Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Road Trip

We enjoyed a quick road trip last week. Jerry had business in Eureka and I was able to ride along. The truth of the matter is, that I was along as driver so Jerry could work on his phone and computer as we traveled. He is quite the multi-task er, several deals going on at once.

We drove west to the Redwoods and then north to Eureka. The redwood forests are majestic.
I pulled over here to get a picture of the sunset through the trees.


We didn't have time this trip to get out and hike. This narrow winding stretch of road was so peaceful and beautiful with very little traffic.




Our room in Eureka was lovely. We had a nice jacuzzi in the room, comfortable beds and just a short walk to the waterfront.



After settling in our room, we went exploring. We found a restaurant/lumber museum that we thoroughly enjoyed. Here Jerry shows me old lumberjack boots or "corks". He's never worked as a lumberjack but his brother is one.





A nice display of antique cooking stove, supplies, pans and an antique cook.






We ate in this old Roadhouse, dinner was good and served family style. There were only about 9 diners and we were the last to leave. It was very active in the late 1800s and served three meals daily to the lumberjacks. I enjoyed reading several pages of fascinating history and stories.







I seem to find strange signs in the places I visit.








I walked to the water and this was the view. I was told that the smoke was steam from the paper plant or mill.
Jerry spent the day in meetings at the power plant. I spent the day walking around town in perfect weather.










Heading home we drove several miles north of Eureka and then headed east towards Redding.
Leaving early, the air was chill and patches of fog hovered above the forests. Jerry drove through the mountains allowing me to enjoy the scenery.
















Small quaint, mountain villages nestle between the highway and mountains along the route. Patches of blue sky peak through pillowing clouds of fog. The forests were very dense and dark.
Perfect residential area for...........






BIG FOOT!














Yes! We stopped at the Bigfoot Museum. But to my tremendous disappointment, it was CLOSED!






It was disturbing driving through this large area devastated by a previous wildfire. Looking carefully, white tubes can be seen protecting the tiny replacement saplings.







Almost back to the valley; the foothills and Whiskeytown Lake. That line of buoys seen above, is holding a 100 foot deep rubber curtain in place. The curtain separates the shallow warmed water from the deeper cold water. After building the reservoir, it was found that the water temperatures were too warm for the successful spawning of trout/salmon. The curtain has helped the fish survive.















One parting shot, and then my turn to drive the rest of the way home. Cell service back, Jerry once again busy on his phone and computer.
I'll be back one day to visit that Bigfoot Museum and to hike in the Redwood Forest. Who knows, I may even be the next one to film Bigfoot.....















7 comments:

Karen Deborah said...

Wow what a totally cool post. You do such a great job documenting your adventures. STINKIN SPECTACULAR SCENERY! I love the California mountains and redwoods. Where we used to live Big Basin Park is close by and it has giant redwoods. They are even more incredible in person are they not?

The antique cook cracked me up.

Jenn said...

You guys go to the coolest places! I should take a trip around Illinois and post pictures...you guys would see ummm...corn fields, wheat fields, cows and highways. That's about it. :P

The antique cooking display made me think of camping, and camping made me think of Jerry's campfire cobbler...and that reminded me that I attempted to make some cherry cobbler without a campfire at Kayleigh's request. Needless to say, she voted that Jerry's Campfire Cobbler is still the BEST dessert she's ever had.

Lucy said...

My husband and I moved up to Eureka area around 1970, he was going to go to Humbolt State. Beautiful country, too cold for us Fl kids and the tsunami signs scared me to death. We decided to drive South and ended up in Brookdale (Santa Cruz Mountains) thanks for the memories!

Courtney said...

Lovely pictures...sounds like a good time!

Anonymous said...

maybe we can visited BigFoot in a couple weeks? How far is it?

Anonymous said...

Love Your Pictures and the trip, sure sounds like one I would love to take, no hurry, take lots of time. See it all.

"Hi"to all. xo, too

Debbie in CA : ) said...

Ooooooh! If I'm not at home I want to be back in the redwoods of Northern California. As Karen Deborah and I were neighbors, we have a shared love of those big beauties. I actually have a redwood in my gardens, planted by the previous owner -- an Arbor Day sapling his daughter brought home from school. It towers over our house. When we moved in during a HOT July day I saw the redwood and cried tears of joy . . . like finding a welcome card with memories from where we left. (Did I mention I had NO desire to move . . . but God called and I answered in obedience? Shall I add that I am blissfully happy here in my English Cottage in the Sierras? God knew . . . )

Your pics are fabulous. I'm ready to set out for Mendocino right now! : D

Always fun to see what you are up to on those Dusty Trails. XO!