Winter Trip - Part 2 - Bigfoot Country

We left Portland the morning of Friday 12/28.  Taking the 5 freeway down through Oregon to Northern California, heading west on Hwy 96 down the "Bigfoot Scenic Byway" which ends in the town of Willow Creek. Its about a 6 hour drive through mountainous, snowy terrain and you can go like 2 hours without services.  It's not exactly the best drive for someone in a rental car who has never driven in the Pacific Northwest.  But Fuck it, you only live once right!

The first stop was in Eugene, Oregon. Just outside of Eugene is a place called "Ike's Pizza" where they have the famous "Bigfoot & Beer" meetings where people get together and tell their Sasquatch encounter stories. But since it's like 25 minutes outside town we didn't get a chance to stop. But I wanted to make a note of it in case some extreme Bigfoot fan reads this and accuses me of not knowing my shit!  So back off! ... now, back to the boring photos.

Eugene is the home of the Oregon Ducks.

Out in front they some giant X and O monuments like some sort of football playbook.

Joey Harrington is hanging out here somewhere.

When you get to the bottom of Oregon you hit Ashland, which is known for their annual Shakespeare festival.  Time for a bathroom break.

To pee, or not to pee.

Once you get out of Ashland the drive get's a little more serious.
The snow came as we headed to the mountains.

Next Exit, 300 miles.

"Can you check the glove box for some snow chains?"

We got off the 5 freeway and entered Highway 96 which will lead you into the middle of Northern California.  This stretch of freeway is not advised during this time of year.

Which one has a "Denny's?"

When you enter the forest it gets hardcore real fast.

I took this photo looking back, as we were entering.

Good thing I'm dressed for this.

Bigfoot Country

HAPPY CAMP
The first town associated with Bigfoot is Happy Camp, CA. As soon as you get there you can't miss the giant Bigfoot statue that welcomes you to town.  This is something I've seen for years in all the books and websites. It was super exciting.

Please don't shit on my head.

A map to heaven.

BLUFF CREEK
Its about 90 miles between Happy Camp and Willow Creek. But it takes like 2 hours because of all the twists and turns, you can only go like 40 miles an hour at the most. About 30 miles away from Willow Creek is Bluff Creek. It's the site of the famous "Patterson Gimlin Film" from 1967, which is the film that is what usually inspires people to become interested in Bigfoot in the first place. The actual film site is way up in the mountain and not accessible in the Winter, but it was still cool to be nearby, knowing all of the history to this world famous location.

up next ......  we arrive in Willow Creek!