Monday, August 22, 2011

Mendocino's Skunk Train


Over the weekend, we took the Skunk Train in Mendocino County.  Mendocino is a chilly coastal region north of San Francisco.  Two-thirds of the area's income derives from marijuana cultivation and Murder She Wrote was filmed there.

The Skunk Train follows the route of 19th century lumberjacks.  It connects the coastal town of Fort Bragg with the inland town of Willits via a spectacular coastal redwood forest.

We took the steam train from Fort Bragg to the midpoint of Northspur.  It's 21.3 miles long and the round trip (including a 30 minute stop at Northspur for lunch) took about four to five hours.

The train car with the psychedelic paint scheme is for adults only.  Admission costs more but you get unlimited mimosas and wines.






You can buy souvenirs here as well as lunch, so long as it's a hot dog or burger.


The Northspur to Willits leg is serviced by this lone diesel powered railcar.


The 21.3 mile trip uses 2,000 gallons of water/steam.  Here is our train being reloaded with water for the return trip.








Here is that diesel car.  It's very futuristic looking, in a retro way.





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