5th Anniversary Road Trip - Bay Point to Eureka

Arby's! Boy has Jason missed their Roast Beef sandwiches.

We came here just for those Roast Beef sandwiches. Jason had three and he enjoyed them oh, so much. With some horsey sauce and Arby's sauce, he was practically in fast food heaven.

Megan had a crispy chicken cordon bleu sandwich. Add in some fries and soda and we got out for about $12.

Service was friendly (we even got an extra roast beef sandwich for free) and quick!

Best Things Nearby:
The campsite is near Eureka and Arcata.

Best Things About the Resort:
Friendly staff, low prices, great location.

Resort Experience:
The campground was nicely laid out with various types of sites available for rental (RV, tent, cabin, cottages). There are several "hot deals" going on and we were able to secure a cabin of about 150 square feet for $25 a night. The campground staff was friendly and helpful. They were knowledgeable about local places to dine and be entertained—there were even coupons available for local eateries. There is a small store with gift and food items, a hot tub, seasonal pool, recreation room (wasn't open at the time of visit but had several movies, books, pool table and video games), laundry and bathing facilities. The campground also has free wireless Internet.Our cabin was small but had a double bed and a set of twin bunk beds. There was a small shelf, a mirror, two windows with curtains, a desk and chair. A heater was provided since it was cold. Outside there is a porch swing for two, a bench, a porch light and a picnic table and barbecue.This was a great base for exploring Eureka and Arcata. It was clean and comfortable with friendly staff and low prices. Our experience here has made us want to bring up our extended family for a stay and we are now looking at KOA camps for our next vacation.

• Campground Type: Private
• Campsite Type: Cabin
• Price Range: $20 - $30
• Cleanliness: Very Good
• Campground Facilities: Very Good
• Recreational Facilities: Satisfactory
• Campsite Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

My mom raved about Chapala, so when we were in town we decided to stop in.

We came in at 8pm on a Tuesday and were seated right away with a bowl of chips and salsa. I noted that they charge $1.50 for this, but we weren't.

We ordered, and the food was delivered quickly. Jason had the two burrito special, which came with rice and beans for $8.50. It was good, but nothing special. Megan had three Flatuas for $7.75. The flatuas were filled with meat that was tasty but not very flavorful.

The restaurant is very nice inside, with a large mural and several paintings lining the walls. There is a large second floor for banquets and the staff was friendly, although not at the top of their game.

We had water to drink because sodas were $1.25, with a 50 cent charge per refill. There are also beer, wine, and mixed drinks available. A children's menu is available as well, although it only lists Mexican food items.

We wouldn't go back only because the food was only so-so, but if others persuaded us to join them we would.

Blue Ox Millworks, Historic Park and School of Traditional Arts, is famous worldwide, but practically unknown in it's hometown.

The craftsmen here have fashioned pieces for Victorian homes and the White House. At this working wood shop you can see artisans honing their craft and on the right day, teenagers learning a trade as well.

At $7.50 for adults you get a self guided tour that starts off with a 20 minute talk by a worker who demonstrates some of the equipment and talks about the history and future of this place.

At Blue Ox you can see the following: wood working, printing presses, stains and varnishes, saw mill, shingle mill, lath house, ceramics, blacksmith shop, machine shop, boat works, the stable, a skid camp and a few buildings from the old times (general store, theater, bunkhouse, cook shack). There are plans to put up a Victorian village of sorts where other artists (glass blowers) of the old time would work.

Jason's comments: It was more interesting than it sounds like it ought to be. The guided portion of the tour explained things about Victorian woodworking and tools that I hadn't even suspected. Beyond that, the combination of the roughness of the physical plant with the delicacy of the work produced is a very interesting juxtaposition and in and of itself worth the price of admission. The self guided portion of the tour was interesting if somewhat short and muddy (due to recent rains) and the collection of tools that ought to be in a museum but are instead in daily use is really something to see.

Megan's comments: This was surprisingly interesting, I wasn't sure about the price or the place, but Jason wanted to go so I did. I still don't think it was worth $7.50 but coming on a day when kids were there and in the summer when they employ more people it probably would be.

We plan to go back in the summer, they also have special theme days. Call to inquire about dates.

Website: www.blueoxmill.com
Phone: (707) 444-3437 or (800) 248-4259
Prices: $7.50 Adults, $6.50 Age 62+, $3.50 Kids 6-12

When you walk in to this funky atmosphere you realize you are in for something different. The locals are here in droves, bellying up to the bar for a beer. The menu is a little different for a brewery, offering a welcome change to the ordinary.

There's soup and chowder, nachos, wings and soft pretzels. They have six different salads ($6.99 to $8.99), Burgers and chicken sandwiches ($6.99 to $8.50), Fish and chips, quesadillas, Eight Ball Stout Beef Stew, Tacos, Pasta ($8.99 to $11.99) and Pizza.

Jason had the Famous Hot Brown ($7.99), sliced beef roasted in Downtown Brown beer with bacon, cheddar and ranch. Megan had the Navajo Chicken Sandwich ($7.99), Indian fry bread, chicken, onions, lettuce and guacamole.

Jason's comments: Good beer, fairly good food, kinda pricey. Don't forget to check out the chalkboard in the men's bathroom above the urinals! Megan's comments: The locals come here, service needs great improvement, food was okay. Will we come back? Maybe, just to pick up some beer though. The overall feeling was that it felt pricey and the service wasn't good.

We were able to purchase some beer at a great discount due to minor packaging problems, at $20 plus tax and CRV for 24 bottles, it was practically a steal!

Food is served from 11am until midnight and drinks are served until 1am. There is a happy hour Monday-Friday from 4-6pm. You can download their menu from their website.

Website: www.lostcoast.com
There is free WiFi available at all hours. Park in the back, 50 cents for 10 hours or on a side street, free for 2 hours.

Ciara's Irish shop was warm and bustling the day we stopped in. There was a large variety of men's hats, which my husband immediately starting trying on.

Prices were a little on the expensive side, but everything was beautiful and of high quality.

The shop featured items from Ireland as well as Australia and other far flung countries. There were tons of sweaters and clothing, especially for women under a size 12. Not much men's clothing, and nothing for larger sized ladies.

The jewelery section was small but tasteful and there was even a sale case. I was able to purchase a small charm for $14.50 which was 50% off.

Phone number: (707)443-0102

Open days and weekends.

Scrapper's Edge is right across from the main post office in Eureka.

Friendly staff who also double as a copy shop with binding options. Nothing really unique or different, but there were several specials going on that were good.

Phone number: 707-445-9686
Website: www.ScrappersEdge.net
Hours: Monday-Friday 9-5:30, Saturday 10-3, Thursdays until 6:30.

This had to be one of the funnier moments on our trip. We decided to get into nature and go for a walk at the Azalea State Reserve.

Megan expected trail maps and maybe a ranger. Instead we got a gravel lot with a picnic table and a sign stating the park was open sunrise to sunset.

We also didn't see any flowers. Azaleas are supposed to bloom in April and May, but due to the heavy rains, blooming had been delayed. Well, actually we saw one flower, it was at that point that we realized neither of us knew what an azalea looked like!

The main trail is a loop and it's a pretty easy walk. Even us two out of shape people and a toddler we saw made it around in about 20 minutes.

Directions: On 101 take the McKinleyville exit and go 2 miles on North Bank Road, turn left on Azalea Avenue. The reserve will be on your left.
Web: www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=420