Saturday, July 22, 2023
We had a little longer drive today of about 150 miles. Continuing north on US 101 we drove through Fortuna. This population of 12,516 souls lies on the Eel River. The town has undergone a couple of name changes- Slide was changed to Springville. Since Springville CA already existed the post office asked for a change, so Fortuna it was. Electricity came to Springville, er, Fortuna in 1883 when a couple of fellas realized that the electricity already powering the sawmills could also be used to power homes. The area grows crops of berries, fruits, and is known for the fresh fish from the river. Fortuna is known as the “gateway to the redwood forests to the north”.
Continuing on we pass through many towns. Eureka (27000 souls) is at the heart of the redwood coast and seat of Humboldt County.It’s the largest city between San Francisco and Portland Oregon. Humboldt Bay, second largest bay in California, was overlooked by explorers (they couldn’t find the entrance) until 1849 when an overland exploration provided its exact location. The town was established in 1850 as an alternative to the long overland route from Sacramento to supply gold miners on the Trinity, Klamath and Salmon Rivers. Then came the logging industry along with its lumber mills. In town is the majestic Carson Mansion, constructed for lumber magnet William Carson: https://www.ingomar.org/carson-mansion/mansion-history
Salmon fisheries came into being where 50,000 pound of smoked salmon was shipped out of Humboldt Bay annually beginning in 1851. The bay is also the site of the West Coast’s largest oyster farming operations.
The famous Carson Mansion is located in Eureka along with many Victorian homes. Old town has been preserved as it was.
We pass Arcata, CA as we visited this place last year. Humboldt State is visible on our right as we pass through town.
We take a break in the very popular fishing village, Klamath. The village is famous for it’s great salmon fishing along the Klamath River and its proximity to Redwood National Park. Crescent City (6673 souls) is the seat of Del Norte (locals pronounce it Del Nort) County. She is famously known as the home of Pelican Bay State Prison, a prison noted for its violence. She is also Redwood National Park’s Headquarters. Crescent City’s port is home to many commercial fishing vessels. The town was decimated by the 1964 Alaska Earthquake generated tsunami waves which reached 14 feet in height.
Next came Smith River, a hamlet of 906 souls. It is headquarters for the Tolowa Dee-ni Nation even though the community only registers 6.8% Native American. It was one of the filming sites of the 1983 film Return of the Jedi.
We arrive in Brookings, Oregon (6744 souls), just across the California border. The town originated as a lumbering town. The town’s unusual climate keeps it much warmer than most coastal communities. In 1942 Mount Emily near Brookings became the only site in the mainland US to suffer aerial bombardment during WWII.
The city markets itself as “The Pulse of Americas’s Wild Rivers Coast”. We are staying at the Atriver’s Edge RV Resort once again. It’s a nice RV park located on the south bank of the Chetco River. It’s nice but not really a resort. I wish the RV industry would apply some rules that would define “resort” more distinctly as a lot of parks are using that term very loosely.
Brookings Harbor lies at the mouth of the Chetco River
We went into Brookings and shopped at Fred Myer, a large store which not only sells groceries but household goods and clothing. We then walked the dogs at the beautiful Azalea Park. Later we went down to the harbor to have a look around. Loeb State park is about 7 miles up the Chetco watershed so we went for a look-see. It’s nice with well spaced RV sites and lots of shade from numerous trees. The park also offers Chetco River access for swimming and fishing. A must see place if you ever visit Brookings is Harris Beach State Park. The beach is beautiful and the campground is very pretty- it’s extremely popular.
So now we get to the title of this post- the Chetco River Wind Tunnel. Atriver’s Edge is on the south bank of the Chetco River. It’s drainage runs through a narrow canyon or gorge, if you will, where the park is located- about a mile and a half from the harbor. It’s foggy in the morning this time of year as the heat inland draws in the fog. Another effect of inland heat is it also draws in a lot of wind in this narrow canyon as it acts like a chute for ocean breezes and actually accelerates its velocity. The harbor at only a mile and a half away had a gentle breeze blowing while we were there but the wind was whistling here at the RV park, being drawn towards the heat of inland Oregon.
We didn’t spend too much time in Brookings as we’ve been here many times. Tomorrow were are heading to another one of our favs, Bullards Beach State Park in Bandon, Oregon. See you there!
Travel With Jil and Mike 