RV Trip 2017 - CA & OR - Part 2

Welcome to Part Two of the travelogue from our RV trip to northern California and coastal Oregon in the fall of 2017.

Saturday, Sept 16, 2017 (California) Van Duzen County Park Campground to Trinidad (Elk Country RV Resort & Campground)

One of our favorite TV shows was the ‘Eureka’ series on the SyFy Network, so we just had to visit the town, even though the series was not filmed here. We first walked along the waterfront boardwalk, and then into the Historic Old Town, where we admired the Victorian architecture, and stopped for some local beer and wine tasting.

Map of Part 2 route
We'd never seen a 'deer warning' sign that included a baby deer
One of our favorite TV shows was the ‘Eureka’ series on the SyFy Network, so we just had to visit the town, even though the series was not filmed here. We first walked along the waterfront boardwalk, and then into the Historic Old Town, where we admired the Victorian architecture, and stopped for some local beer and wine tasting.
Lots of nice Victorian architecture in Old Town Eureka

Chris had read lots of campers’ reviews of the Elk Country RV Resort saying it was a great campground for watching the Roosevelt Elk in the area. We reserved it only a day or two in advance and got what we think is the best spot there, assuming that is, that what you want most there is to watch the elk. From the company website, “The largest herd of Roosevelt elk in the world makes its home here and are seen in large numbers nearly every day in the meadows and fields at the Resort.” We backed into our site in the corner, where two perpendicular rows met, and got hooked up. Our back window looked out on the meadow where the elk often gather. There were just five bucks out there that first afternoon, no sign of the cows, but it was fun to watch them engage in an occasional clash of antlers. The camp host told us that it was rutting season, when the bulls duke it out with one another to vie for the attention of the females, and ultimately, breeding rights.

Chris had read lots of campers’ reviews of the Elk Country RV Resort saying it was a great campground for watching the Roosevelt Elk in the area. We reserved it only a day or two in advance and got what we think is the best spot there, assuming that is, that what you want most there is to watch the elk. From the company website, 'The largest herd of Roosevelt elk in the world makes its home here and are seen in large numbers nearly every day in the meadows and fields at the Resort.'
This sign reminded us of the one in the M*A*S*H TV series
Little red schoolhouse on the prairie
We backed into our site #518 in the corner, where two perpendicular rows met, and got hooked up. Our back window looked out on the meadow where the elk often gather. There were just five bucks out there that first afternoon, no sign of the cows, but it was fun to watch them engage in an occasional clash of antlers. The camp host told us that it was rutting season, when the bulls duke it out with one another to vie for the attention of the females, and ultimately, breeding rights.

Sunday, Sept 17, 2017 (California) Elk Country R.V. Resort & Campground

The next day the same bull elk were hanging around in the meadow again, but still no females. We decided to stay another day, in the hope that more elk would arrive. We took a walk around the nearby lake, and took advantage of the campground shower facilities.

Cooper enjoying his favorite spot
Sunday, Sept 17, 2017 (California) Elk Country RV Resort Campground The next day the same bull elk were hanging around in the meadow again, but still no females. We decided to stay another day, in the hope that more elk would arrive. We took a walk around the nearby lake, and took advantage of the campground shower facilities.

Monday, Sept 18, 2017 (California) Elk Country R.V. Resort & Campground to Redwood National & State Parks (Mill Creek Campground)

Our delay leaving was well-rewarded as we awoke to find the meadow behind our coach filled with dozens of elk, 6 or 8 bulls and probably 30 cows. After watching their behavior for awhile, it was obvious which bull had won the competition for the harem, and he was indeed a handsome fellow. The occasional ‘bugle calls’ of the bulls were an eerie and haunting sound. At one point, several of the elk even moved from the meadow into the campground and wandered around foraging! It was quite a sight to watch the other campers (many of whom were out watching/photographing wearing their pajamas and a jacket) swiftly vacate the area as the elk moved in.

Monday, Sept 18, 2017 (California) Elk Country RV Resort to Redwood National & State Parks (Mill Creek Campground) Our delay leaving was well-rewarded as we awoke to find the meadow behind our coach filled with dozens of elk, 6 or 8 bulls and probably 30 cows. After watching their behavior for awhile, it was obvious which bull had won the competition for the harem, and he was indeed a handsome fellow. The occasional ‘bugle calls’ of the bulls were an eerie and haunting sound.
This big guy won the competition for the harem.
Barley watching the elk from our bedroom window
The elk weren't shy about coming close to us
At one point, several of the elk even moved from the meadow into the campground and wandered around foraging! It was quite a sight to watch the other campers (many of whom were out watching/photographing wearing their pajamas and a jacket) swiftly vacate the area as the elk moved in.
Cooper watching the elk from our living room window

After the elk moved back out of the campground, we packed up and headed north to the Redwood National & State Parks, and maneuvered our coach down a narrow, crumbling road to the Mill Creek Campground.

After the elk moved back out of the campground, we packed up and headed north to the Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, and maneuvered our coach down a narrow, crumbling road to the Mill Creek Campground.
The "road" into Mill Creek Campground was barely there.

Tuesday, Sept 19, 2017 (California) Redwood National and State Parks (Mill Creek Campground)

We had a wonderful campsite nestled in the redwoods, with no neighbors nearby. We had chosen this campground because a creek ran through it, but once again we were disappointed to find that the drought had taken its toll on this creek as well, and there was too little water to create the ‘babbling brook’ sound we were seeking. But the greenery was lovely, and we enjoyed a nice hike in the woods, followed by a campfire at happy hour.

Tuesday, Sept 19, 2017 (California) Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park (Mill Creek Campground) Our wonderful campsite #32 was nestled in the redwoods, with no neighbors nearby. We had chosen this campground because a creek ran through it, but once again we were disappointed to find that the drought had taken its toll on this creek as well, and there was too little water to create the ‘babbling brook’ sound we were seeking. But the greenery was lovely, and we enjoyed a nice hike in the woods, followed by a campfire at happy hour.
Our campsite #32 at Mill Creek Campground in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
They have some big tree stumps leftover from when this forest was logged a hundred years ago
We saw several Banana Slugs
Moss covered tree trunk
Dining room window view
It's hard to believe that the mighty Redwoods grow from seeds in these tiny pine cones
Front window view
We enjoyed some nice hikes in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
Doing some weight-lifting for exercise
Relaxing after a hike

Wednesday, Sept 20, 2017 (Oregon) Redwood National and State Parks to Cape Blanco State Park

We entered Oregon today, and drove along the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. We stopped at several Scenic Viewpoints, including Whalehead Rock and Arch Rock before arriving at our next destination, Cape Blanco State Park.

Wednesday, Sept 20, 2017 (Oregon) Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park to Cape Blanco State Park These golden bears greet you as you enter Klamath, CA.
Giant statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, at the "Trees of Mystery" attraction.
The Battery Point Lighthouse in Crescent City, CA (the northenmost lighthouse in California)
We entered Oregon today, and drove along the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. We stopped at several Scenic Viewpoints, including Whalehead Rock and Arch Rock before arriving at our next destination, Cape Blanco State Park.
We were glad to see rain, because it helped to extinguish the many wildfires and clear the air of smoke
Whaleshead Rock Viewpoint along the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, near Brookings, Oregon
Arch Rock Viewpoint along the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, near Brookings, Oregon
Beatiful coastline along the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, near Brookings, Oregon
Cape Blanco State Park near Port Orford, OR
Our campsite #55 at Cape Blanco State Park

Thursday, Sept 21, 2017 (Oregon) Cape Blanco State Park

After lunch we hit the trail over to the Cape Blanco lighthouse. We knew this particular lighthouse was one that we could go to the top of. It was well staffed with volunteers, and we heard a brief overview of history from a greeter as we approached the property; some detailed history from the ‘historian’ volunteer, who described what life was like for the three families living at the tip of the cape, the men taking turns working the lighthouse at night, and farming their own land during the day. And we heard still more information from the volunteer on the ground floor inside the lighthouse who described the work the men did in the lighthouse itself (including keeping it ‘white-glove-inspection-clean’), and then finally from her husband at the top who told us the history of and some fun facts about the lens itself (made in Paris in 1870) and the light’s signature signal. Afterward, we bought a Christmas tree ornament at the gift shop depicting the Cape Blanco lighthouse.

Same campsite, different angle
Thursday, Sept 21, 2017 (Oregon) Cape Blanco State Park After lunch we hit the trail over to the Cape Blanco lighthouse. We knew this particular lighthouse was one that we could go to the top of. It was well staffed with volunteers, and we heard a brief overview of history from a greeter as we approached the property; some detailed history from the ‘historian’ volunteer, who described what life was like for the three families living at the tip of the cape, the men taking turns working the lighthouse at night, and farming their own land during the day. And we heard still more information from the volunteer on the ground floor inside the lighthouse who described the work the men did in the lighthouse itself (including keeping it ‘white-glove-inspection-clean’), and then finally from her husband at the top who told us the history of and some fun facts about the lens itself (made in Paris in 1870) and the light’s signature signal. Afterward, we bought a Christmas tree ornament at the gift shop depicting the Cape Blanco lighthouse.
Cape Blanco Lighthouse
Ann in the Lamp Room
Looking up at the Fresnel lens
A look inside the lighthouse lamp

Shop Related Products
$152.34
(1)
DEAL OF THE DAY
ENDS IN
$41.51$41.54
DEAL OF THE DAY
ENDS IN
$20.19
DEAL OF THE DAY
ENDS IN
DEAL OF THE DAY
ENDS IN
$62.87
(1)
DEAL OF THE DAY
ENDS IN
DEAL OF THE DAY
ENDS IN
DEAL OF THE DAY
ENDS IN
$9.59
(2)
DEAL OF THE DAY
ENDS IN