Redwood Coast Cabins and RV

We enter into California on a rainy day, the terrain becomes less hilly as we drive south, but the speed limit increases to 65 mph. (55mph. for vehicles with 3 or more axles – that’s us thankfully) on the Hwy 101, although it is now 2 lanes each way and on the uphills they have added a third lane – smart!

Entering into the Redwoods National park along our drive we stop for lunch at Trees of Mystery in Klamath California.  It is a touristy spot with a gondola, gift shop, and motel, as well as hiking trails and there is a large parking area for buses and RV’s.  On two occasions we had been told to at least go see the museum if we pass by because it is the largest Native American collection in the world.  It is impressive with representation of tribes all over North America.

We reached our destination at Redwood Coast RV and set up quickly. The park is full which is surprising as it is Thanksgiving and we thought most people would be with family.

Next day, it is still raining hard so a road trip is in order.  We drive into nearby Eureka, its Thanksgiving and raining hard, all the shops are closed so we have the place to ourselves.  We walk along a few streets in the old town where there are a lot of nicely restored Victorian-era buildings, and the boardwalk along the port where there are memorials to coast guard members posted all along.  Across Humboldt bay is Samoa where we discover Samoa Dunes recreation area.  At the end of a sandy penninsula between the ocean and the bay the area is all sand dunes, ATV trails and wild beach. The north and south jetty’s extend far out into the ocean across the bay where the waves pound the rocks.  A small campground is available on the bay side at the Samoa Boat ramp – it is really just a parking lot and would be very exposed in bad weather.  There is also a naval base and airstrip nearby. No pictures.  It was raining so hard we didn’t want to take the camera out.

After a sleepless night due to high winds, pounding rain, and barking dogs, we woke again to a dreary day.  We drove to Ferndale to check our a Victorian town.  The entire town is a historic landmark.
 One of the few white Victorian Era homes 
The Ferndale Museum was $4 well spent.  We had the place to ourselves and were treated to a tour by one very knowlegable volunteer who had lived and worked in the area all his life.  The museum has great exhibits of the victorian era, a very interesting seismograph exhibit (which the museum staff keep updated with recent records of earthquakes), and an interesting exhibit of farming and blacksmith machinery.  We saw our first ever “snowshoes for horse” and “egg carton makers”.    Our tour guide explained that the economic boom for the area was the quality creamery’s, which had the best milk processing practices, therefore producing the best butter, which was a goldmine for the area.   He also explained how the town remains a heritage site due to a generous rich town lady who donated money to restore the buildings and keep the town ‘on the map’ so to speak.   Originally all the buildings on main street were white, but after the donation, the town did a 3 day blitz and restored, painted and decorated the historic building colourfully, .   There are a couple buildings that still retain the original white.