The best road between I5 and US101 in northern California is C299 which runs between Redding and Arcata. Since we did not need to go to Cottonwood, we decided to take C36 which goes from Red Bluff to just south of Fortuna. This is a 133 mile stretch of road better traversed on a motorcycle then a truck pulling a 27 foot trailer, it turned out. It is extremely narrow in places with lots of mountain climbing to over 4000' several times. Some parts of the road appears to have been just asphalt placed on bare ground with no grading. Little hills were so sharp and steep is was like riding on a roller coaster. As you crest the hill, you could not see the road, and the truck did not speed up until the trailer crests the hill, much like how a coaster train does not speed up until the rear of the train crests the grade. The last down grade off the mountains were a 10% grade in places. The brakes were smoking by the time we got to the bottom, and there was a sharp right turn right at the bottom. I had both feet on the brake pedal and fingers crossed on both hands.
We received an unexpected treat after we arrived in the coastal lowlands - Redwoods. We drove through a portion of Grizzly Creek State Park. We didn't see any trees as big as some we have seen in other parks, but impressive nonetheless.
We had lunch at a cafe in Wildwood, a very small town located at about 4000'. We were the only customer at noon, so I don't know if the cafe will be in business for long. They made a pretty good chili dog for us.
We arrived in Eureka in mid afternoon. We found a trailer park courtesy of Gretchen, set up the trailer, then set off to meet our friend from my Navy days, Joe Avery. We made arrangements to meet him at a coffee shop. While we were visiting and enjoying our tea and coffee, a couple who are friends of Joe came in. Joe got a pleasure in introducing us to them: Bob, this is Bob; Laurel, this is Laura.
After we closed the coffee shop, we walked a block to an Italian restaurant where Joe treated us to an excellent meal. Thanks, again, Joe.
Joe took a couple pictures which he is going to email to me. I will add it to this posting after I get it.
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