We left Eel Creek at 8:17 AM, after Van repacked our newly acquired wine collection to handle the bumpy ride back to civilization. Pickup was easy as we did not settle in too much. It was a quick one night stop over.
Overnight guests included an RV from Oregon and several tents and trucks that seemed longer term. The camp was adjacent to an RV park which was full of permanent RV trailers, some covered in tarps. To be honest, I was having a difficulty ignoring the poverty surrounding us. I could not stop thinking of what they thought of our bright red shiny van. RI seemed so far away here. I began trying to take in the beauty all around me...
The ground was dotted in gopher holes. Quinnbo was in heaven with all the scents. Out popped a gopher from an opening at the base of a unique oak tree, with the tiniest leaves. Their shapes were asymmetrical and organic, nothing like native oak leaves in New England.
Time to depart this unique and eye opening place. I sat alert and ready to take pictures on CA 162 heading back to the 101. We passed Cavelo CA and Round Valley. Dos Rios, where two rivers meet, was half way to the 101.
Van was fascinated by the flow of the rivers as they intersected and meandered. There didn't seem to be a logical explanation other than there were many offshoots and we our twisting route crossed back and forth. However, the Eel River always remained on the passenger side of TCB? Wished one of our three family geoligists could share our adventure to help with these ponderances.
We made it to the 101 and headed north with breakfast on our minds. With the help of Google maps I found the lost Frenchmen in Garberville, CA, but Google maps didn't know that the chef had to stay home with her kids. Luckily, Deb's Greatest American Hamburgers was next door and served a homemade type breakfast that hit the spot. Breakfast and lunch- check!
On to Avenue of the Giants as Barb recommended (she and Tom explored this area in their own rented red Winnebego Solis.)
At the Visitor Center Van found some great info on a short walk we could take 5 miles away before we could check in at the campground.
The little park was an homage to the California Redwood, a species of evergreen that are as old as 500 years AD. It was magnificent. I will let the pictures tell their story.
We arrived at the park ranger office at quarter-to, and she would not sell us our pass until 2 PM even though the sites were 99% empty. A vintage VW Vanagon pulled up behind us and waited. This gave Van time to scope out a flat spot for our one night stay.
After setting up (merely putting out our trusty camp chairs and a ground mat), Van set out on a bike ride. Even at 2 PM, the forest was dark so I asked him to make sure he turned on his bike front and rear lights. Quinnbo, who was happy to be out in the fresh air, sat beside me on the mat while I knitted some rows on my entrelac shawl.
Van returned as a "happy camper" having done a ride along the sparcely populated Avenue of the Giants.
Upon return, Van opened one of our Napa finds to enjoy with some nibbles. He started a fire with wood purchased from the ranger. Canned soup from the pantry ended another successful day on the road.
