The California Coast

We started the day in southern Oregon, and spent the first few hours checking out several small towns with quaint historic districts.  The weather started out dismal, but very quickly cleared to a cloudless blue sky.  The names of most of the small towns we saw are already a blur, but my favorite was probably Jacksonville.  The traffic moved slowly enough that we got a few pictures of the restored downtown from the car.

The purpose of our lazy loop through Oregon was so that we could visit a few chocolate makers and a winery – time well spent!  The wineries in southern Oregon are tucked into valleys surrounded by severe-looking hills – this time of year they are covered in dried out grass with a few scraggly trees.  The bareness of the mountains is quite a contrast to the lush vineyards.  While driving through these valleys we looked up and saw a group of skydivers that appeared to be circling endlessly in the updrafts from the mountains.

We eventually headed southwest and entered California at its extreme northwest tip in the Smith River National Recreation Area.  The views along Route 199 were jaw-dropping!  The river was clear blue and cut through a sharp valley.  It was ‘two hands on the wheel’ (and ‘both eyes on the road’) driving, but it was a blast!  Before long we entered Redwood country.  We took plenty of pictures of the massive trees, but there’s probably no way to appreciate their size or beauty without seeing them. We slowly meandered through the forest towards the ocean; when we reached Crescent City we were greeted with a beautiful view of the ocean. 

From there we drove down the coast on Route 101, at times passing through Redwood National Park.  Alternating between views of the ocean and the trees, there was never a dull moment.  At one overlook by the ocean we heard barking seals down below.  A few moments with the binoculars and we spotted them – they were huge and had climbed a good distance up some very steep rocks.  I wish we’d seen them make that climb!  In the Redwood National Forest we came across a herd of Elk – they were less than 20 yards from the car!

We reached Eureka, California at sunset and hoped to the stay the night but there were no rooms to be found.  We back-tracked north to Arcata, but had similar luck.  Driving east about 5 miles we found the Blue Lake Casino and Hotel, which had rooms.  Turns out, they’d only been open 2 months, so everything was nearly brand new and very nice.  It was also half the price of a room in Eureka.  So, we stayed in our first Indian Casino Hotel of the trip!  And, if we return on our birthdays they will give us $5 in free chips – Bonus!