Friday, October 3, 2025
When we came up from the south yesterday we had to bypass one big thing on our list so this morning we knew we were backtracking. That meant we got up at 6:00 a.m. and headed south for breakfast at Papa Joe’s in Ferndale.
Ferndale’s downtown still holds onto most of the Victorian era flavor from the Gold Rush days so after breakfast we took a peak around.
Our main objective today is the Humboldt Redwoods State Park, a 51,222 acre state park along the Avenue of the Giants. After stopping at the ranger station for very helpful guidance, we drove all the way up the Avenue of the Giants to its northern tip. If you are ever in this area this is a must drive, another winding road with massive trees on both sides. After turning south, we stopped at what the ranger recommended as THE walk for photographers: the 2.4 mile Drury-Chaney Loop Trail. You decide if he was right.
It was 2:00 p.m. before we were done on the loop so we continued our driving tour of The Avenue of the Giants all the way down to Phillipsville. We then turned north on Hwy 101 and returned to Eureka.
Tonight’s dinner was at the very small but very delicious Smalls Fusion Comfort. We cannot recommend this place enough if you ever get to Eureka. Then it was our second night at the Best Western Bayshore Inn.
Mileage for the Day: 175
Mileage for the Trip: 1103
Saturday, October 4, 2025
We were up at 7:00 a.m. today and when we got into the car we made a short photography excursion shooting Eureka street art.
Our breakfast place, Bayside Farmstead Café in Bayside, did not open until 8:30 a.m. This is a trendy breakfast place that tries real hard to be what it is and succeeds.
Our objective today is Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park which is about as north as you can get in California without being in Oregon.
Based on an Internet recommendation we were looking for Howland Hill Road. What the recommendation failed to mention is that this road is an unpaved one lane twisty turny drive that left us both a bit uneasy.
However, we made our first stop at the Mill Creek Trail to walk the Grove of Giants Loop.
After another death defying ride on Howland Hill Road, we were able to hike the Stout Grove.
The it was a two hour ride back to Eureka where we went to Fed Ex and shipped home a box of goodies for art making.
We ate dinner at Shamus T Bones before bedding down for the third night at the Best Western Bayshore Inn.
Mileage for the Day: 213
Mileage for the Trip: 1316
Sunday, October 5, 2025
Today we ate lobby food for breakfast and then drove 462 miles from Eureka to Fresno. We only made three stops and one of them was for a place called Treasures Thrift where some things were purchased. Not big stuff as it has to fit in my suitcase when we fly home Monday.
On our earlier stay in Fresno we were unable to get in Trelio Food and Wine because it was sold out for the night. Tonight when we went there for most of the night we were the only people eating. This is a fancy place with the only option a prix fixe menu that provided enough choices for us. The dinner was excellent and a fitting closure to our trip. Plus I got to pet a cat.
Once again, and for the last time, we bedded down in the Best Western Plus Fresno Airport Hotel.
Mileage for the Day: 472
Mileage for the Trip: 1788
Monday, October 6, 2025
Today we flew out of Fresno at noonish to Salt Lake City. After a two and one-half hour layover we were on our way to Milwaukee.
We got home at 9:30 p.m. Central Time.
As we think back on this vacation we both agreed: it might be in the top five of our trips together.
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