Day 18 Tuesday, May 31 Redding to Crescent City, California

We were up by 6:15 AM and went to breakfast with Betsy and Brett at Black Bear Diner.  After breakfast, we drove CA Highway 299 west out of Redding toward the Trinity Mountains.  We had two road construction delays enroute to Big Flat, CA.  Our first stop was for coffee at the Strawhouse. Julia Ellis, the proprietor, was very welcoming and introduced us to Russell, her nephew.  We enjoyed our coffee, tea, and scone on the back patio next to the Trinity River. 

I was thinking as we climbed continuous winding curves upward…if our car could talk, she would probably say “I just delivered you all the way across the farms of the midwest, the great plains, the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, the Canyonlands of Utah, the desert of Nevada and the mountains of the California Sierras, and now you want me to climb and brake through the Trinity Mountains of Western California?!?”  No, I would answer, I am going to ask for one more favor before we are all done… but I will ask for that later…

After winding our way down out of the mountains,  we arrived at CA. Highway 101…as far west as we could go without getting the front bumper wet in the Pacific Ocean! 

We turned south and had lunch at a cafe on the square in Arcata.  Afterward, we explored Humbolt State University nestled on the hillside in pine and redwood trees.  We visited the track/stadium and it must be one of the few stadiums to be encircled with the mighty redwoods giants…no wonder they call it the “Redwood Bowl”.

We drove north on 101 and spotted Elk in an open field.  We saw more just off the road and still more in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.   We saw them a fourth time just south of Crescent City. 

I went back to Paula, the Impala, and said, “Remember that last favor…now we are going to ask you to go 16 miles on a  dirt and pot-holed road up and down hills through a forest on narrow roads to deliver us to Fern Canyon.”  Paula moaned but drove on… We arrived at Fern Canyon within Prairie Creek State Park.  This natural ravine, not far from the ocean, has a creek running through it.  The Park Service put planks down so visitors could traverse the shallow creek and explore the green canyon.  The distinguishing feature is the fern and moss cascading down the walls.   We agreed that Fern Canyon was the highlight of the drive.  It had the feel of a prehistoric environment and was a natural choice as the setting for the movie “Jurassic Park II”.

At 5:50 PM we rolled into Crescent City, our final destination.  We ate at a local restaurant for dinner and took a short drive behind our hotel.  As we passed the beach, we saw sea lions on the jetty. In the background, we could see the lighthouse, on the rock against darkening skies.  We finally settled into our hotel.  We phoned Dottie, our contact, at the Lighthouse to let her know we arrived, and made arrangements to move in tomorrow.

Thus ends Phase 1 of our journey; the drive across America to assume our duties as lighthouse keepers.  After 3,907.4 miles, including a half dozen National Parks and at least as many State Parks, we are happy to be here and eager to become the best lighthouse keepers we can be.  Join us tomorrow as we begin our duties!