The Big Escape

 

Heading into the Redwoods, Northern Cal

Yes, we have temporarily left the Sacramento area.  We are currently at Huntley Park, Gold Beach Oregon...one of our favorite places to just kickback and camp, enjoying the peacefulness and friendly atmosphere that we enjoy here.  Thursday we left the upcoming 100 degree weather, drove to Bear River Casino near Eureka where we stayed the night, and continued on to Huntley Park Friday.  We will be here until Monday when we continue up the coast.  

Ferndale is known as the "Victorian Village" because its entire downtown resides on the National Register of Historic Places.  

It has been a comfortable ride.  Drove through the Clear Lake area, through the Redwoods, and a side trip to Ferndale, a quaint little town near the Bear River Casino.  Got gas at the Casino gas station paying $5.65 a gallon, way less than the $6+ offered at regular stations.

Bear River Casino

The Bear River Casino Resort is owned and operated by the Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria.The Bear River Band is a federally recognized Native American tribe composed primarily of Mattole, Bear River, and Wiyot people.

 

Friday we enjoyed a nice drive along the Newton B Drury - Redwood Scenic Parkway, in the Redwood National and State Parks.  Traffic along Highway 101 was not too bad, a few ongoing construction zones, but no long waits.  In Brookings Oregon we stopped at Fred Meyers for some gas, low $5 range, and groceries. 

Camp at Huntley Park

Arriving at Huntley Park around 2 pm, we were greeted by the park manager Shawn, who after 6 years still remembers us.  We have not moved the van since parking.  The only slight downside was needing the generator running to operate our AC yesterday for 3-4 hours due to the 90 degree weather.  FYI: when we first started coming to Huntley Park in 2017.  In 2019 we were going to be here for most of the summer...but Dad went into the hospital, then rehab.  He survived that scare, but not the one in November...we all sure miss him.  Then COVID hit, and as the years went by, we just never made it back to Huntley Park until this year.  Part of me wants to stay the remaining 3 weeks of our planned trip sitting right here...but there are other places we want to return to...and one new National Park to visit...so tomorrow we will continue up the coast.

One of my favorite Cooper Pics from Nancy's Blog

 Our hearts go out to our blogging friend Nancy who lost her BEST BUDDY Cooper to heart failure a couple days ago.  We know how hard it is to lose a dog, especially a great companion that Cooper was.  So sorry for your loss...and your hurting Nancy  Read her blog about Cooper HERE:   

 

We also heard a couple of weeks ago that Gerry, Marcia's oldest friends, passed away with Gerry's daughter Ruth holding her in bed.  A quick and peaceful passing, but it leaves a huge hole in Marcia's heart.  We just saw Gerry back on March 29th.  You can read about that visit HERE:    Above is one of my favorite pictures of Marcia and Gerry, taken back in January of 2016, Amelia Island, Florida.  YES, that is Skruffy on Marcia's lap.

 

Golden Coach RV Park & Campground

 

It looks like we were very lucky to find this RV Park in Cromberg, California.  The park has about 60 sites, and most all are currently full.  Many of the campers are either long-time seasonal or full-time users.  (Had a guy walk by with his dog and he said he lived here full-time.  However, the reservation website says the park is open from May 1st through October 31st)

Outside our front door is this view, which is where the owners Cathy and Mark live, and they store the equipment used to keep the park in shape.  

Behind us is one trailer, and they have a doggie fence out their door.  This evening they were entertaining another couple, and there were two dogs, a rather large dog and a dog Indy's size.  Perhaps she might have a doggie friend while we are here.  As we sat out a couple of times today in the partial shade of the trees, mid-80's temps, we saw about eight or nine dogs.  No grass here, but there is a patch of grass on the other end of the park.

Here is another view of the driver's side of the motorhome.  You can see we don't have a campsite next to us, it is a bunch of tables and large fire pit.  We will have to see if it is used on the weekends while we are here.

The biggest surprise were the Redwood Trees interspersed among the Fir and Pine trees.  We happen to have many Redwood Trees right at our campsite!

The Park has a small store, showers, laundry, and an official US Post Office.  I will give more information about the area in my next blog. 

We are here through Labor Day, we may extend a week or so, time will tell.  The cost, about $20 per night for the monthly rate, full hookups, just can't be beat.  And the weather is so much milder than down in the Sacramento Valley.  I think we are really going to enjoy our stay here.