Avenue of the Giants and Ukiah

Started the day in Arcata, following the local guide listing to an irresistible location; the Brio Bakery and Café described as an artisan bakery. No disappointment here. We bought an excellent walnut wheat loaf and an epee at the bakery and we were directed to the charming café in the center of town for breakfast treats. Here we found a wonderful cooperative art gallery, lots of glass objects (read pipes) stores, a very hippie vibe and a lovely park in the center. Arcata claims to have the largest arts community on the west coast. There is certainly lots of beautiful art in the shops.




The guide also mentioned a mosaic house and workshop I had to see. It was just a few blocks away, a small appearing house on an ordinary street. The outside and throughout the entire interior, practically every surface (even the toilet tiled with pennies)  is covered with tile and pattern. Everything from the floors to a fabulous "pillow" of tiles that looks like fabric. It is also a bed and breakfast. We met the artist, her daughter and nice white dog. This house is definitely one of a kind.

After Arcata we headed south on. Rte. 101.

The decision of whether to travel along the coast or a little inland was made by the weather - lots of rain, storms and a high surf advisory complete with flood warnings sent us to through the redwoods following the Avenue of the Giants.

We camped in the afternoon in a park within the forest. Though the day had been bright, the redwoods absorb the light and create a dark, gloomy atmosphere, further darkened by the rain. The forest is intensely quiet and very wet (which is much needed in drought suffering California.) We walked along paths and over bridges among the trees, simply awed by their size and majesty. We saw no one else.

In our campsite (in the almost empty camp) I discovered this friendly protective bear spirit - guarding the trees no doubt.

Darkness came early (the night before the solstice,) and in the woods it was absolute. No moon, no stars, no light filtering in - we slept ten hours.

It was still raining in the morning. We headed further south, still among the giants and stopped at an Indian casino - thinking it might be fun on a rainy afternoon. In my opinion - NOT. This was such a depressing place - why would anyone spend time there?

So, on to Ukiah where we found a pretty ordinary RV park. It reminded me of a suburban neighborhood (which it is). We did have a great time walking (in the rain) to dinner, a surprisingly good  Asian buffet.

All this rain is making me very aware of the great clothes I have brought along - my red rain jacket over my awesome Columbia Sportwear vest was perfect!