Community Reports
The communities I serve are the tiny towns of Bridgeville and Dinsmore in Humboldt County and Mad River and Ruth in Trinity County and the rural areas in the surrounding mountains and valleys. Highway 36 begins in the west, at Hwy. 101, heading inland just south of the small city of Fortuna, and continuing east to Red Bluff at Hwy. 5.
Bridgeville is now bypassed by a new bridge over the Van Duzen River, but the old one still stands and is host to the yearly Bridgefest, where aliens from all over the universe come to take part in the flying saucer trials. There is music, food & fun for all. It is held the third weekend in August. Be sure to come, as an alien lifeform or as an Earthling. Participants in the flying saucer trials make their own flying saucers out of recycled materials and launch them off the bridge at mid-day. It is great fun to watch. The costumes are wild and wonderful, the music is diverse and there are raffles, prizes, and booths that sell arts & crafts & food to Aliens and Earthlings alike.
Heading east, Dinsmore is 19 miles past Bridgeville, and boasts the the wonderful Dinsmore General Store, stocked with everything from animal feed and hardware, fencing, foods of all kinds, fresh fruits and veggies, coolers full of drinks and almost everything a gardener could want. There is a gas station and a laundromat. Across the road from the store is the historic Dinsmore Lodge, which was a stagecoach stop back when the roads were dirt and horses were the mode of transport.
Most of the land in the area is located within the Six Rivers National Forest. The Mad River Ranger Station is located just west of Mad River along Hwy.36. Hwy. 36 follows the Van Duzen River then crosses over the Mad River just past the little town of Mad River, home of the nearly famous Burger Bar. About a quarter mile past the bridge over the Mad you can turn right and head out to Ruth Lake, a true jewel of Trinity Co. There are Forest Service campgrounds, a marina where you can rent a boat or keep your own, and Journey's End Resort, with a store, restaurant, motel, cabins and trailer park for travelers. Swim, fish and boat in the water, or BBQ and camp on shore.
Hwy. 36 continues on past the turn off to Ruth Lake up South Fork Mt., the longest unbroken mountain range in North America. Stop at the top for a fantastic view of the Lassics, then proceed down the other side to Hayfork and beyond. Majestic mountain and river views abound. You may not want to leave.....so turn around and come back. Call me and I'll help you find your mountain home or summer retreat!
