Senior News September, 2002 Vol. 21. No.  9

 

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Pan Dulce Steel Orchestra

Newsbriefs

Redwood Reading Service

Spotlight on the California Commission on Aging

Eureka and Del Norte learn about communication and behavior

Brookings: Journey of life takes us to just the right place

McKinleyville: Heroes

Crossing the Border

Sand Hills, Nebraska

Southern Humboldt County

Events at HSRC

Community Calendar

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Crossing the border
Brookings Bunch gathers for activities, lunch and fun
by Jan Norwood

Seven years ago, in mid-December's pouring rain, my husband and I were literally climbing the walls, looking for something to do in this tiny town of Brookings. It seemed I had all of the brochures from places like ranches and bed and breakfast inns, but realized without a group behind me, these were places we could never visit on our own.

So I started what I then called the Saturday Safari for Grown-ups, meaning specifically people over 50. It started with a soft fizzle, with just four people showing up for the first tour. But I persisted, eventually having tours every week, rain or shine, throughout the entire year. We often had standing room only as the tours became more popular. Costs were minimal, just enough to cover gas, postage and printing, $3 a person for morning tours, $5 for day-long tours. Other than lunches, everything else was free.

We went everywhere, and saw more than 1,250 different places within Del Norte and Curry counties. Once a year we took an average of 20-30 people on a trip out of town for three or four days. Our last out-of-town trip was May 2001 to Fortuna and Arcata, and it was great fun.

Because we always want to know about back alley finds, that trip took us to the Foodworks in Arcata, a tour of the Co-op in Arcata and the Humboldt Natural Science Museum. In Fortuna, we also visited the train depot, a parmesan cheese factory, the Gem and Mineral shop, the Ciderworks and a native plant garden. We spent the morning with Hobart Brown, the kinetic guy, in his living room in Ferndale. None of the places we visit, here or anywhere else, are touristy. We go to llama ranches, abalone farms, toy stores, art galleries, oyster digging, beachcombing and redwood park trails that are easy and flat.

We cancelled the tours last fall so I could have a break, but the old itches returned. This summer we had a monthly program which will extend into fall. It is a great program for seniors.

Check out Trillium Falls in Orick

I've got to promote the Trillium Falls trail hike, just .4 of a mile from the parking lot at Elk Meadow day use area. Old growth redwood trees line the trail along with ferns and huckleberry plants. Along the route are several memorial groves in existance thanks to generous donations from the Save-The-Redwood League. The trail loops around and back to the parking lot and encompasses 2.5 total miles, but you can return on the easier trail of just .5 a mile that you just hiked.

The falls were once part of the water supply for the large Davison ranch which wound through the entire area north of Orick. When the California Park system came in, they literally removed seven acres of asphalt to restore meadows for elk and other wildlife. The asphalt was used again to create hiking/biking trails throughout the park. The mill was situated on that site once upon a time, not long ago.

It's a great trip to the falls and back the same way, and not too rough for seniors. The turnoff to the day use area is Davison Road at Rolf's German Restaurant, about four miles north of Orick. Follow the signs from the restaurant into the new parking area at the top of the hill. Turn left into the new parking area, not straight ahead or you will be on gravel road heading west to Gold Bluff Beach. There is no day use fee for this park.

Surrounding this magnificent trail are meadows and very possibly elk are present as well. In the early fall, which is the rutting season, these elk males will be heard bellowing and even clashing antlers with other males seeking to take over females and territory.

Jan Norwood of Brookings, Oregon, invites Humboldt residents to join the Brookings bunch on their outings. Her e-mail is seniorlink@nwtec.com.