California Trip - Days 1, 2 and 3.

Monday, May 12, 2025 - We began our trip to California, first with a drive south to Ashland, Oregon and two nights there.  We checked in to the Ashland Creek Inn, a very posh place just a few blocks from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival theaters, and next to Ashland Creek.  The creek was in full flow.  Our room, Canton, was one of ten "apartments" of various sizes themed around exotic locations.  Ours contained Chinese furniture and artifacts.

We enjoyed a simple meal shortly after arriving at the Brickhouse Restaurant.  The weather was intermittent showers, which ended by the next day.

Tuesday, May 13th - Breakfast was served at 9 am by Graham, the owner, who was very talkative and mingled with all the guests.  He has run the inn for 25 years.  Breakfast included a fruit smoothie, coffee, a plate of cut fruits, and rich egg cannellonis.  Interestingly, no sweet breads or toasts.

After breakfast, we wandered around town, stopping at Safeway to buy a bag of Sisters Coffee to give to Stephanie, and the bookstore.  While it didn't rain, temperatures were a bit cool.  We had a lunch of fruit in our room before going off to the first of two plays.  The matinee play was entitled Fat Ham, a modern take on Hamlet centered on a black family plus others in North Carolina.  After the play, we went shopping at Paddington's, for more gifts for the Castro Valley family.

We dined at Cocorico, in the enclosed and heated patio.  We enjoyed a nice meal of buttery mussels (for ETP), and steelhead (for PWT), and shared a salad.  Two glasses of Verdejo topped off the meal.  The evening play was The Importance of Being Earnest.  

Wednesday, May 14th - Another fine breakfast at the inn (main entree was jerk chicken casseroles with mashed potato and yucca).  We packed the car and drove south, crossing into California.  We exited Interstate 5 at Yreka and followed US Route 3 through the back hills and forests, along the Trinity Reservoir (which looked like a nice place to spend some time on the water), ultimately arriving in Weaverville, CA.

Crossed the PCT at Scott Mountain Summit.

After coming down from the ridge, we traveled along the Trinity River, finally reaching the reservoir behind Trinity Dam.

Trinity Resort, where houseboat rentals are available.

After side-tripping to view the Trinity Dam, we arrived in Weaverville, a well-preserved historic town, with lots of signs highlighting the original buildings, known for gold prospecting and  timber harvesting.

The Bandstand circa 1900s

Spiral steps (first & second floor properties had different owners).

Gold prospecting water cannon.

Classic Western architecture.

Original Brewery.

Main Street.

Our overnight accommodation - Room #5, the Brown Bear.  Each room is named for a former mine.

Brown Bear.

Dinner was at the TCBC.