California Redwoods | Benbow Inn

Saturday | 2 June 2007 | Benbow, California: And so we left Gold Beach. It was a great visit and finally we were able to take the famed jet boat! I feel like we have joined a secret club. Everyone who takes the jet boat (including my parents) just rant about the trip. We agree!

As soon as we entered California, our limes were inspected by the California Agriculture agents. It has been years since we have crossed through an Ag inspection station that has actually been manned and wouldn't you know it? I pay 79 cents (each) for two organically-grown limes and they are confiscated. Suspected to have the dreaded scale. They look like every lime I have ever purchased. How is the everyday homemaker to know she is spreading disease by making a margarita? Our expensive avocados were spared - though the inspector removed (and kept) the nubby stem bit. The agent would not enter our RV (in the past they have always come inside the RV). This guy just stood at the door and had me bring the suspect produce to him. He asked our license number but WOULD NOT step in front of the bus to simply read it off the plate. Weird. He wanted to know where we had come from and where we were going and filled-out our itinerary on a green form. Weird. (When we told him we were from Beaverton, he told us his brother lived in "some hills" west of Portland. A few miles down the road, DT realized he must have meant Raleigh Hills. Geez.)

Maybe I can claim two 79-cent abducted limes on my 2007 taxes?

California Redwoods

We took the scenic drive off Highway 101 through Prairie Creek Redwoods to Elk Prairie. Always a great spot to see elk. Today, we didn't see many elk, but had a great lunch break, checked email and made a fresh pot of coffee, while dining on Gold Beach smoked salmon, in the warm California sun.

Day camped at Elk Prairie


Beautiful (and very pregnant) girl at Elk Prairie
(photo by DT - my official wildlife photographer)

The drive south on 101 through the Redwoods is just spectacular. The hills are green with trees, the road crosses countless rivers and streams and occasionally there are views of the sea or vast lagoons. Surfers bob off-shore in the waves. In the spring, the road between Arcata and Trinidad is lined with exotic yellow lupines. We stopped in Eureka for groceries and saved $16 (according to our checkout boy) WITHOUT a membership card! For some reason, I do not now have an extra $16 in my wallet. In this area we always look for Raymond's Sourdough Bread - the sourest bread we have ever tasted.

Long-time readers will remember we pulled into Benbow last year in the middle of the Arts & Music Festival... while we were on the way to Sacramento for the NCAA's. My how things do not change! Of course, we had completely forgotten with our crazy time warped schedule/life. The entire freeway interchange - seriously in the middle of nowhere - was in complete chaos. Luckily, we were able to secure one of the last campsites at Benbow and we were able to secure a table for dinner.

Grilled hearts of romaine with house made Caesar dressing


Pan-roasted Anderson Ranch lamb loin, Maytag Bleu Cheese potato gratin and Rosemary Lamb jus
 
Grilled Ribeye with seared herb-roasted red potatoes and demi glace


The pretty patio overlooking the Eel River


The dining room in the Benbow Inn


The bar at the Benbow Inn

Until my next update, I remain your Benbow correspondent.

RV Park: Benbow RV Resort