Day 6 Napa to Fort Bragg

A bit of a wet ride today and not helped by the group getting split in traffic and the 2nd half going the wrong way for a few miles. I was tail-end but both mine and georges gps' showed we were on track but mr garmin had picked a different route from the desired one.
No matter we met up some 50 mins later at the Old Faithful geyser. It is fairly regular at about 4 mins today, tho the spout was varying between 10' to 25'. Interesting to read all the info about it and how they tried to use it as an indicator of seismic activity.
There is no cafe here as such here so we headed back to the main road where we thought there was one. Nope, it wasn't one but the gps said there was one 0.2 miles to the right. Wrong again but strangely, as these things happen, it worked out for the best cause we got to go to Jimtown Store. A strange combo of deli cum souvenier shop serving excellent home made food.

The route was interesting today despite the rain. We started in the Napa valley then on to Alexander valley and finally to Anderson valley. These are all extensive wine growing areas with big houses surrounded by acres of vines. The names of many of the wines are on display on the gates or signposts and it was a shock to see one in particular - Summers Winery. Also some of the road names - Zinfandel Lane. This is my kind of country !

The valleys were getting narrower the further north we went and the low rolling hills each side getting closer in view. The trees were changing too, a lot more pines and very much less deciduous. After Anderson there was a few miles of twisty road gliding downhill underneath a canopy of pine branches, the tall redwoods easily about the 100' mark, lining the edges of the road. The smell of the pine was strong in the damp conditions. Finally the twisties ended and we joined onto Highway 1 for the last 18 miles to Fort Bragg.

The rain had stopped now and a patch of blue sky appeared out over the pacific, would the sun come out? Not sure but it did brighten and it was a pleasant spin for those last miles. Hopefully tomorrow the showers will weaken and pass as forecast, as we are crossing the Golden Gate bridge.