Our day began with fog draped over the treetops all around us and it seemed to be heavier when looking toward the ocean. The fog produced its own beauty to the already beautiful scenery. As the morning wore on, the fog began to burn off in the campground. By the time preparations were being made for breakfast the sun had broken through lighting up our campsites. The sound of jet boats going by as they headed up-river could be heard for awhile at regular intervals.

Click on image to view a larger version Our last day in camp began with fog all around

It looks as if the blue Knight isn't awake yet

The familiar aroma of bacon and sausage cooking began to fill the campsite which made me look forward to another great meal in the outdoors. The sun warmed us as we sat down to partake of our last breakfast in this campground on this trip. Again it was nice to visit and discuss the good times we had during our stay here next to the Rogue River.

That sure smells good — another breakfast outdoors before breaking camp

After breakfast it was time to break camp. With our motorhomes, this means pulling slides in, dumping holding tanks, and disconnecting utility services. For JB, bringing the slides in means he must clean the leaves off of the top of the slides before bringing them into his motorhome. To accomplish this on this trip, JB placed a small step ladder on the picnic table next to his motorhome. It looked a little strange, but it seemed to work very well.

JB cleans up before bringing in the slide

With the levelers pulled up, a small caravan formed as Vince led the way out of camp. It wasn't long until all four RVs were out on the road headed for beautiful downtown Gold Beach. JC and Connie would be turning north on Highway 101 while the remaining three motorhomes would head south. When we reached the highway we caught up with the morning fog. It seems that while we were treated to a bright sunny morning in camp, the fog hadn't burned off in town by the time we arrived.

Vince leads the way as we form a caravan while leaving this beautiful place

The fog was dense enough that when I turned onto the highway and looked down the road as it entered the bridge, I was unable to see the other side. In fact, I wasn't able to see Vince's motorhome in the lead of out traveling trio. This didn't last for long as the fog faded away from the road as we got farther away from the Rogue River. The scenery changed as we drove south as fingers of fog poked through the big redwood trees next to the highway. The rock formations next to the coast also had a serine look with a thin blanket of fog hanging around.

Heading south across the Patterson Bridge without being able to see the other side

Much of the driving on this day would be through very scenic redwood forests

Our plan was to get to a place along the highway next to the beach where we would dry-camp for the night. We arrived at the beach to find that overnight camping was now forbidden. So it was decided to continue on for a while.

When it was time for lunch, Vince led our caravan into a rest stop. It was nice to get out and stretch my legs. I walked up to a small trail that led to a great view overlooking the ocean. I turned around to see our motorhomes framed by the trees that lined the parking area. After lunch, a campground directory was consulted to find a nearby RV park where we could spend the night.

JB makes a phone call during our stop for lunch at a roadside rest area

The view a short distance from the roadside rest area

With a phone number in hand, an RV campground a few miles down the road was called to find that there were vacancies. Our group made its way to the road where the campground was located and things were not looking good. As we got closer, I think we all had decided that this wasn't the place for us to stay. The RV park was very old and not well kept. The campsites were so close to each other that a motorhome with a slide might not be able to put out an awning at the same time a slide was extended. The place looked almost as if it was a place for old RVs to go to die.

It was about a half block to where the road ended in a dead-end. Fortunately there was a seafood restaurant at the end of the road that had a parking lot big enough for our motorhomes to go in one end, make a u-turn in the lot, and come out the other end heading back the way we had come. It was a bit tight — with all of us towing a car — but we made it okay and found our way back to U.S. Highway 101.

A tight maneuver to get back to the highway after passing up an unsuitable campground

Out on the road I mentioned that there was an RV campground where I had always wanted to stay if ever I was in the area and needed a place to stay. I suggested that we head for the Benbow Valley RV Resort and Golf Course to spend the night. Even though it was farther than we planned to go, we had left Gold Beach early enough to be able to make it to Benbow.

Our trio of motorhomes had nice quiet sites at the end of the road

With this being the beginning of a weekend, we were fortunate to get three campsites together. I took the site on the end of the row which put out rig next to something I had never seen before. There was a pet-washing area called "The Salon 'd Soggy Doggy" that had everything needed to wash and pamper your pooch.

This is the first "Pet wash" I've seen

It was decided unanimously that we would go into town for dinner. A few miles north of the campground is the town of Garberville, California. Kay and I had the biggest car except it can seat only five and there were six people in our group. Rather than take two cars to town we had a volunteer who would ride in the cargo space in the back of our station wagon. I was somewhat surprised that JB was able to fit, but he insisted that he would be okay. I don't know how legal this was, but away we went to town.

Its a tight fit for JB, but he insisted and he seemed to be okay

Once in town I was following the directions of one of our people who knew of a great place to eat. There was only one problem; it appeared as if the sidewalks had been "rolled up" early in this town. As I drove around, we came upon a weird sight of an old van that was covered - and I mean really covered — with all kinds of flowers, figurines, and angels as well as other stuff. I had to stop and get a picture of this wild vehicle.

This has to be seen to be believed — it appears as if very little original surface is visible

Close-up detail of the unusual van

After getting underway again we found our way to a small place that was open named "Calico's Deli and Pasta." Inside was a nice little, eclectic sandwich shop. We all placed orders and found a table in the corner where we could see the coming-and-going of the customers. Many appeared to be regulars that knew everybody and everybody knew them. It was interesting to see a very diverse group of people that was reminiscent of the 1960s and 70s in the Haight-Asbury district in San Francisco.

After dinner it was time to head back to camp where we ended a very full and interesting day. Kay and I watched TV for a while before turning in for the night.

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