Day Fourteen

Had planned to go out and get breakfast then return to pack up and check out of the hotel, but in the end we slept in and we weren't ready to go until 11am. Whilst not going out I checked how much we have so far spent on the credit card. Whilst doing so I saw that as a gift from Barclaycard I get five months of free Apple music subscription. Activated the subscription immediately. Started asking Siri to play random songs. 

Checked out. 

Had a Knightley family Saturday (night) pub quiz whilst sat in the hotel car park still connected to the hotel wifi. 

When that was done we nipped to Starbucks down the road and got some breakfast to go. Drove the half hour or so west to our only stop of the day, Bodega Bay. Whilst driving we used Apple car play to turn Siri in to a DJ by requesting songs constantly.

When we got there it was utterly rammed. People and cars everywhere. Masses of people queueing to get to get food. Turns out it is a very popular holiday destination with the Californians. We, however, were there for a different reason. Those discerning movie watchers amongst you may well know that Bodega Bay is where Hitchcock set The Birds. Carrying on our movie location visits from previous trips we decided to try and find some of the sites.

Initially we drove through the town just having a gander and ended up on the far side going up on the headland. The ranch house from the film where Mitch Brennan lives was up on this hill but was demolished years ago. Turned around and went back to the main part of the town where The Tides Wharf restaurant and shop is. Parked up and went in. This was the location of the diner in the movie although the original building has been demolished and the whole area has been changed around. The gas station is still in the same place. Spent quite some time mooching around in the gift shop. Got the prerequisite magnet.

Decided to eat, not in the main restaurant, but at the little side kiosk. Sat and looked out across the bay imagining Tippi Hedren motoring across on a small boat. Googled facts about the film whilst we ate. Discovered the owner of the Tides Wharf during the sixties, Mitch Zanich, gave Hitchcock permission to use it in the film on three conditions: 1. The town in the film had to be called Bodega Bay 2. The lead character had to be called Mitch 3. He had to have a speaking part in the film. Hitchcock met all three conditions.

Saw a seal swimming in the water as we looked out the window. Went out and took some photos on the deck across the bay.

Got back in the car and drove to Bodega five minutes up the road. Stopped at this house and took some photos.

School house

It is now a private residence but at the time it was an abandoned school house. The film crew patched it up and used it for the school in the film. You can see that here: Crows Attack the Students - The Birds

The church was also used

As we arrived there was a group of people in the middle of the road with a camera on a tripod taking a big group picture in front of the house, all posing in a mock screaming manner. Looked quite funny.

Now we have been there we can clearly see where the footage has been cut about etc as the house is nowhere near the coast. Also that the trees have grown and awful lot as the road is nowhere near as open as it was. You now cannot see any of that hill in the background.

Set off to our hotel in Sacramento which was a couple of hours away. Spent most of the journey berating Siri for not finding the right song to play. That and being stuck in traffic. Crossed the Napa river and saw lots of vineyards.  Once we hit the I80 things started to move a bit more. Got into Sacramento and entered the hotel's multi storey car park. Not much headroom. Instinctively ducked as we drove in hoping not to hear the car roof scrape on the barrier. Made it up to the guest parking floors. Got out the car. It was 36 degrees. Way hotter than anything else this holiday. Two hours earlier at Bodega it was a bit chilly!

Checked into the hotel. Went out for dinner here: The Original Mels Diner

Now back and planning our day in Sac tomorrow. Just found out the parking is free on Sundays in most areas. Result.

Ann is awake. Must have been the lie in this morning.

States visited - 4

Seals watch - high

Bird attacks - low