Springs, Hikes, Wines

 From lush coastal redwoods, we headed inland to much warmer temperatures, drier air, springs, hills and vineyards as we traveled between Ukiah and Calistoga. Our first destination was Vichy Springs, established in 1854, and the only naturally warm and carbonated Vichy mineral baths in North America. It is located on 700 acres of hiking hills and trails. 

This area was inhabited by the Pomo native Americans over 5000 years ago, though the springs are over 5 million years old. Like today, the Pomos used the springs for healing and health. The gold rush brought white settlers and businessmen. One purchased the springs from the current Mexican land owner (California was part of Mexico). From there a series of investors and property managers have run the springs. Local and international celebrities of the times have visited the springs including: The Bhiradelli family, Presidents Grant, Harrison and Teddy Roosevelt, Mark Twain, Jack London, Robert Louis Stevenson to today's Nancy Pelosi, Dustin Hoffman, James Coburn and even Sandy Koufax. And now, me and the Turk!

we stayed in one of the original buildings from 1860's.

turk enjoying borax soak

one of the finds on a  morning hike

Turk finds yet another old truck

hiking near the nearly dry creek. Drought conditions

rolling hills of Ukiah area

 

rolling hills of Ukiah area with madrone woodlands

    

of course we found wine! Testa winery in Calpella CA settled by Italian family 1912. Still family owned.

more wineries going south from Ukiah

made it to Calistoga: 'our' hotel!

We explored the Napa area a bit more than usual because we were doing only a few winery visits. We discovered the Bale Grist Mill State Park in St. Helena, featuring the mill built in 1846. It is fully operational and while we were there, squatting since the park wasnt officially open (state was still opening after Covid closures), a couple of park rangers showed up and started turning the wheel to check if all the gears were still operational - they were!

water runs from creek up to this channel

channel releases water over the wheel

the park actually grinds grain with this wheel, and sells it

We ended up at Mustards Grill for dinner one night, sitting outside in a lovely area next to their vegetable garden which make the Turk very happy. 

happy Turk near artichokes

hiking along Napa River

croissants from Model Bakery, Oxbow Public Mkt

Beautiful produce at Napa Farmers Market

tasting at Chimney Rock - our splurge!

Giants = Trees and Big Foot

 One more intense redwoods experience before we ventured back info civilization included exploring the Avenue of the Giants between Eureka and Garberville in the Humboldt Redwoods State park. This 30 mile road accesses all kinds of hikes, short and long, as well as plenty of roadside attractions that make it even more fun. 

We found several picturesque short hikes where the trees and lighting were stunning.

Being in charge of hikes, we did have a long one that meandered near a river through old growth trees. The Turk was nervous when we saw no humans for several hours. He almost hugged the poor guy we saw toward the end of the hike!

lunch atop a fallen tree!

   

Peeking out of the ferns

much needed soothing of feet after long hike

For some reason, Big Foot is quite popular here and appears everywhere. Also many references to Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. Several drive through trees, rooms inside of hollowed out trees, quirky signs and sculptures. 

Turk meets a buddy

enter the 'house' at base of tree. Was used as a souvenir shop at one time

just in case you were wondering....

All bears were safely masked for Covid

interesting story. Kellogg was known for his whistling

camper was carved from 1 log. 

Sign of the Times!

Eureka!

The California Gold Rush brought settlers to the Humboldt Bay in the 1850s, and the city was given the name “Eureka” from the Greek word meaning “I have found it.”  This influx of immigrants was disasterous however to the resident Wiyot tribe who was essentially eliminated by 1860.

Today, Eureka is the largest city of Humbolt County though is past its heyday of the lumber capital of northern California. The intricate Victorian architecture shows off how Eureka looked in those days.  Today, Eureka is the cannibas capital with legal and illegal growers scattered throughout the remote forests.

Looks like a candy house

What a joyous entryway

detail work even with basement windows

Carson Mansion-Queen Anne style

Across street from Carson, wedding gift for Carson's son

one of Old Town stores

We found the Blue Ox Millworks, a true labor of love for the Victorian times. They've brought in original logging camp buildings, a blacksmith shop, letterpress print shop, glass, pottery studios. But the most exciting for us was the woodworking shop where skilled woodworkers, some trained in high school programs, build and renovate Victorian woodwork for buildings around the world. They use original equipment and tools from the 1800-early 1900s. While we were there, we watched work being done on corbals for the renovation of a train station.

another logging camp building and tools

saw to cut intricate pieces

Huge lathe for tall posts. Notice the ones hanging

working on corbels

Detailed work, and over 20 to be made

original kitchen for logging camp

We found two very different exceptional restaurants in the area. Brick & Fire was a few blocks from our AirBnB (itself the carriage house of a Victorian) and the Turk loved that all dishes were cooked in wood fired oven. Delish and fun.  We also ventured across the bridge to Samoa (island was named as US claimed the island nation of Samoa) to the Samoa Cookhouse. This original cookhouse was built for the loggers who sat at long tables for meals. They were, as we were, served bowls of food - no real choice of menu. The Turk liked the homemade bread, unlimited servings, and apparently the forks. He ended up with 6 around his plate that night!

start counting forks....

Of course we traveled through redwood forests to get from Crescent City to Eureka. Road work, crossing the Klamath River guarded by golden bears who show their butts if you go north, Elk Meadow where we saw....ELK,  Fern Canyon where you hike in a canyon of ferns famous because it was filmed in the movie Jurassic Park.

driving adventure! Road was only open 4x during the day

coming

and going!

...and the point is..?

Elk were EVERYWHERE

still trying to figure this one out

a wet hike - because that's what ferns need

Ferns all the way up the canyon walls !!

coastal drive to Eureka - see the seals sunning on the beach?

happy travelers