Samoa Cookhouse

When my late husband Ben and I used to visit Northern California, one of our favorite places to eat was the Samoa Cookhouse in Eureka, CA. It is still just like it was when they used to feed the loggers and mill workers. The food is served "family style" and they keep it coming until you tell them you are full.

Butte Creek Canyon

My older brother lives in northern California and the scenery up there is beautiful. He lives in a town called Paradise which is in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. The town of Chico lies in the Central Valley of California. Between Paradise and Chico, there is a beautiful canyon called Butte Creek Canyon. We try to go there whenever I visit my brother.

Butte Creek Canyon

I visit this area every time I visit my brother in northern California. Butte Creek Canyon is in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. It runs from the mountains down to the town of Chico, CA. It is referred to as the "Smaller Grand Canyon". There is a cool covered bridge in the bottom of the canyon too.

Palco Lumber Company - Scotia, CA

Ben and I would always visit the Pacific Lumber Company (Palco) in Scotia, CA. They used to have a self-guided tour and we would doe the tour every time we were in that area. Scotia is a small company-owned town with a great museum and quaint little houses that all look exactly alike. The lumber company closed down a few years back.

Neveda City, CA

One year when Ben and I had gone up to the Northern California Coast on vacation, we deiced to on the way home that we would visit his sister Donna. At the time, she and her family were living in Nevada City, CA and Ben and I had never been there before. The town is an old mining town and very historic. It is nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range and the area is beautiful.

Forest Creatures

Ben and I loved the north coast of California. We loved the redwood trees, the small towns and the way of life. We made so many trips up there. We had our favorite spots to visit and this was one of them. The Legend Of Bigfoot Gift Shop just outside of Garberville, CA on Hwy. 101. We visited this shop every time we were in the area and I still have several of the items that I purchased there.

Nevada City, CA

One year after Ben and I had stayed in Humboldt County, CA for a few days, we headed toward the Gold Country of California. Ben's sister Donna was living in Nevada City, CA at the time, so we spent a day and a night with her and her family. I loved this little town and would love to visit it again.

Along Hwy. 1 In Humboldt County, CA

I think I shot this scene in the early 1980's when Ben and I went up to California's Humboldt County a few months after we were married. I guess you could say that this was our "honeymoon" trip. Thought I'd share this as April 5th would have been our 35th wedding anniversary.

Main Street - Ferndale, CA

Main Street Ferndale, CA. This was the favorite vacation place for me and my late husband Ben. Ferndale is an historic Victorian Village in Humboldt County. It is near the redwood trees and the ocean. Ben always said that Ferndale was his "Mayberry". We wanted to move there after retirement, but that dream never came to be as Ben passed away in 2011.

Humboldt Bay Marina - Eureka, CA

Took this photo of the marina area of Eureka, CA about 30 years ago. Since that time, they have built it up and it now has a very nice board walk along the water.

The Fernbridge

This is the Fernbridge. It crosses the Eel River between the town of Fernbridge, CA and the village of Ferndale, CA in Humboldt County (Northern California). There have been seasons when the water from the river is all the way up to the arches. One of the dryer seasons, Ben and I walked down into the riverbed and I took this photo. If you have seen the movie "Outbreak" and if you remember the scene where the military is driving trucks and Hummers across a bridge, this is that bridge.

The Legend Of Big Foot

The Legend Of Big Foot Gift Shop is locate just outside of the town of Garberville, CA along Hwy 101 in the California Redwoods. Ben and I made it a point to stop by there every time we were in the area. Sometimes you can see an artist carving these redwood statues with a chainsaw. I have a small redwood bear that was carved by chainsaw. Also have a nice wind chime and a wind spinner from this shop.

The Eel River In Humboldt County, CA

Ben and I loved this area of Northern California. We went there at least once a year from the 1970's until the 2000's. For years we wanted to move up there and thought about doing it after we retired, but that plan died when Ben died. This shot is along the Avenue Of The Giants.

The Eel River 1976

This is the Eel River that runs along Highway 101 in northern California near Garberville, CA. It also runs through The Avenue Of The Giants in the California Redwoods. Took this shot the first time Ben and I went up to this area of California together. It was also our first long motorcycle trip. Ben had a Honda Goldwing 1000 and I had a Honda Silverwing 500.

The Eel River

This is the Eel River in Humboldt County, CA. It runs along U.S Hwy. 101 and The Avenue Of The Giants. It is my favorite place in the whole world. Ben and I used to go up to Northern California every year and explore the back roads.

Fisherman's Memorial

This is the Fisherman's Memorial on Woodley Island in Eureka, CA. This is a beautiful spot to visit, especially early in the morning. You will see all kinds of sea birds and sea lions in the marina.

Fernbridge

Viewing the Fernbridge from Highway 101 near Fortuna, CA. This bridge crossed the Eel River and leads you to the town of Ferndale, CA which was Ben's and my favorite place in the whole world.

The Eel River Along The Avenue Of The Giants - Northern California

As you drive through The Avenue Of The Giants in the California Redwoods, you will also drive along the Eel River. This area was Ben's and my favorite part of the state.

Honey Run Covered Bridge Near Paradise, CA

This bridge is in Butte Creek Canyon between Paradise, CA and Chico, CA.