Getting a fog fix. Emerald Triangle

Hot as blazes up in Shasta, and had a party to attend between Bodega and Occidental, so we set out on a scenic round trip through the Emerald Triangle. I-5 to Redding was just an oven, and still hot out 299 as night fell. I hadn't counted on the Flat Fire having burned right down to 299, so we followed a pilot car through that section. At one point, as we wondered at spot fires all over the mountainside ahead of us, a sudden avalanche of orange fireballs appeared off my fender, and splashed into the dry grass in the ditch as we passed. Today, returning, we saw where that new fire had spread a little after we passed! We got out of the control area and the smoke and found a quiet flat spot on a back road for the night.

Count on about 4 hours to run Redding to Arcata with the road work that is being done.

The Avenue of the Giants, and wine country heading down 101 were a refreshing change from the side of the volcano at home. In one stretch there were 5 full sized bill boards advertising Cannabis growing supplies and equipment. Strange new world. It's all about getting high. There isn't enough dirt in Sonoma County not planted in grapes to play a game of touch football. There must be a tipping point?

From Healdsberg we took the winding Old Redwood Highway toward the coast.

I grew up in this area, but it was a surprise to me that in 2012 I needed an appointment to drive through Guerneville on a Saturday morning! It took about half an hour to get past the ONE stop light.

This was about as close as we got to SF and already it was way too crowded. Guerneville has lost its charm, but it is plenty good enough for the multitudes that now throng its sidewalks.

The party was in the Redwoods, well above the crowds along the river, hand made homes, chickens, goats and tree houses for adults.
This was minutes from the town of Bodega which hasn't changed much since "The Birds".

With in-law commitments out of the way, we began to meander back to the north along highway one.

I'm getting old, but I really wouldn't want to do that drive in anything larger than my Dodge Diesel and 8 foot cabover. I swear I cracked a headlight running into my own arse-end on some of those switchbacks.

We stopped the first night north of Fort Bragg. I was in sixth grade when my Dad was a Ranger at McKerricker Beach State Park. It's $35.00 a night now! It is one of the most spectacular sections for my taste. Sea Ranch would be OK if I won the lottery. The picture of the earth sheltered house is at Sea Ranch.

On that note we did see a windswept flat LOT with the highway between the lot and the view, and the POSTED price was 3.2. (Between Bodega Bay and Jenner)

We intended to make it home the following day, but found a cell signal and made the calls to extend one day. The next night, Monday, found us meeting nothing but campground-full signs. The little Humboldt County campground at Big Lagoon was the "find". $18 bucks for seniors and vets. They have a water problem, and have only porta-potties. There is potable water for camping. There is no turn-around for trailers or space through the trees for large motorhomes, so it is mostly a tent camp. I had to take the last picture. It looks like an escaped Boojum!

We had, thus far, been gifted with all the sunny and foggy and mixed moods of the north coast for many miles. Shortly after dark we were gifted with the region's only remaining major "mood". The lightning flash was so bright that, though my eyes were closed, I started counting immediately. Four and a half miles away began a thunderclap that literally rocked the camper on its suspension, and it went on and on and on. Then the rain...then our previously dark curtains were strobing with stray flashlight beams from every direction. By midnight, still raining, many a vacationer had rolled-up a soggy tent and gone somewhere else.

We blessed our little space capsule, enjoyed the show, and this morning headed home.

Again, the little restaurant at the pier in Trinidad fails to disappoint. There may be other good places to eat there, but I will still go out of my way for their food. It isn't "wonderful", but solid, consistent and a good value. The view is only world class. We had yummy fish and chips last night, and bacon and eggs this morning. I'm going to post some pictures then take my body in for an oil change!





















[Edited on 7-18-2012 by vgabndo]

It looks like it's still too early for blackberries on the coast.

On the way to your part of the world (I can't get enough of Modoc county) I found some blackberries around Willows that may have been the best I've ever tasted. It was pure sugar. That's how sweet they were.

[Edited on 7-18-2012 by Skipjack Joe]

One of my favourite parts of California.....thanks for the trip