We started to Clear Lake and the Mendocino National Forest, travelling south on Hwy 101 and veering off to the Hyw 1 so as to visit California’s Ft. Bragg. Warning, the 101 will go from divided freeway to a 35mph speed limit on a 2 lane street almost without warning. At least once I thought I took an exit by accident or was beamed up by aliens. Going over to Ft. Bragg meant another up and down, Indiana Jones ride but we took that in stride.

We didn’t spend a lot of time in Ft. Bragg and I am sure we missed some great places a block over from the main road. I was getting tired, my back (leg) heart and I was starting to see too much traffic.

It took a couple of tries to find the right road to the forest (It was “Main Street” – of course.). The Mendocino National Forest, hmmm, in a word, don’t go. . . or at least don’t visit the Upper Lakes District as this area is ruled by Road Warriors on dirt bikes, dune buggies, ATV’s and anything else on which you can put a noisy, smokey, polluting motor and rev it up incessantly, I guess to confirm it is actually still working.

The only advantage to these pesky adolescent brained idiots is that they drive all the bears away so no worrying about bear precautions. Oh, and Debbie adds they leave behind nice walking paths. Ok, I’ll chill a little . . . most likely, underneath that Darth Vader helment, is someone’s good neighbor.

Seriously, there are a lot of people having a lot of fun in this area so it may be better to check out other areas besides Middle Lakes Campground.

Before our heroes ride off into the sunset, here is a secret message for the grandkids – for the grandkids . . .