For those of you coming from the North to the IRG, heading south on Highway 101, you are in for a scenic treat. The leg of the journey from the BIG town of Eureka to the Carlotta area has been my commute for over two decades now. I thought I would share some of my favorite spots with you so you might enjoy your ride down and possibly take a look-see.
Once you've passed through the city of Eureka you'll return to freeway driving where we've gotten exit signs with numbers. All the exits have numbers, but not all the exits have numbers displayed on them. :roll: Yeah, we're a rural freeway system....
Photo Op #1:
The avatar picture on the T&TTT Forum under my name is coming up on your right. This area is called Table Bluff and you'll see where the bay and ocean mesh, especially if the tide is out. The numbered exit sign here is 698 and it will be for our local college and Humboldt Botantical Gardens. The exit sign says College of the Redwoods (CR) and has easy access and free parking if you want to take a stroll and check out the botanical garden. The garden has been a labor of love for many years for residents in this area and is now just coming to be ready for the public to enjoy it fully. There are short and long walks, with a spectacular view at the top of the bay and ocean.
Photo Op #2
As you continue south past Table Bluff you will be traveling down a straight line of freeway surrounded by pasture and marsh land. The area off to the right is known as Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge and you'll frequently see huge flocks of migratory birds feeding here throughout the winter months. The exit to the Wildlife Refuge is identified by a brown and white sign before you reach exit 695, which says Loleta/Hookton Road. The Wildlife Refuge has a visitor center and loop trail system which allow you an opportunity to view birds close to the bay and in the salt marshes.
Photo Op #3
Once you've made it through the straightaway you'll begin a gentle climb up the hill to the next spot on my list of things to see, the Victorian Village of Ferndale. The exit number for Fernbridge/Ferndale is number 692. You'll pass by the Historical Landmark Sign right before the exit comes up to the quaint village of Ferndale. The bridge that spans the river here is an old and narrow one that leads to the dairy lands of the lower Ferndale Bottoms. The town is filled with whimsical shops, art galleries, and a main street that will take you back in time. There are many examples of Victorian houses and architecture of the period that have been preserved and kept up with pride. If you continue on through this town you can reach the beach of Centerville, which was just voted Best Beach of Humboldt.
Continuing South....
After passing by Fernbridge, which is adjacent to Hwy 101, the next town you'll be approaching is the "Friendly City" of Fortuna. This is one of the last towns before the turnoff to State Highway 36 that you can have a choice of gas stations, markets, restaurants, etc. Take the Main Street Exit Number 689 for Route 101 Business if you have any last minute items you need to get from a hardware, auto parts, or grocery store. One exit more south, Number 688 called Riverwalk Drive/12th St., is a short loop that will take you to a river walk overlooking the Eel River and Valley. You can continue around and return back to Hwy 101 at the end of Riverwalk Drive via Kenmar Road, exit number 687. Right after this exit, Kenmar Road, you will be coming to the end of the freeway and start to see a lot of signs to do this or don't do that.
The freeway offically ends and cross traffic begins. Please use caution along this short stretch of highway. "Use your headlights during the day, $1,000.00 fine for Littering, Speed checked by radar, ALL VEHICLES WHEN TOWING "55", CONSTRUCTION ZONE WHERE TRAFFIC FINES ARE DOUBLED", etc. are a few of the ones you might want to heed. There is a major Bridge Construction project going on just past the turnoff to Highway 36. If you see the flashing lights for Bridge Construction you are getting very close to the turnoff for the event. Look for the green and white State Highway 36 signpost on the right by Hansen's Truck Stop. The mileage board lists Hydesville 3 miles., and Bridgeville (Carlotta not listed on this 101 sign) and you will take a left at this intersection leaving Hwy 101 and entering Hwy 36 - East. BE VERY CAREFUL AS THIS IS a spot where accidents frequently occur.
You'll know you are on the "right track" to the IRG when 1/10 mile later you travel over two Railroad Crossings. From that point on you can admire the rolling hills and wide open space of the Eel River Valley, The mileage signs there will indicate you are within 5 miles of Carlotta. The Van Duzen River will be to your far right as you wind through the valley approximately two and a half miles to downtown Hydesville. At the top of the hill Hwy 36 makes a sharp turn to the right and past the Post Office, Market & Mercantile Store, and Gas & Go. If you don't have the groceries and gas you need by now, you might want to fill up here. These pumps are open 24/7 but you must use your credit card. The only spot after that for fuel and grocery/ice is the small store by Pamplin Grove, Martin & Shirley's, and it is just that....small, but pleasant. It has a single pump which dispenses one grade (87) of fuel only, and it is not open round the clock. Stop by here if you need ice or Ice cream....
By now you'll probably be itching to get to the Grove so keep on pulling. Remember, drive sober--Redwoods don't move over. At this point in the journey we want you and the teardrop to arrive in one piece! Not too much farther now....
More later as the TravelBlog continues down the Highway...... TDN
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