Before we head out from Davis, we meet up with Kirk Caldwell, who I went to High School with. Our families both went to Second Church in Pella. We had fun catching up and sharing Pella lore with Nick and John. I hope we didn’t bore them too much. Kirk is a good story teller. I found out that Mother was instrumental in his deciding where to go to college. She entered an editorial that he wrote to a national contest. He won first place and was then offered a scholarship to go to the University of Kansas. It’s nice to hear new stories. Kirk got away without a picture OR signing the table cloth.
Our destination today is Gold Beach, Oregon. The drive starts in the fertile Central Valley north of Sacramento. very straight and flat. We see rice fields at different stages of growth. One can tell by the different shades of green.
We needed to get over the mountains to get to the coast. What a change in terrain! Mount Shasta towering over Lake Shasta. Sharp drop-offs to narrow valleys far below. At this point vegetation is low and scrubby with the bright yellow lupine dotting the hills. Burned tree trunks are a reminder of the wild fires that went through the area a few years ago. A little further on, we follow one of the mountain streams. Sometimes with lots of rapids and other times looking rather peaceful. But, I think there was probably quite a current under the surface.
A bit further on much taller trees - mostly tall pines and some really impressive views. Up and down and around multiple time and then it seems like we’re really down. We stop at a little valley town for lunch but don’t find anything that excites us and breakfast is still holding us. So, we continue on. We get to Humboldt bay in the little town of Arcata. We stop at the flagship store of Holly Yasha which makes really unique jewelry. Nick and Randy have both given me gifts from there. We actually talk to both Holly and Yasha! Both very friendly. One of the employees gives us a personal demonstration of the dipping techniques in making the beautiful colors and designs. I have a deeper appreciation of the artistry and process now of my earrings.
We’re now driving North along the coast heading into Redwood country. The towns are miniscual - 323 population. Finding that local seafood restaurant is turning out to be rather elusive.
We get to Crescent City, CA. Last town in California. Our search paid off. We have a great dinner at the Boat House with a view of the ocean. Most of the menu was sushi but we choose a scallop boil. And some tempura. Oh the wait was worth it!
We get to Gold Beach about 8:00. And check into our hotel. It is right on the beach. Our room doesn’t have an ocean view but walk around a wing of the hotel and there it is. We walk down to the beach. It is quite foggy so there isn’t much of a sunset but there is a little crack in the clouds and the sun peeks through on its way down. When we checked in they mentioned a sound and light show after the sunset. There is a big outdoor screen. We go up to the welcome room where it’s warmer and out of the wind but we can still see the screen. The first half is about the area and things to do. It is nicely done. Both informative and beautiful photography. The second half is clips of Spund of Music songs and layers making designs around it. I love Sound of Music so that was fun too.
Back to our little room and nightly night.
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