Our good friends Kevin and Pauline are the hosts in the Abalone Campground and always wanted us to come up and spend some time with them. Even though the campground was packed for the Labor Day weekend we still really enjoyed our time. The campground was closed on Monday afternoon for replacement of the water system but we were allowed to stay along with the hosts until Thursday when the water and all power was cut off. It was heaven to be in a campground with 85 sites and only two occupied (us and the hosts).
During our stay we met most of the rangers, the supervising ranger, and most of the staff. On Tuesday Kevin and Pauline invited a number of them to come for a taco dinner and bring their wives. Linda pitched in and made rice and beans and a fresh peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream. I don't know how many tacos Kevin made but he filled at least three 9x11 pans.
It was obvious that all the staff really appreciated having Kevin and Pauline as park hosts. We observed them doing a great job of taking care of the park and campers relieving the rangers of dealing with smaller issues.
During our stay we went to the Samoa Cookhouse near Eureka for breakfast. It is the old cookhouse for all that worked in the lumber mills in the area. Each day they have a specialty such as French toast, hash browns or pancakes but also serve all you can eat biscuits and gravy, eggs, sausage or bacon etc. You won't leave there hungry. After feasting we went to the town of Ferndale to check out the shops and the Victorian homes. Oh.... and to have some pie and ice cream.
There is lots to do in the area with Loleta Cheese factory in Loleta and Clendenen's Cider Works in Fortuna as well as shopping in Arcata (Holly-Yashi) in the square. North of Patrick's Point is Fern Canyon, Redwoods National parks and Lady Bird Grove.
Our Campsite
View from the Rim Trail
