Stromboli's Rolling Log: Day 52, May 24, 2018, Move from Endocino CA, to Crescent City , CA... More Redwoods and a trailer repair.

The advice was "...NOT to travel with "a" trailer on Route #1 from Endocino to Crescent City CA". It is doable with a car or small truck, but trailers ( and Big Motor Homes) would be hazardous for many reasons. The curves, the "non existent" shoulders in most places, a narrow road (9 foot lanes), hills and stopping traffic if you are too slow will make it a hazardous trip.

So we took the alternate route and that worked out fine. CA 20 out of Fort Bragg heading east to US 101 is fine. A bit winding and hilly,bit even big rigs are able to move along when watching the curve signs and you should respect them. No.... you BETTER respect them. The scenery is excellent with many Coastal Pines, some Douglas Fir and Eucalyptus along the way. There are few farms as the terrain is very steep.

Arriving in Willits, CA at about 10:30 we thought about stopping at the place I could not get on the phone as we were "mountain locked" and could not get a phone signal in Mendicino. As we approached the end of CA 20 in Willits, we did not know which way the entrance to US 101 was. So take a guess and we turned right. Fortuitous it was, and I'll tell you why. It did not look right, so we stopped and asked a man at an O'Reilly's Auto Parts who was standing in the driveway. He remarked that my back brakes were locking up as they 'stuttered' when we stopped. He was right and that was the exact purpose we were looking for "101 Trailer and RC" .,He said it was just across the street a way. We headed there and the clerk told us to go see "Chuck" in the back by the cement building. (See)

This was the "cement" building where I introduced myself to "Chuck"

We had a discussion an=bout the problem with the brakes on the trailer freezing up at times.They needed adjustment. He was very helpful and stated that he would look at them and if they needed adjustment he would do that and if anything was needed besides that he would not be able to do that as ati would take too much time. So I agreed to the "contract" and he got to work. This man had 37 years experience in brakes, with trucks and RVs of all kinds. He had worked there 17 years and that said something to me. He was efficient, friendly, looked like and talked like he knew what he was doing. He had the first pair "up to snuff" and they were fine. He checked them on the calibrator and started the second set on the passengers side. One was fine but the second one was either with a cut a wire or the magnet s were worn down so they wouldnot s=respond. He told me hefelt that he could replace that one if i wanted and would sell me a used pair that has practically zero mileage on it that he had just taken off a trailer. I agreed to the used one and he replaced the brake assembly with the "new"one. 45 minutes after he started, he was finished. I felt good and he also said that that would get us home in good shape . (After I tried them on 101 going to Crescent City they worked fine on all those hills and curves) . We talked about tires and a bent axle that was wearing two tires and gave me some advice on that. All in all it was a blessing that we turned the wrong way on 110 in Willits as we had to go the other way to get to 101 going north. So here are a few pics of the journey along US 101 to the coast.

Scenes along Highway US 101 from Willits to Crescent City CA. Many winding roads and some fog up in the mountains. This stretch of road also includes the Valley of the Giants where there are many camping grounds available.

There were many road stoppages . Many washouts this year.

WHAT A SMALL TOWN IN THE N. CALIFORNIA "WOODS" IS LIKE...
Myers Flat's downtown consists of a general store, the "Four Mori Market"; a coffee–espresso shop called "The Daily Grind"; The "Trading Post" saloon; "Drive Through Tree"; an antique and used item store, "Latz in the Flats"; A gift shop called "To Dye For Designs" that does custom embroidery as well as unique tie-dye clothing; "Riverbend Cellars" Winery; the "Groves" restaurant; The "Myers Inn", a bed and breakfast; and the "Knights Restaurant" (now closed). There is also a RV park called "Giant Redwoods RV", and a laundromat called "Myers Flat Laundromat" (now closed). Some of the town is connected to the local Myers flat utilities and the town has its own volunteer fire department. Population in 2010 was 146 people.

Read below for info on this old lumbering town.

Myers Flat was founded by the Myers family in the mid-19th century. The Myerses were some of the first homesteaders in the area, growing apples, pears, sweet potatoes, and corn. The town initially served as a coach stop for travelers on their way to San Francisco. The Morrison-Jackson mill was started and was active for a long time until the mid 80s when the mill closed down. The old mill site and most of its land are now a part of Riverbend Cellars and much of the land is covered in grape vineyards. Much of the town was destroyed in the flood of 1964. Because of its shallow elevation and proximity to the Eel River, the town still has problems with flooding. The town lies below the 100-year flood line. Much of the town is trailers and cabins and some people have homes built to withstand flood waters.

Because of its location at the southern entrance to Humboldt Redwoods State Park, the town receives much tourism during the summer months, The town has wine tasting and cold beer at the local market–saloon as well as off-sale liquor. Seasonally other events such as the "Redwood Run" and various music festivals bring people from all over the world to Myers Flat. Myers Flat is made up of many families and young people. The local slogan is "Myers Flat is where it's at”.

Again there were the Redwoods.

Many curves and twists in the road

More curves

And more curves

Empty logging trucks going back for more.

Some clouds set in.

And the clouds get heavier.

You didn't see a straight stretch of road , did you ? Then before the coast, the land opens up leaving the Redwoods behind to catch the mists off the Ocean.