Captain’s Entry:
While
traveling with my First Officer can be a bit trying (see below), the advantages
of having a skilled mechanic along are numerous. For instance, we haven’t found
ourselves stranded for three days on a hog farm because of a cracked exhaust
manifold or any situation that comes even close. Those of you who know of my
solo RV travels will understand exactly that of which I speak.
Yesterday we
traveled through some amazingly scenic countryside over roads that while wide
and well paved had drop offs that rival the ravines of the Apache Trail alongside
them. Arizonans will get my drift I’m sure. The First Officer at the helm
during all our mountainous travel has taken a beating, but carries on in spite
of the perils of piloting a ship of our length and girth.
We’re docked
under a nice shade-giving tree that might be a mulberry. It has sort of heart-shaped
leaves. Big Foot campground gives the impression that the big guy might just
stumble out of the forest any minute or be caught frolicking in the Trinity
River that flows along at a good clip just adjacent to the campground. We’re
one of VERY few over-nighters here, but the manager says this whole HUGE place
will be booked solid beginning tomorrow morning for the weekend. We’ll be
pulling out tomorrow to free up our space.
In town
yesterday we visited the Jake Jackson Museum that is full of interesting artifacts of
the gold-mining and pioneering history of Weaverville. There is a “crazy” quilt
in a glass case there that must be worth “millions,” but without a hint of it
origin. The piecing of the oddly-shaped quilt bits and pieces is hand-stitched with
embroidery-like work. The stitches are beautifully done in various patterns
I’ve never seen before. Evidently these kinds of quilts made by artisans are in
demand even today. I wish I had that kind of talent or could learn how to put
together such a gorgeous work of art. There were also lovely examples of
tatting, crochet, and hand-worked lace adorning period dresses.
The First
Officer was captivated by the huge display of antique firearms and mining
equipment. There were also two jail cells transported to the museum from the
town’s courthouse basement. Evidently two cells were all that were needed for
such a small town, but that’s hard for me to believe with a population of
miners and drifters.
At the
Farmer’s Market across the street from the museum, we ate tamales for dinner
and bought home-baked bread, cookies, and local peaches. There was a home-grown
band playing “island music” while we shopped, and the ambiance reminded me of
the Farmer’s Markets I’ve been to in small Washington towns with my daughter
Kimberly.
Today
(Thursday) the Chinese Temple tour!
End Captain’s Entry
First Officer’s Entry:
You may have
noticed that I’ve been a little uptight and testy lately. Well, let’s talk a bit.
Our plan
when we left Phoenix was to go to Quincy, attend the rally, and then just
wander around northern California for a couple or three weeks. It sounded very “free spirited” and
“adventurous.” No plans; just do what
the moment strikes us with. Yea!
Didn’t
work. Especially for me. Cheryl is pretty OK with it, but I’m wrapped
up as tight as a spring. It seems I’m
waaaaay too structured to be unstructured.
So last
night we put together a plan. We are
currently ensconced in the Big Foot RV Park in Junction City, which is about 11
miles west of Weaverville, CA. We will
explore the town today (Thursday) and head west tomorrow to Fortuna on the left coast, so
the captain can get her “big water” fix.
Then we will re-visit Ferndale, the world’s cutest town, and the following
day go south to and thru the Avenue of the Giants (big freakin’ trees) into Leggett, where we will hopefully drive the Smart car thru the “Chandelier
Drive-Thru Tree”. (A big tree with a
hole in it.)
After that
we will point the rig southeast and make like a bee while heading for Phoenix
in the straightest line possible at fifty-five miles per hour.
So that’s
the plan, and now I feel better.
Here are a few photos I like.
End First Officer’s Entry
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