We start heading north on
Hwy 1 along the coast on a gorgeous Fall day. Our destination is the
San Juan Islands as we believe this third time is the charm. On two previous attempts we had to turn back first for vehicle failure and the second due to a ferry strike. Fall is the best time for seeing the Pacific Northwest as the weather is most likely to be sunny and pleasant.
 |
| Cliffs by Tunitas Creek |
|
|
|
 |
| Pumpkins ready for Halloween |
|
|
 |
| New tunnel bypass at Devil's Slide |
|
It's such a nice day, we stop at the rest area at the north end of the Golden Gate. As it's after the summer tourist rush and we're here on a weekday, we are surprised to see the parking lot packed with vehicles and visitors. Peter with his amazing parking karma, snags one of the primo parking spaces with spectacular views of the bridge. We quickly surmise most visitors crowding around the view point are from foreign countries and start a guessing game of where they are from... Europe, Asia and who knows?
We are most amazed by the number of people taking selfies and going to downright dangerous lengths to get their shots. The two women in the photo below are standing on the retaining wall which drops down hundreds of feet to rocks and the San Francisco Bay. We begin to wonder how many people are seriously injured or manage to kill themselves from selfie induced distractions. Not long after, stories of
increasing selfie deaths start making the news. I simply do not get the selfie craze.
 |
| Selfie takers taking chances |
|
|
|
Back on the road, we drive through Marin County and then break free of the urban areas surrounding the San Francisco Bay.
 |
| Marin helicopter commuters |
|
 |
| Finally - open land |
|
 |
| Ahhh - grassy fields with oaks |
|
On the recommendation of friends in Arcata, we stay at
Myers Flat Giant Redwoods RV Camp, alongside the
Eel River. After settling into a nice campsite, we take an evening walk along the river. It's nice to see a decent amount of water flowing after so many years of drought. After a good night's rest, the morning greets us with another beautiful day.
 |
| Eel River as the evening shadows deepen |
|
 |
| Morning sunshine |
|
 |
| Camped at Myers Flat |
|
Back on the road we are treated with more views of the Eel River and stretches of giant old growth redwoods along the
Avenue of the Giants.
 |
| Eel River with a backdrop of fog |
|
|
 |
| Tunnel of trees through the forest |
|
Just south of
Eureka, the fog starts to move in adding a sense of mystery to the area.
We stop in
Arcada (home of
Humbolt State University and the first all
Green Party City Council) to see our friends Robin and John. Peter met Robin during the 1980's when they both worked for
Telesensory Systems, which specialized in technological aids for the blind and people with low vision. After treating them to lunch at the
Big Blue Cafe, we wander around the main town square.
 |
| Downtown Arcada |
|
|
 |
| John, Robin and Peter in photo alley |
|
 |
| Arcada Plaza |
|
|
|
Back on the road, we take the
Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway exit for the scenic drive through
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Almost immediately, we start seeing warning signs about
elk on the roadway. Sure enough, we soon see large numbers of
Roosevelt elk on the sides of the road.
 |
| Roosevelt elk |
|
 |
| Beware of Elk! |
|
 |
| more elk |
|
Although we have taken this scenic route before, the giant redwoods never cease to amaze.
Just north of the park, we cross the bridge over the
Klamath River. Either side of the entrances to the bridge are large statues of California's golden bear - the grizzly, which are unfortunately only barely here anymore. These bears were once so plentiful in California they were commonly seen on beaches feasting on seal and whale carcasses as reported by Richard Henry Dana, Jr in his classic
Two Years Before the Mast. Now, other than appearing on the California flag, they are only rarely sighted in remote mountainous areas.
 |
| Bridge over Klamath River |
|
 |
| California Golden Bear - the grizzly |
|
 |
| Klamath River |
|
Between the Klamath and the Oregon boarder, there is a plethora of roadside attractions eager to accept tourist dollars, including an Indian Casino,
Sasquatch sightings, and the
Trees of Mystery predominately featuring
Paul Bunyon and Babe his Blue Ox.
 |
| Indian Casino |
|
 |
| Sasquatch wandering into local cafe |
|
 |
| Paul Bunyon & Babe |
|
 |
| The beaches take on a definite Oregon look with haystack rocks as we near the border |
|
|
|
LOVE Arcata. Could see myself living there. Luckily we have good friends who do!
ReplyDeleteYup - Arcata is a great town. The "Santa Cruz" of Northern California. We have always enjoyed stopping at the North Coast Coop http://www.northcoast.coop/ for their wonderful cheeses and breads + other goodies.
ReplyDeleteYou two are such superb tour shepherds. Love your choice of photos and commentary.
ReplyDelete