Living Among the Elk

May 14-20, 2019
Trinidad, California

Very few parks named mountain view have views of mountains. Seldom is an oceanside park really beside the ocean. Our stay at coyote valley had no coyotes. 

So when making reservations at Elk Country RV Park, I'm not expecting more than a brief glimpse of any elk during our week's stay.

Our site is in the meadow, there are also some in the forest. We're on Hwy 101 but never hear any road noise. Unlike many parks, they try to keep empty spaces between each RV. As a result we never have neighbors on any side. Well, no human neighbors anyway.

We arrive Tuesday afternoon in the rain. Although the address is Trinidad, we're 20 miles north of the little community. 10 miles further north is the even smaller town of Orick. There's nothing here but state parks and glorious natural beauty.

Wednesday the rain continues and we stay home watching movies. Mid-day Tessa barks at the windshield, and there are the Elk! They wander through the meadow and spend hours grazing at the old schoolhouse on the grounds of our park. Almost all cows, with a handful of very young bucks.

Still raining on Thursday, we head into Trinidad for lunch on the bay. We'll come back to enjoy the beach on a clear day.

While enjoying our lunch out of the rain, the owner's floating dock has broken loose and is slamming against the small pier. Since it's how passengers load for fishing trips, it's destruction could end their season before it begins. 

Trinidad Bay, without all the small fishing boats due to the storm.

There are numerous lagoons in the area. This is Big Lagoon.

The continuous rain sends us home.

Meanwhile, Ezra and his parents are enjoying the first of three days at Disneyland where the weather is much better!

Friday morning we have bright blue skies. And lots of neighbors. On all sides. I count 57 in the herd!

Mom! We're surrounded!

Seriously! They're on every side of us!

When the herd moves to the schoolhouse meadow we head to the beach. In my opinion, Trinidad Beach is the most beautiful in California!

The water is really cold, but this young boy plays in the surf the whole time we're here.

We spend a lot of time enjoying the crash of the surf.

Fun with rocks.

Walking among the rocks at high tide is a treat.

The little hippie college town of Arcata has a great vibe with musicians and creative dancers playing in the square. Lunch at the Big Blue Cafe is tasty, and a stop at the herb and tea shop is a must. 

On the way home we take the scenic drive south of Trinidad. It's narrow and full of sinks and holes along the cliffs, but the views are stunning.

Day two at Disneyland is going well!

S'up little dude?

Cinderella chatted with Ezra for a bit, telling him how well he speaks for a three year old. He was smitten.

Another full day of rain on Saturday, then we get out on a couple fun back roads through the redwoods and prairies. There is so much to see and appreciate in this wild place. 

And of course living with the elk herd for a week is very special.

Coffee with the gang. They don't mind me or Tessa.

Such pretty ladies.

Back among the majestic giants.

A place to stop and dance with elk :-)

Big Tree - 286 feet high, 1500 years old!

Love it!

Magical pockets along the trail.

A first for me - hand crank to listen to four different recorded stories. 

Another herd near Orick.

Red Creek Overlook where the ocean is higher than the mountains. Hmmmm......

Above the redwood forest is this beautiful prairie land.

Little piece of heaven.

A nice section of beach across Hwy 101 from the park.

In case you're wondering where the tallest totem pole is - it's here in McKinleyville. Just as impressive, it's over 500 years old!

Ezra had the best time in Disneyland, and his parents and other grands all survived!

Our very own little Sully.

Cooler than the car :-)

One of our top five favorite parks, we loved our time with the large elk herd. Next we move into Oregon.