[A/S] California - September 1, 2000

[hhamp5246@xxxxxxx]

Well, 

I made it.  Driving to California has been a dream of mine since I was 16 
years old.  I wanted to come to the land of sun, beaches, blondes, flower 
power..... I've been here a few times before this, but never thought I could 
actually drive here.  I did. (c: Of course back then I pictured myself doing 
it in a 409 Chevy.... 

This morning the dogs and I went back to the Gold Beach beach, still 
determined to find a Sea Lion. They were nowhere to be found. The dogs love 
that beach, it must be the world's largest supply of driftwood.  I decided to 
go into the Rogue River Museum/Gift Shop.  The museum is wonderful.  Really 
interesting.  They even have an animal mount for all the critters that live 
in or near the river...from otters to weasels to mountain lions.  There is a 
great number of photos on the wall, old timey photos with former residents.  

My personal favorite was a photo of "Cinco" a yellow Lab.  Cinco is lifting 
his leg and peeing off the side of a fishing boat into the river.  The 
caption tells how he had to be trained to do that for long days in the 
fishing boat. 

I went back, got the trailer and headed south on 101.  Nice drive, saw lots 
of ocean and plenty of forests and mountains.  Usually had all three in my 
sights at once.  Finally, I crossed into California.  I was immediately 
stopped and asked what fruits and vegetables I had on board.  "Just wild 
blackberries."  She sent me on my way. 

I stopped a few times when the beach had a parking lot.  The dogs love 
running on the beach.... the sand was almost black. I got a bit snarly with a 
stupid guy who had a young Pit Bull.  He threw it in the water, scaring the 
poor dog half to death.  After that the pup wouldn't come to the guy.   I was 
worried he would get killed running from the guy so I caught him and returned 
him.  The moron then says, "Thanks, he doesn't want to come to me because I 
threw him in the water."

"I don't blame him", I snapped.  "You betrayed his trust. When you called him 
and he came you frightened him, why would he want to come to you the next 
time?"

The guy's jaw dropped.  I spun and took my obedient dogs back to the parking 
lot and climbed up on my high horse... oh wait, I was on my high horse... I 
climbed up into Bruiser and pulled away.  I feel sorry for that dog.

You really don't need a sign that says you are in the Redwoods..... they are 
so big there's no mistaking them.  You feel like you're in "Honey, I Shrunk 
the Kids".  A logging truck passed me... it had three tree trunks filling 
it.... instead of the usual 
10 or so.  'nuff said. 

I stopped for diesel.......... ouch.  $2.06 a gallon!!  $50.00 for a fill up. 
 I had to pump my own.  Sheesh.  In Oregon it's a law that you can't pump 
your own gas, I was getting used to having it done for me.  To add insult to 
injury..... $2.06.
.
Then as I was driving I came to a long stretch of beach with tons of campers. 
 Big motorhomes to tiny little things.  All with a stretch of waterfront 
property out the side door.  I pulled in, I don't boondock, but this was 
irresistible.  It is a state park, with no charge. (No hookups) First come, 
first served.  Cool huh?  It's right on 101.....  just a wide shoulder.  I 
parked.  First time I've ever parallel parked the rig. After parking, and 
turning on the propane, the dogs and I hit the beach.  The tide was coming 
in, the waves were big... I mean huge when they hit.

Then I saw it....right inline with the trailer... a Sea Lion.  Yikes, I ran 
back for the camera.... as I got close I realized it wasn't moving.  I 
watched for a while.... the dogs saw it and approached warily... it still 
didn't move.  A big black bird landed on it and pecked it.  It was dead as a 
doornail )c:  Wouldn't you know, the first one I see is dead. I photographed 
it anyway.  Then noticed a lot of birds a bit further down the beach.  They 
were picking the bones of something huge.  Maybe a whale.  Must have been.  I 
took some photos of it too.

It was very depressing to have a dead Sea Lion on the beach where I 
parked..... I went back to the trailer and checked the fridge. It wouldn't 
stay lit.  Grrrr.... I played with it for a while..... and wondered what I 
would do with myself for hours and hours...  while my food rotted...with no 
TV.  I hate to say it, but the TV is company for me... as is the computer.... 
 what if I couldn't hook up from here.... <gasp>

I got back in the truck and drove only a few miles  when I saw a huge Elk 
herd... on the side of the road.... across from them was a campground.  I 
pulled in.  Turns out it's a Coast to Coast Resort Park.  So, I'm happy now,  
I've Got power, TV, use of a data port from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM..... and an 
Elk herd out the window.  I'll stay here two nights... tomorrow I'm going for 
a horseback ride and will explore the area.  I'm about 45 miles north of 
Eureka.

Hunter