural landscape and urban hustle.
When I arrived at the Joshua Grindle Inn on Saturday, I was immediately reminded of my brother Steve”s place in Maine. Not coincidentally, I found the inn reflects the New England heritage of its original owner, Joshua Grindle, who, in fact came from Maine to make his fortune in the redwood lumber industry. Construction on the two-story farmhouse began in 1879.
Grindle lived there until he died in 1928. In 1978 the home became the first small bed and breakfast inn in the village of Mendocino.
I was anxious to see the Art Car, so I headed to Fort Bragg. I appreciate art immensely and the Art Car did not disappoint. It was approximately 85 feet of moving canvas on each side booming with color. It looked youthful, like long ribbons dancing in the wind.
The Skunk Train operates between Fort Bragg and Willits.
Robert Pinoli, owner of the Skunk Train, celebrated 125 years of continual service in a big, bold, beautiful way. In collaboration with the Arts Council of Mendocino County, Pinoli said he was proud to present the “Mobile Memento.”
The artists, one painting on each side of the car, were Casey Koerner, once from Mendocino County but now residing in San Francisco, and Mendocino artist Janet Self.
Koemer”s side depicts wildlife and landscapes of the scenery, while Self”s is a combination of vibrant colors.
On the train Self told me she painted her blouse for the maiden voyage of the Art Car, a true artist.
Pinoli described destruction from a storm as we passed a hillside of tremendous downed redwoods, a reminder of the power of Mother Nature. I could feel the temperature rise as we headed inland and drop again when we returned. My friend Joey, usually a wine guy, enjoyed a Skunk Train beer.
I also learned of a new way to explore the Noyo River Valley. Ride the Skunk Train from Fort Bragg through the redwoods to Northspur. On the return from Northspur, disembark from the train to kayak back to Fort Bragg, 2.5 miles on the Noyo River Estuary. To learn more about it, go to www.skunktrain.com or www.liquidfusionkayak.com.
After the train ride Joey and I went to “The Restaurant” in Fort Bragg, where I enjoyed a dinner of a dozen raw oysters.
When I returned to the Joshua Grindle Inn, I entered the parlor where a book from a Lake County winery was proudly displayed. I was told that Jim Fetzer was doing a winemaker”s dinner that evening. It made me feel right at home.
In the morning, after an insanely delicious and healthy breakfast, I checked out and made sure to visit Glass Beach before my departure. I talked to the ranger who was inspecting abalone and inhaled the sea air one last time.
When I returned to Lake County I noticed the wildflowers along the hillsides and the breeze nudging the water on Clear Lake in to tiny white caps. It was good to go away and it was good to be back with clearer lenses.
To learn more about the Skunk Train visit www.skunktrain.com.
“The clouds were building up now for the trade wind and he looked ahead and saw a flight of wild ducks etching themselves against the sky over the water, then blurring, then etching again and he knew no man was ever alone on the sea.” ? Ernest Hemingway from “The Old Man and the Sea”
Mandy Feder is the Record-Bee news editor. She can be reached at mandyfeder@yahoo.com or 263-5636 Ext. 32.
