Occidental – Page 50 – Occidentalist

Onward to Oregon, 2019

Post author:Occidental
Post published:2019-12-16
Post category:California Exploring Truck Camping
Post comments:0 Comments

After two windy but sunny days and a quick glance at the weather forecast, we knew our rain free days were coming to a close. We sat at the junction of Usal and Bryceland road as sprinkle turned to downpour. The road to Needle Rock to our left with several warning signs was sending us a message. You may get down, but no guarantees on getting back up.

We hung a right and headed inland. As beautiful as Needle Rock could be, it wasn’t the place to head to with the coming storm. Heading over the King Range, wet snow began to fall and as we dropped toward the Eel River drainage the downpour started in earnest. After a quick stop at a hardware store we just happened to need to stop at last trip we had a new drip pan for the grill and we headed toward the Avenue of the Giants. By the time we reached the Avenue it was mid afternoon, but due to the 300+ foot trees, and the pouring rain it felt like nighttime. We made a stop at the visitor center and among other attractions and information we found the travel log.

(more…)

Northern California, 2019, Part 2

Post author:Occidental
Post published:2019-12-15
Post category:California Exploring Truck Camping
Post comments:0 Comments

We were up and headed north from Navarro early. We had a train to catch. It had turned windy and cold overnight, was it the forecasted storm blowing in early? We rolled into Ft. Bragg before most of the town was open. We acquired our tickets and took a chilly walk around town and then checked out the model railroad.

Several people have put a ton of time into the Mendicino Model Railroad to give us a glimpse into the past. I wonder how they decide who gets the remote controls for the day. We then jumped the train and took a short ride up Pudding Creek on the Skunk Train.

(more…)

Northern California, 2019, Part 1

Post author:Occidental
Post published:2019-12-14
Post category:California Exploring
Post comments:0 Comments

We enjoyed our California Road Trip so much in 2016 we decided we needed to revisit a few places on the north coast. The week of Thanksgiving seemed like the perfect time to do it, take 3 days off and have 9 days for a road trip? Sign me up! We headed out of town on Friday and made it to Castle Crags State Park for an overnight. We didn’t have time to linger or explore but it served well for a convenient place to spend the night.

We were up early and continued our trek south to Anderson Valley.

In 2016 we only had a portion of a day in Anderson Valley and we wanted to spend more time there. We made it our southernmost point on our trip and worked north from there. We arrived with enough time to visit Anderson Valley Brewing for the afternoon. Bear + deer (=beer) abound there. And we were able to get in 18 holes of frisbee golf too. And did I mention it was t-shirt weather (in late November)!

Bear + Deer = Beer welcomes one and all, Anderson Valley Brewing

(more…)