Crescent City to Cave Junction

Crescent City to Cave Junction
Pros of our “apartmentlodging” in CC: superb ocean view, price, almost kitchen, clean
Cons of our “apartmentlodging”: garage is filthy and smells of a mixture of wet dirty dog, mold, the outside of the apartment is falling apart, the “welcome” mat is so filthy we couldn’t even step on it.

We have a plug problem, a peculiarity of the 21st century. In the past, when people traveled perhaps they need a plug for their hair dryer or electric shaver. Then we needed plugs for our computers (all those lamps on desks started sprouting them—at least in the higher end hotels—not in the apartmentlodging rentals). Now, you should see our electronic devices: mom has a hearing aid, we have cell phones, a computer, a noisemaker, the lamps in the room (which we had to unplug, so ironically enough we are returned to the 19th century in that we have to navigate by natural light).
Upon reconsideration, if you have to stay in Crescent city, stay at the Hampton Inn and Suites. It’s right on the ocean and offers spectacular views. There is NOTHING to do in CC, but the Redwoods are so close by, it’s worth it. We loved our morning walk along the ocean. It was stark and beautiful. It’s not like southern California coastline, but big rock formations line the coast and further out, suggesting that ships passing by would steer clear of the area. We spent over an hour enjoying that scenery.
We headed to a great trail in the Redwoods on Hwy. 199 (Redwood Highway). The best thing about redwood trails are the silence—I was thinking today that it’s a special silence as if the trees are encasing us in their own world. I have to stop often and just stand there gazing at them. It’s scary that they might some day be gone. Hope that doesn’t happen. I would hate for future generations to miss those hikes.
The drive up to Oregon Caves was uneventful until we got to Cave Junction where we stopped at a great sausage shop/café, Taylor’s Sausage. We ordered the hot sausage, the cheddar brat and the special fo the dday which was chicken and biscuits. We loved the sausage—all made locally and with a good bite and texture. These are the firm frankfurters that pop when you bite them. I drowned mine in jalapenos and spicy mustard (that made my nose run), and tons of pickle relish. I hate to admit it but I ate the leftorvers the next morning for breakfast, COLD! Sounds gross, I know, but it was wonderful. But the real winner was Asha’s chicken and biscuits. We all sampled that. It had real carrots and tasty chicken (what the heck! I was expecting frozen carrots which I have a passionate hatred for, and tasteless chicken). It was full flavored and yummy for every bite. And, I must say the service here was so cheerful and friendly. The counter girl told us that the treats were made by her landlord, so we figured that was pretty local and got a brownie and fudge. I have to say, I didn’t care for either. But I don’t like fudge so that doesn’t really count. It was peanut butter fudge but it was like eating pure sugar. No thank you. The brownie had little chocolate flavor, although it was quite moist.
After Taylor’s we headed for the Holland loop to sample a couple vineyards. I had read that Bridgeview and Foris were good. So that’s where we headed. Bridgeview looked promising. But, let me back up and describe the vineyard areas. Totally different from northern CA. No hills, dry, hot and almost like we were driving through wheatfields. At Foris, the pourer explained that the area has four full seasons so it’s an interesting atmosphere for grapes. The main grapes they both had were merlot and cab and pinot with a few others. Bridgeview is a beautiful tasting room surrounding a pond (and, of course, there is a bridge) and if you could bring your own wine and sit out overlooking the pond, the visit would be worth it. But I was not impressed with the wines. However, they were decently priced and they weren’t swill. They were just basic, okay wines. I tried whites and reds and left without buying, which I don’t usually do because I feel an obligation to buy something after all that tasting (especially when there is no tasting fee). I should have just given the guy ten bucks.
Foris was slightly better. The tasting room is secluded and off the beaten path, but not as pretty as bridgeview, but the pourer is very talkative and expressive.