Monday, February 11th 2013
Eureka to Crescent City
Very similar morning, we left the
motel, made a quick stop at the bagel store where we got some
breakfast and were heading out of Eureka. We got gasoline for 4.17 a
gallon (really hurtful) and left the town. There were some clouds,
but we were hoping that they would be gone in no time. We stopped at
small town of Trinidad, where we did not really find much. Quick stop
by tho overlook of the harbor (really tiny one) and a bagel to eat.
Nice place to have a breakfast.
We got back to 101 (as many times
before and after) and drove to Patrick's Seal Point State Park. It
was pretty close to the road, there was a volunteer at the gate and
as well in the visitor's center. Looks like State Parks do not have
even enough money for a park ranger. The park was relatively small,
so we drove to the small hike to the Wedding rock. The fog was
disappearing and it started to look like nice day. We walked to the
rock and were amazed by the views and crashing waves. It was
incredibly beautiful and magical. Still within the park, we drove to
the beach and walked down to it. On the bottom, the stairs were
missing, but the beach was pretty.
At the park, we were trying to figure
out our plans and kind of decided to skip some things and see them
next day. We were heading to the Redwoods visitor's center. Not many
cars on the road. The center was empty, we asked about the sites one
guy – volunteer. He was kind of funny, with attitude. He told us
what we should try to see etc. and after that we left. We were more
less sticking to our plan and heading up north. When we left 101 for
scenic drive, we saw five elks hanging out around the road. Even when
we stopped they did not move.
Along the way, we saw this funny sign
with those desirable gas prices. Almost in Oregon. Funny. The scenic
drive was really nice. We thought that this road should be called
Avenue of Giants (not the real one). We were going to stop next day,
or at least planning to do so.
We crossed the Klamath river and turned
on small road to drive to Klamath river overlook. It was about two
miles of twisty road, going up and up. The parking lot was closed (as
we saw after parking along the road) and grass was being trimmed.
Strange. The view was great.
There was Indian park Trees of Mystery
(they even have skyline). We stopped as we were drawn by the great
art in the parking lot. We were not doing the walk and skyline, but
we went to the store and the museum, it was somewhat interesting (the
museum). The store was just weird, but what you can do.
We continued along the freeway 101. We
made few quick stops, but we wanted to get to the area of Crescent
City. We had picnic lunch on the beach watching some crazy people
running from the waves. And still heading north. We stopped by the
vista point and got a glimpse of the city. For the moment we were bay
passing the city.
Jedediah Smith State Park. That was the
destination with the old growth redwoods forest. We drove through the
small part of the town, saw goofy building of casino and headed
towards the forest. It really looked like we were lost. The road
changed, it was basically one lane dirt road through the forest.
About five miles. It was really amazing drive.
Stout trail was off this funky road. It
was funny as the road to the trail head was paved and there was nice
paved parking lot. There were four cars, so we were not alone. It was
relatively short and really pretty. This was old growth with some
huge trees.
From morning, J. wanted to see tide
pools and star fish. She was fussing about it in the visitor center
and the older guy told us that by Crescent City we might be able to
see some. We left the forest road and got on the normal road. We
followed the river and got on 101 again. We were about ten miles from
Oregon border. Almost immediately we left the freeway and used some
smaller road. We even found a prison (by drive by). We saw industrial
side of Crescent City (not pretty). Finally, we got to the coast. We
saw a light house in distance on the hill partly in the ocean.
We drove to the parking lot next to the
light house. We walked to the light house (still operated and
manned). It looked better from the distance. Between the land and the
light house was a beach, peace of it was sandy, the rest was rocky
with a lot of puddles (tide pools possibly). We started to walk on
the rocks looking for some sea monkey business. It did not took too
long when I saw first star fish. After that we discovered many sea
animals (star fish included). It was pretty interesting, we even saw
(after a while too many) crabs (tiny ones) in the water moving.
The sun was almost lying on the ocean.
We drove to the marina (or something like that) to see the sunset
again. We heard sea lions yapping and coast guard was getting the
boat on the trailer. It was pretty. There was hill at the end of the
land, so we walked up to see the sunset. It was somewhat deceiving
(there were three peaks), so we pretty much missed the sun
disappearing. It was still incredible site, the waves crushing and
rolling, two man made walls making the harbor quieter and safer and
few lights in the distance. End.
