California coast and Redwoods NP

 6/8
After Yosemite, our goal was to take the shortest route to cooler weather.  That meant crossing the central California valley to the coast.  We found a P.A. campground near Healdsburg, CA.  We took a day driving over to the coast to get our first view of the famous California coastline.

Along the way we passed through the little town of Bodega.  I wouldn't have known anything about Bodega if it wasn't for the camp host who told me Alfred Hitchcock's movie The Birds was filmed in the area and the Church was still there.

We proceeded to the sea side town of Bodega Bay and got our first look at the famous California coast.

It was very beautiful and we finally found the cool air we'd been seeking all summer.

This is where we found the first river worth canoeing since the Mississippi, (the Russian river) but camping was so expensive we decided to start moving north up 101 toward the redwoods.

6/10

The next stop was Richardson Grove Campground & RV Park.  We had a nice pull through side right on the end so there was no one in front of us.

The campground is in a wide spot in the road with a few little tourist traps like the Grandfather Tree.

Across 101 was a path down to the banks of the Eel river.  We spent a little time enjoying the cool air and the view.

Shelter Cove

The campground managers told us about Shelter Cove, A small coastal community across the King Range mountains.  The 30 mile road is very steep and windy with a one lane bridge.  We tried taking pictures to convey the feel of the road but a 2-D image just doesn't do it justice.

Views from Shelter Cove...

Local volunteer guides manning the Lighthouse

California Sea Lions on the rocks.

A colorful little crab in the tide pool

They even had a campground in this little community.  I wouldn't want to pull MY camper over that treacherous road.

Returning from the Shelter Cove, just before we got back to 101, we encountered these horses rambling down the road.  This was definitely a rural community.

We enjoyed our time at Richardson Grove Campground, spending 4 days, but it was time to move on.

6/14 

Kamp Klamath, another P.A. campground, is on the banks of the Klamath River.  We hiked a small trail in the campground out to the river but it wasn't very interesting. The main draw for us was Redwoods NP and the mouth of the Klamath  River as it empties into the Pacific.

Kamp Klamath was a nice park with full hookups for a good price so we decided to stay a few days.  They had a community dinner every Saturday night, another good reason to stay.

The main course was grilled salmon or chicken.

Our camp neighbors at the previous campground (Richardson Grove) were Walt and Shirlee  from Sarasota, FL.  They were also heading up the coast.  Without any planning, we all ended up at Kamp Klamath and found them at the dinner.

A short way down the road from Kamp Klamath is a parking area and a path that leads to the mouth of the Klamath river.

Many California Sea Lions were fishing in the mouth of the Klamath river as it flowed into the sea.

More views from the beach...

Redwoods National/State park

About a mile south on 101 is the Newton B. Drury Scenic Pkwy, a 7 mile road that cuts through an area occupied by sections of the National and State parks.  We spent a couple of days exploring the area and it's many trails.  Every thing was green, lush and BIG!  Here's some pics...

Wild life!

Can you see the face...

  

Coming next, The Oregon Coast.