Virtual Journey: to the Star Wars Flying Motorcycles Redwood Forest on Hwy 36 in Remote Humboldt County, CA, USA - and the Bridgeville UFO Festival, The Town of Mad River.

We Travel From Alton on Highway 101 a few Miles South of Eureka thru The Van Duzen River Valley All the Way to Red Bluff in the Central Valley.
Entering the Star Wars Flying Motorcycle Redwood Forest - Its Dark in there
Flying Saucer advertising The Bridgeville UFO Festival on Highway 36 Northern California USAPlans are in the works for the 2022 BridgeFest... 

It may or may not Happen... Sometime in August! 

Check before driving up there... https://www.bridgevillecommunitycenter.org/bridgefest.html

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Virtual Journey Starts Here!

From Eureka, Head South on Highway 101

Exit to Highway 36 from 101 - Humboldt County, CA
Exit to Highway 36 from 101
Humboldt County, CA 

But before You Go...
Continue South on 101 another Mile
and Visit the Rock Shop.

Sign for Chapman's Rock Shop

Inside Chapman's Rock Shop - Highway 101 - Humboldt County
Inside Chapman's Rock Shop

highway 101 entrance in Alton
We leave Highway 101
and head up into the Mountains


Warning sign on the way to Bridgeville, CA in Humboldt County, Highway 36
Warning sign on the way to Bridgeville, CA
Winding Road NOT Advisable...
To ME a Promise of Wonderful Things to Come.


24 miles to Bridgeville on Highway 36 in Humboldt County CA.
Only 24 Miles to Go before We Get to Bridgeville

Reynalds RV Repair and Storage on Highway 36 in Humboldt County CA
Reynolds RV Repair and Storage 

Rohnerville Air Attack Base at Highway 101 and Highway 36.
Satellite View of Rohnerville Air Attack Base.
At the Intersection of Highway 101 and Highway 36


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As the Shortest Road from Chico to Eureka I have driven this road many times. Including the first time, driving at Night when I was Doing Exploration of Eureka and Arcata in Preparation for Our Move... In 2001 when I Started Humboldt State University. The Stars are Super Bright and It's Dark and Clear Way out in the Woods... I also Drove the U Haul Truck with Everything we owned towing my little White Truck... 

Map of Northern California

Every time I wanted to go Visit Friends that live in Chico I chose #36 if Possible. It's also an option to Go on #299 to Redding or #20 at Clear Lake... Depending on the Snow... The Roads are Closed in the Winter. #299 goes from Arcata to Redding thru the Trinity Alps. #20 goes along the North Shore of Clear Lake. It's a Long Drive but OPEN During Snow Days. 

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The White Church in Hydesville on #36 in Humboldt County CA.
The White Church in Hydesville
the First Town on Our Journey

The Next Town is Carlotta. It was the Home of a Pacific Lumber Mill that Closed a Couple of Decades Ago. The Building Has been Entirely Removed...
Where the Pacific Lumber Mill was in Carlotta CA.
This is Where The Pacific Lumber Mill was. The Guardhouse is Still there to the Left of the Trees... 


There are No Photographs on Google Image Search of That Mill... It's as If IT NEVER HAPPENED.
There were Earth First! Protests and there are Photos of Those Events but The Mill Itself Has Faded Away into the Dustbin of History. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Lumber_Company
Earth First Lockdown at Carlotta Maxxam Mill

Here's a Historical Photo:
Timber Tee Pee Burner near Carlotta, CA - Pacific Lumber Company
Timber Tee Pee Burner. 
Years ago, the Sawdust and Wood Chips
 were Waste and they
Were Burned in These Giant Structures.


We stopped at a Grocery Store near Carlotta and they Had these Excellent Bears!
Benefit for the Fortuna High
School Track Team - Raffle
Big Bear in the same grocery store... 


The Road after we Leave Carlotta CA
The Road After We Leave Carlotta Looks Like This A LOT. On the Left is The Van Duzen River.

Van Duzen River on the Left Highway 36 Humboldt County CA.
Another Glimpse of the Van Duzen River

Beach at the Van Duzen County Park
Beach at the Van Duzen County Park -
Pamplin Grove

Link to a MAP:
https://goo.gl/maps/4ovvKfTCHmoSXasz6

Map of Swimmers Delight Campground:
https://goo.gl/maps/k4XebTsHkrbeBGfv5

People at the Beach - Swimmers Delight - Van Duzen River
People at the Beach - Swimmers Delight -
Van Duzen River

This is the Star Wars Forest Moon of Endor
Bridge over the Van Duzen River on Highway 36

Cheatham Grove Camoground - Van Duzen River.
and then a Mile or two up the road we get 
to the Cheatham Grove Campground... 
Link to the Google Map... Be Sure to Try the
Streetview Feature!
Map of the Star Wars Flying Motorcycle Redwood Forest


The most memorable parts of the speeder bike chase in the Star Wars movie Return of the Jedi were filmed in this grove in 1982. The grove wasn't added to the state park (and presumably wasn’t named Cheatham Grove) until 1983. Only the forward-looking steadicam shots were taken here; see the link below for more information. Sideways shots showing the riders in profile were taken from the back of a truck driving down the Avenue of the Giants, and scenes in which actors walk around in the redwoods were shot on much less impressive privately-owned land just north of Crescent City. (and that land has been logged)
Star Wars Scene - Flying Motorcycles


Grizzly Creek State Park near Carlotta, CA
Grizzly Creek State Park near Carlotta, CA

The Van Duzen River Satellite Photo - Highway 36 in Humboldt County CA.j

The Van Duzen River is Quite Squiggly! 
and The Road is Squiggly TOO!

Link to The Map of the Grizzly Creek redwoods State Park... https://goo.gl/maps/69HhTCRUrsjpF6GM6

Fallen Redwood Tree in the Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park
Fallen Redwood Tree in
the Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park

Stuffed Cat at the Ranger Station - Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park
Stuffed Cat at the Ranger Station

Footbridge over the Creek to the wild side of the Forest
Footbridge over Grizzly Creek
to the wild side of the Forest. 

I was shown a Hidden Footbridge over the EEL River on the Avenue of the Giants. On Days That I was Feeling Paranoid, I would walk to the Other Side of the EEL and Feel Safe... Almost NO PEOPLE are on the Other Side of the EEL and I'm Comfortable around animals... People are Strange... 

The Old Bridge over the Van Duzen River on Highway 36
The Old Bridge over
the Van Duzen River on Highway 36.
Photo taken From the New Bridge.

Swains Flat Outpost - a Convenience Store on Highway 36
A Few Miles Further on down the Road,,,
Swains Flat Outpost.
a Convenience Store on Highway 36

and Finally: Bridgeville...
Home of The Bridgeville UFO Festival.


UFO at the Bridgeville UFO Festival
People Set up Tents for Vending and Food
on the OLD Bridge... You can see them
in the Background... and there is a Contest 
to see who's Home Made UFO can Fly the 
Farthest when Thrown off the Bridge. 

Bridgefest on Highway 36 in Humboldt County
Bridgefest

People Dressed up as Aliens at Bridgefest in Bridgeville on Highway 36 in Humboldt County CA
People Dressed up as Aliens at Bridgefest 

New Bridge at Bridgeville on Highway 36 Humboldt County CA.
The New Bridge at Bridgeville... 
Allowed the Old Bridge to be Used for 
Entertainment!

A Tight Turn on Highway 36 going up into the Mountains.
A Tight Turn on Highway 36 
going up into the Mountains.


A Christian Summer Camp for Kids!

triumphant life camp swimming-pool
Triumphant Life Camp Swimming Pool

side road to a remote farm on Highway 36 near Dinsmore CA
Side Road to a Remote Farm 

Traveling on down the Side Road from Highway 36 near Dinsmore
Traveling on down the Side Road...
But Then Google Maps Stops...
Better Not Go There! Hippies!
Marijuana Farms! Shotguns! 



Satellite View of the Dinsmore Airport and the Van Duzen river
Satellite View of the Dinsmore Airport 
and the Van Duzen river
Many Miles of Forest and 
then The Town of Dinsmore... 

The Dinsmore Store on Highway 36 in Humboldt County CA

I've Shopped Here... Excellent! 
and there were a few Hippies With 
Backpacks in the Parking Lot Hoping to
Find Work as Trimmers During 
the Marijuana Harvest Season... 

Riverbend Park near Dinsmore, CA
a Few Miles on Down the Road from Dinsmore...
The Riverbend Park! Not a State Park, Not a County Park but a Trailer Park...



Mad River Ranger Station
Mad River Ranger Station
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/srnf/recarea/?recid=11520

Overlooking The Mad River Valley
Overlooking The Mad River Valley

Motorcycles in Mad River at the Burger Bar
Motorcycles in Mad River at the Burger Bar...

If you Look to the Left You'll see Hippies waiting
for a Job Offer as a Trimmer or a Ride or the Second Coming of Christ... Who Knows? They Have to Be Somewhere and This is a Fine Place to Have a Seat. 

Mad River Burger Bar
Mad River Burger Bar

Bikes in Mad River California Highway 36
More Bikes in Mad River...
and If You Look to the Right, 
Hippies with their Backpacks...

Snowy Dirt Road near Mad River CA
Snowy Dirt Road near the Town of Mad River

Just Beyond The Town of Mad River is the Turn off for Ruth Lake... It's 18 miles up a Twisty Road... 
I never went there because I turned 
Turnoff to Go to Ruth Lake 18 miles. Highway 36 Humboldt County CA USA


Ruth Lake, California off of Highway 36 in Humboldt County
Ruth Lake

The Actual Mad River looking Downstream
The Actual Mad River looking Downstream... 
This Flows all the Way to Arcata and Enters the Pacific Ocean There.

Silly Graffiti on a Bridge over the Mad River in Arcata CA
Silly Graffiti on a Bridge over 
the Mad River in Arcata, CA

The Joke is that He Got His Wish... I Was There! 
Here's Photographic Evidence that Proves IT!

UFO landing at the Mouth of the Mad River neat McKinleyville CA
UFO landing at the Mouth of the Mad River near Arcata, CA - Obviously Potatoshopped!

Swimmer in the Mad River at Forest Glen CA USA.jpg
Swimmer in the Mad River at Forest Glen.


Hells Gate Campground on the Mad River highway 36 Humboldt County CA USA
Hell's Gate Campground on the Mad River

The Fork in the Road - 3 or 36 - Redding or Red Bluff
The Fork in the Road - 
Highway 3 or Highway 36 -
Go to Redding or Red Bluff

Highway 3 Has a Downgrade Warning Sign Stating 10%... The Largest Number I Have Ever Seen...

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Somewhere out there on Highway 36 the road becomes one lane... and that's difficult to drive at night because there is No Yellow Stripe down the middle of the road to AIM the Truck At...
Maybe it has been made two lanes the entire way recently but... I started driving it in 2001... and I remember the Stars at night were Spectacular... it's so dark out there in the woods...
Today we Choose 36 to Red Bluff but not Susanville CA USA.
Today We Chose Highway 36 to 
Red Bluff but not as Far as Susanville. 

Someday I'll Explore Highway 3 That Goes all the Way to Meet Highway 5 near the Oregon Border... 
That's Another Even More Remote Area of Northern California, USA

I've been Saying "Someday" for Two Decades...
I'm Beginning to Have Doubts!

 If I Has Chosen Highway 3...
I Could Have Patronized the 
Growing Wild Garden Supply Store!
Growing Wild Garden Supply Store on Highway 3 near Hayfork CA USA
For all Your Fertilizer needs!
Just in Case You had a Marijuana Farm up there.
Inside the Growing Wild Garden Shop.  Hayfork, CA, USA.
Inside the Growing Wild Garden Shop
They Look Like Happy People... 


Here's a Farm on 36 as Seen from 
the Bridge over Hayfork Creek.
Farm in the Hayfork Creek Valley.jpg

Looking Downstream in the Hayfork Creek Valley Humboldt County CA USA
Looking Downstream in the Hayfork Creek Valley 

St Xenias Skete - Russian? church on Highway 36
St Xenia's Skete
Beautiful Christian Orthodox monastery dedicated to St. Xenia's. It was amazing to hear the story about St. Xenia from Olga. This monastery is under Serbian orthodox church which was a big surprise to me. - Said F.P.

Critter Creek Campground - Highway 36 Humboldt County California USA
Critter Creek Campground
In Wildwood, CA

Harrison Gulch Cemetery - Highway 36 - California
Harrison Gulch Cemetery

Harrison Gulch Ranger Fire Station - Shasta Trinity National Forest.j
Harrison Gulch Ranger & Fire Station
Shasta Trinity National Forest

St Herman of Alaska Monastery in Platina. Shasta County CA USA.
St Herman of Alaska Monastery in Platina. 
Shasta County, CA, USA.

St Herman of Alaska Monastery in Platina CA
Inside the Monastery

and We Come out of the Redwood Forest
and Enter the Oak Flatlands of the California
Central Valley... 
 
Wild Horse Ranch on 36 Near Red Bluff CA USA.
Wild Horse Ranch 
Near Platina!

Signs at the Baker Fire Station Highway 36 CA USA
Signs at Baker Fire Station
Beware those that Travel West... 

Satellite View of Baker Fire Station near Red Bluff CA USA

Notice How Few Trees There Are.
Quite a Different Climate Than Up There
in the Redwood Forest...  


Biker on 36 near Red Bluff, CA, USA
It seemed to me That the OAK Flatlands 
Between the Mountains and Red Bluff was Endless... Here's a Biker Enjoying That Classic Motorcycle Ride... Many People Come from The Bay Area and Go Up Highway 101 then take a Right Hand Turn on 36 and Return Home on 5... It's a Weekend Loop with a Night Staying at a Campground or Motel Up in the Mountains. 



Oak Grove near Red Bluff CA USA
An Oak Grove Near Red Bluff. 
One night I was Camping in my 
Ford Windstar Van and... 
All Night Long, at Random intervals, 
Acorns would land on the roof of the Van
and Scare Me! With a Big Noise that
Sounded Like a Gunshot. 

I often pulled off onto dirt Roads like this 
to avoid being Hassled by Police... 

I never Kept any Illegal Marijuana in the Van
because when I was Driving around and
Sleeping in the Van... I met a Lot of Police!

The Locals Reported STRANGER DANGER!


Holiday Inn in Red Bluff CA USA
Holiday Inn in Red Bluff CA USA

and This is where I Stay if I've Just Driven
From Eureka... That's Enough Driving!
Now, a Shower and then
Off to that Mexican Restaurant!

Casa Ramos Restaurant in Red Bluff CA USA
Casa Ramos Restaurant in Red Bluff, CA, USA

Humboldt County Outlined in Red. California, USA.
Humboldt County Outlined in Red. 
Northern California, USA.

What an Excellent Journey!

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Other Journeys

~~~~~~ (~);-} ~~~~~~

Virtual Journey: Canada Tourist Guide & Autobiography. We Went on our Honeymoon to Vancouver, BC. We Rode a Bicycle built for Two in Stanley Park... and Many More Wonderful Places to Visit.


Virtual Journey: Eureka, Arcata, Trinidad - Visit Northern California's Coast. We Have Our Own Little World Here Behind The Redwood Curtain! https://gvan42.blogspot.com/2022/05/eureka-arcata-trinidad.html


Virtual Journey: Trinity Alps, CA, USA - Drive the Bigfoot Highway (299) From Arcata on the Coast to Redding in the Central Valley. White Water Rafting! Gold Rush Ghost Towns!


Virtual Journey: to the Star Wars Flying Motorcycles Redwood Forest on Hwy 36 in Remote Humboldt County, CA, USA - and the Bridgeville UFO Festival, The Town of Mad River. 

https://gvan42.blogspot.com/2022/03/virtual-journey-hwy-36-remote-humboldt.html


Virtual Journey: Lost Coast, CA, USA on Highway 211 - From Victorian Ferndale to The Beach, the Mountains of Mateel to the Avenue of the Giants. Humboldt County. 

https://gvan42.blogspot.com/2022/03/a-virtual-drive-thru-remote-humboldt.html


Virtual Journey to San Francisco - Boat Ride on the Red and White Fleet. Under the Golden Gate Bridge and Around Alcatraz Island... and MORE!

Virtual Journey: The Smithsonian and Washington DC. Instead of Buying Gasoline and Driving There, Take this Magic Trip Instead! A Guided Tour to the Places My Family Wanted to See... 


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