Back from a painfully brief 3-night Mendo getaway… didn’t plan on any serious picture taking during such a short visit, but I managed to snap a few pics of things that caught my eye on Main Street the day I was leaving. How could I not, faced with the riot of floral color and sense of fun that is Mendocino in springtime. Most of the time, though, I just went with the flow, which this time happened to revolve around shopping, dining, and relaxing. Not that I’m complaining.
Mendocino was experiencing a rare heat wave during our stay. I think it was pushing 90, which for non-air-conditioned businesses, is rough. I joked to our waiter at dinner that, “We’re not used to this heat because we’re from Sacramento.” He paused for a second and said, “That’s funny.” Actually, we’re not used to this kind of heat, this early in the season. We need time to acclimate.
When we left Sacramento on Tuesday, temps were mild. They have been all spring. Upon our return, we suffered through several post 100 degree August-like days. When the heat spell broke, we couldn’t really enjoy the milder temps because they were accompanied by a maddening wind that sucked the moisture and good humor out of everything and everyone. Then, finally… clouds and a night of gentle rain. What a refreshing relief. Today, it’s cloudy and a cool 63 degrees. My bike ride is postponed until tomorrow, but that’s OK. Very bizarre, this thing called weather.
Nice landscaping outside a local Mendo shop.
The flowers, totems, gargoyles and other decorations in this local garden make it very popular with tourists.
A sun with antlers? Sure, why not.
Hey, you can never have too many gargoyles, right?
Envy. Yep, that’s what this garden inspires.
Down another little alcove, I spotted this display of driftwood garden art. It must be fairly new because I’ve never noticed it before. Fun stuff!
That’s 707-937-3869.
Hi, Angela, Really enjoyed your Mendo photos! It’s always so enchanting isn’t it? And, yes, the weather is SO weird! Thank goodness the wind stopped blowing and we got that fog. I’m sure they appreciate it down in S. Cruz.
Kathryn
Your photos of your Mendo visit are lovely. Some beautiful gardens there. I love that riot of color! (I have a dear “email friend” that lives in Sacto (Carmichael, actually) and she’s been telling me about the up and down weather you’ve had.)
It FEELS like beach weather HERE this morning.I won’t complain though…if its not hot and windy my water meter won’t be spinning me into bankruptcy.
Loved your Mendo photos as usual!
Really weird stuff…reminds me of Portland…we have a lot of weird and wonderful works of art around our city…
I love the pictures especially the drift wood.
But what is Mendo – it sounds as though it is a special tourist place. I hope you don’t mind me asking for a few words for your international visitors please!
Best wishes Sylvia (England)
Hi Sylvia,
Mendocino is a small village on a rugged stretch of the northern California coast.
90 deg F in Mendocino is inconceivable. Amazing.
We never make it up there until late in the summer. Much too late for the spring show, but still very floral. I took many of the same pictures you did when I was there last August. Oh, the most memorable flower during that visit was the ubiquitous Amaryllis belladonna. I’ve never seen so much of it in one place before. Mendocino could supply the world with Naked Ladies.
Chuck, the one time I forced myself to get up early and go take pics (alone), I got some great Naked Lady shots. I am also blown away by Mendo fairy wands, crocosmia/montbretia, and passion vines. Love the wildflowers too, of course. Oh, and SUCH fun nurseries in the area!
Hi Angela!
I grew up in Mendocino! Just 2 miles up the coast from the village. I love your photos. That is hot for mendocino. Years ago there was an old gentleman who lived in “Portugee flats” as it was called west of the village on the mesa…he built all these birdhouses and yard art with abolone shells…is that where the gargoyles are now? Thanks for the memories!
Best regards,
Philip