Skunk Train

Fort Bragg, California: I can't understand how driving all day is so tiring. Neither of us could stay awake for the end of the Dodger game (they lost again, and we are in Giant TV audience area, so the Giant games are blacked out). Early to bed means early to rise. DT went out on a walk and I organized the RV for departure - the Petit Peregrinus would serve as our car today. No decent ride-sharing in Fort Bragg. My Driver did capture a few nice shots on his cell phone while out on the bluff above the ocean this morning:

We headed to downtown Fort Bragg to catch the Skunk Train for a two-hour adventure. NOTE: this adventure used to be quite a bit more of an adventure as the tracks travel to Willits, California... but unfortunately there was a tunnel collapse, blocking the track, and the path is still not clear. So, the train is pushed up to a lovely clearing where a pretty pavilion has been constructed. Here guests can relax, play cornhole, hike a few trails, or sip on a cold beer for 45 minutes... then the train is pulled down the tracks to the station. The draw now is simply the scenery - towering Redwoods lining Pudding Creek. A moist green forest of green for all to enjoy. It's a big tourist draw and we are big tourists.

I had purchased regular seats, though they do have VIP tickets that include a sandwich, but there was no menu to choose from and I'm not that big a gambler. The train pulled out of the station at 11 o'clock and I would guess it was 1/3 full. The train was coined "skunky" due to previous engine fuel exhaust smelling like a skunk, and the moniker stuck. The tracks were originally built to use for moving logs to Fort Bragg, which were milled and shipped to San Francisco. The logging company brought in Chinese workers to dig the tunnels (there are several along the route), but the Fort Bragg citizens were outraged that foreigners were hired. (Geesh, somethings never change.) The logging company told the complaining citizens to dig the tunnels themselves then. The local crew worked only one day and the Chinese workers went back to work.

The train carried passengers since 1885, and US Mail until 2003.

The train has a handful of cars, with seat backs that flip to reverse direction. There are bathrooms on board, a snack car, and also an open air car with no seats.

A hiking trail follows the rail tracks and the Skunk Train also rent two-person bike-things that you can peddle up to the tunnel cave-in.

After returning to the station, we went to a recommended harborside seafood restaurant operated by an all female fishing crew. We parked our RV in an empty parking area designated for a business that was now closed (I mean, gone) and walked across the street only to find kinda another shack, a few tables, but a large display case full of fresh whole and filleted fish. A couple was exiting the establishment and told us this was just the shop - the restaurant is down the road, under the bridge. They were going to walk to the main restaurant, so we joined them. We did get a bit confused, but eventually found the Princess Seafood restaurant. The setting was very nice, with a view over the water, out to the mouth of the harbor - and they had heaters out on the deck.

I must announce, DT is tired for driving all the time, so had decided to trade in our RV for a boat. What do you think?

Thankfully the above craft was not for sale, so we must stick with RV travel. Tonight we will stay in. Maybe I will needlepoint? We continue north tomorrow - towards more Redwoods.

Until my next update, I remain, your skunky correspondent.

Campground Information: Harbor RV Park - Just a regular RV Park, but on a bluff above the ocean with a paved bike path to a point. Great views. South of town. Grass sites. We paid $55 per night.

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