Heading into California, you see things like Eucalyptus trees and Coastal Redwoods, and you know you are not in the Pacific Northwest anymore.

After dropping off the RV we headed to Samoa beach to run the dogs. ‘Samoa was given its current name in honor of a contemporary crisis in the Samoan Islands in 1890s. It was assumed that its harbor was similar to the harbor of Pago Pago in American Samoa, and the town was consequentially named Samoa. It was originally known as Brownsville, named for James D.H. Brown, who was the owner of a dairy ranch established in 1859.’-wikipedia (see previous post for pics of dogs on Samoa Beach).

Having worked up an appetite we went to the Samoan Cookhouse, one of the last remaining lumber style cookhouses catering to the lumberjacks.  There were historic pictures of all the enormous trees that they logged and the culture surrounding the logging community throughout the cookhouse.

The food was plentiful and delicious. We arrived in time to have breakfast which included orange juice, coffee, tea, scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, link sausage and French toast made with fresh baked bread.

Driving through the historic part of Eureka you see awe-inspiring homes many built of redwood.  One of the best known homes is the Carson Mansion (first pic).  In addition to the redwood, primavera or “white mahogany” from Central American, as well as other exotic woods and onyx front the Philippines, India, Central America and Mexico were used in the building of the mansion.  I really would like to return here, there is so much more to see and do.   The next post will be on our tour through the Avenue of the Giants.