Redding CA
It
was a good rest and a simple continental breakfast with some good coffee. Snoopy even got to flirt with the owner’s
little 2 year old daughter this morning but she was too shy to pose for
pictures.
Back
out on the road I was soon turning onto CA-299 that would take me over the
coastal mountain range and into Whiskey Town…the next National Park that I
needed to visit in NorCal. The road was
a gentle climber into the mountains, some nice curves, and then a few steep
climbs but nothing extreme. Or at least
I don’t remember anything extreme. There
were some 180’s but they were gentle curves as the highway climbed into Willow
Creek.
I
took a stop in Willow Creek for some breakfast at the Bigfoot Bar and
Restaurant. As I entered the town I
noticed Gonzalez Mexican Restaurant but didn’t stop there as I really wanted a
plate of eggs and ham. Across from the
restaurant I got these photos of the mural painted across the whole
building. Later, on google, I found that
Willow Creek is considered the Gateway to Bigfoot Country and they have erected
a Bigfoot statue in the town center…too bad I didn’t know it at the time as it
would have been a nice photo for Sophia and Snoopy.
Unfortunately,
the breakfast menu was over and I was relegated to the lunch menu….had the
bigfoot burger and coleslaw along with a cola….my imagination tried to make it
look like ham & eggs but it didn’t turn out too well. Actually, the burger and slaw was pretty
good…with jalapenos J.
While
eating there a biking couple sat at the table across from me but we didn’t
chat…my fault as I was focused on departing…but I did wish them a safe ride.
Out
on the CA-299 again I began to pay more attention to the scenery, the trees
engulfed the steep mountains, the air was sweet, scented. I was reminded of some of the rides through
Montana, Idaho and BC. There were
rivers, and later, the river was continuously visible on the south side of the
highway. Many places I could see would
be perfect for a log cabin to be away from the city and play recluse amongst
nature with the river at your door. I
saw signs that told me I was in the Trinity Forest and it was the Trinity
River. Often I would see a truck parked
on the side of the road, and down below would be its owner, fishing out in the
stream.
Coming
upon one such truck I spied a man and woman preparing to hike down to the river
for some fishing. I stopped directly in
front of his truck and shut Sophia down.
The man watched me as I dismounted and removed my helmet and then I
greeted him saying Snoopy was interested in fishing….could he tell me anything
about it. Frankly, this is where I
learned all about the area, the salmon were running, etc. I gave him my card and I thot I had written
his name down, but now cannot find it.
He had retired from the CHP and his son is currently in the Marines
flying Hueys. He also told me to be sure
to stop in at the Strawhouse located in Big Flat, a few more miles on my way
east. When he patrolled 299 the
Strawhouse was his favorite spot to stop for a cup of organic café while
working on his paperwork. I’m frustrated
that I have misplaced his name and email as I was hoping to stay in touch with
him and obtain his future recommendation for a fishing guide. Sure hope he recalls my card and drops me an
email!
Then
I was off, looking for Big Flat and the Strawhouse, and I did come upon it a
little later. And naturally, I had to
stop….but with a mental note to not dally too long so I would still have a
timely arrival at Whiskeytown NP.
HA!
Fat chance! I fell in love with this
place. The owners, Don and Julia Ellis
are originally from Dana Point, my neck of the woods! Back in ’98 they escaped OC and settled
here. I learned all this while sipping
their delicious coffee and chatting with Joe and Nancy Severson, their best friends from San Juan Capistrano
(? Not sure if SJC or SC) who were visiting.
Joe is an artist and his business card depicts a painting of a senorita
wearing a sombrero and notes “Fine Art” under his name. I get a feeling Joe is tops in his
league! I missed getting a photo with
Joe and Nancy but I did get this one with Don out front of the Strawhouse (www.strawhouseresorts.com).
And by the way, Don has cabins and other amenities to accommodate ya’ll
for a weekend of relaxation….check it out!
While
I was sitting on the patio, listening to the breeze and Trinity’s gurgling and
splashing rapids a few feet away, I got to chat with my fellow bikers that were
at the Bigfoot Restaurant back in Willow Creek!
They were out for a day ride and dropped in for coffee. They are Michael and Babara Jewell and live
in one of the canyons back by Willow Creek.
They too came here a while back and just stayed to enjoy the simplicity
of life there. I recall that Babara is
from somewhere around the Buffalo-Rochester area of New York…so we connected
since I am from Buffalo-Tonawanda.
Michael runs his own business making specialty locks for Kayaks and
other sporting equipment. Barbara gave
me a card for Lasso Lock-All. I’m not
sure if this is Michaels lock or another lock that Barbara markets (www.lassosecuritycables.com).
And of course, no pics of this good looking couple.
Well,
it was getting late in the afternoon so I did get on my way noting that this
highway is a definite ‘come backer’ for next year. Soon I was in Weaverville and shortly after
that I entered the Whiskeytown. I’m
short changing the ride in this writeup however, because there were even more
sights and vistas and a wonderful ride throught the Shasta-Trinity National area
that 299 runs through.
As
I was entering the Whiskeytown Lake area I saw a sign for the town at the next
left. Taking it, I found myself on a
narrow road that went by a few abandoned old buildings then towards a boating
ramp area and then off into the hills to campgrounds. I decided to venture down into the boating
area and ask someone for the location of the Visitor Center. And I got lucky…there was a couple my age
that had just finished loading their boat on the trailer and were preparing for
the road. They advised me that the
abandoned building I has passed was indeed Whiskeytown but that the Visitor
Center was across the bridge. Well, you
guessed it, by the time I reached the Center they were already closed…I missed
it by 20 minutes. Not a problem, it was
getting too late as it were so I decided to spend the night in Redding and then
get my Whiskeytown stamp and photo in the morning before continuing on my trip.
Redding
was just a few miles away, but first the ride took me through an old tourist
town called Shasta that is now an historic site, kinda interesting to see
life’s environment from back then. I
arrived into the downtown area and noted a number of motels. Settling for one on the main street I found
it had my price range and it was indeed clean.
Later, when I rode around the town looking for a bite to eat…I came upon
an America Best Value Inn advertising a price $5 lower…bummer!
Dinner
was KFC….they still are the best with the crusty skin all stripped off and a
bucket of whole kernel corn, and it is a lot better than a ‘burger and
fries’. Hmmm, but I’m still not getting
enough veggies and fruits!
Hunkering
down to look at the maps, I needed to do some considering of which direction to
take….I am at a crossroads in my trip.
Ahhh,
I love this part….a crossroads! A
decision to make! What shall it be??
….think I’ll sleep on it J.C ya mañana,
Gonzo
Twitter: @GonzoCrossUSA
Email: GonzoCrossUSA@gmail.com
Cell: 949-433-0761
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