Wandering Lizard
The Redwood Empire

The road from Shelter Cove on the Pacific Ocean stretches east across rolling farm and ranchland to Garberville. Along the way it passes Petrolia where small quantities of oil bubbled to the surface in the 1860s. The first shipment was loaded in goatskin bags and packed out by mule train. Leland Stanford, who later founded Stanford University was head of the local oil company, now just a memory.

Just South of friendly Garberville is the Benbow Inn and Lake, designated a national historic monument. Trout, Steelhead and salmon fishing is excellent in season on the Eel river nearby.