Richard and I spent a wonderful week in California August 14-21. Our main purpose was to attend my 30th High School Reunion from Arcata High. However, we managed to fit an amazing amount of driving, visiting, seeing special places from my past, and even cattle driving and got to enjoy cool, damp weather at the same time! What a glorious vacation!
Day one, August 14—Richard actually arrived in California on Friday the 11th to spend the weekend with an old buddy, doing manly stuff! I flew in Monday afternoon, Richard picked me up in the rental car, and we were off! First we drove up I5 to Williams and then over on Hwy 20 to Ft. Bragg. Click here for photos of day one.
On day two, we drove from Ft. Bragg on Hwy 1 back to Hwy 101, then stopped several times to enjoy the Redwood groves along that area. We ate lunch here at Williams Grove. Then we cut over at Weott on Hwy 211 to Honeydew and Petrolia. We tried to stay in the wonderful old motel Mom and I stayed at in Petrolia in 1997. I remember we had a hard time convincing the owner to rent us a room back then, and it’s evidently under the same management, as she didn’t want to (and didn’t!) rent us a room this time either. So, we (well, Richard!) drove on to Ferndale. After that all day drive on mostly hairpin curves, Richard was done driving! Since the Humboldt County fair is in Ferndale, we went to Fortuna and got the last room in town. Click here for more photos of day two.
On day three we drove right from Fortuna north on Hwy 101 to Orick and then to the Bald Hills Ranch where I lived for several years as a child. It holds a special place in my heart and memories, and I try and see it every time I’m in Northern California. We spent most all day walking around the ranch and then drove back south to a lovely dinner in Trinidad overlooking the bay there. Then we drove on to Eureka to stay with my classmate Leslie. Leslie used to come out to the Bald Hills Ranch when she was younger, so we had a lot to talk and reminisce about! Click here for more photos of day three.
On day four we met up with Rich Hunt and spent the morning visiting with him and seeing his and Dean’s operation in the Arcata Bottoms. Rich even let Richard open gates and drive cattle. Richard loved it!!!!! In the afternoon, Richard and I drove north on Hwy 101 again to Gold Bluffs Beach. Richard had been through Northern California about 30 years ago with some buddies, had camped at Gold Bluffs Beach, and wanted to see it again. I thought I hadn’t ever been there or Fern Canyon, but Mom told me we used to go there all the time! So much for memories! After that, we drove back to Arcata and had a wonderful dinner with Rich and Carolyn. Then it was back to Leslie’s house in Eureka. Click here for more photos of day four.
Friday we drove around Arcata, saw the high school, saw the Preston Place, and then met Dr. LR and Peggy Douglas at the Ingomar Club (or Carson Mansion) for lunch. It’s a members only club, and you have to be invited by a member to eat there. It was a wonderfully special treat for Richard and I. We had a great meal and wonderful visiting with Doug and Peggy. Thanks so much! After lunch we headed south to Ferndale and the races at the Humboldt County Fair where our class “Mixer” was. We noticed that the first three races were only 220 yards, and we assumed they were Quarter Horses. The horses paraded onto the track, and I thought “hey, that first horse has a mule pony horse.” Then we noticed they all had mule pony horses. Then we realized, no, the mules were racing! What a kick! Richard had never seen mules race at a “real” racetrack before! We sponsored Race 5, and here we are in the winner’s circle! Some of the people looked really different, and some looked so exactly the same it seemed like the years melted away. I’m not sure which group I fell into, guess I didn’t ask for fear of finding out! Click here for more photos of day five.
Day six we started out by getting up at 4:30 am to meet Rich, Dean and crew for breakfast and then a big cattle load-out! I told you this was a widely varied vacation! What great fun we had though! Then we drove around a bit looking at places with memories for me, and went back to Leslie’s for a little nap and shower before the big reunion in the evening! It was so great to get to visit with David, Rocky, Andy, and Jim. Patty Choate gave an excellent “class roast” which Richard even enjoyed, though he didn’t know any of the kids she talked about. What a great story-teller she is! Click here for more photos of day six.
On day seven we had to start back home! We had a wonderful breakfast with Leslie before saying good-bye to both her and the cool weather. We headed down Hwy 299 toward Redding and then down I5 to Sacramento. We spent the night with Richard’s friend there, and then got up at 4 am to fly back to Missouri. Click here for more photos from day seven.
And what vacation of mine would be complete without lots of close-up flower pictures? Click here to see more of them!
