Welcome to our little paradise in the woods....Please, come and stay awhile. Enter the front gate and leave the world behind. You will be greeted by our redwood sentries and the sound of trickling water. With an instant calm, you’ll know it’s time to relax and enjoy! The house is nestled among the trees along the upper bank of the Eel River. You can walk along your own private path to its shore through the wild wooded walkway that leads through the property. On the river, you can hunt for rocks and fossils, play with your kids or your dog, wade in the water or fish for salmon and steelhead. The yard is like your own private park. There are magnificent redwoods, ferns, and rhododendrons among many other native and blooming plants. Rio Dell sits along a bird migration route so there are many birds to enjoy at various times of the year. There are seed and nut feeders for you to fill (we provide the food) so that you can sit and enjoy the birds and the squirrels. We have an inviting fire pit area for roasting marshmallows or simply enjoying a warm, outdoor fire. Break out that guitar for an evening of singing around the campfire. Inside, you will find a comfortable living space that is quaintly decorated. Large windows in the living room and dining area afford a sweeping view of the yard and the river beyond. There is a 55” LED TV and a wireless Blu-Ray player. We provide a small library of regular DVDs (bring your own blu-rays) plus hundreds of free, online Netflix movies. The living room easily seats 8 or 9. Our "shabby chic" queen sofa-bed is very comfy for sitting or sleeping (it has no “bar in the back”). Our gas wood stove, with its burning logs, really cozies up the place without the fuss or mess of a real wood fire. Bring your iPod and plug it in to our Bose docking station to enjoy your favorite tunes. There is plenty to read as we keep our entire library of books in this house. We also keep an assortment of games for all ages. Bring your laptop and either plug in or connect via wi-fi for your surfing pleasure. The kitchen is fully equipped and has a few extras including filtered drinking water, a latte machine, a coffee bean grinder, a bread machine, a toaster oven, a 5 qt crock pot and a gas grill outside. The dining table seats 4 and there is a foldaway table that seats an additional 4 There are also 4 TV trays for the living room. The Library room sleeps 2. It has a daybed with a trundle. The Bunk room sleeps 3. It has a bunk bed with a trundle plus a small TV with a built-in DVD player. The Big Bear room is the master bedroom and it has a queen size "Sleep Number" bed – we get our best nights sleep on this mattress. You can adjust the firmness separately on both sides to suit your comfort. This room has a private bathroom. We have provided high quality bedding in every room so that you'll sleep well! If you chose to step outside the sanctuary of our “Redwoods on the River” home, you will find a wonderful world of things to do! Convenience First: There is a small market nearby for those emergency “geez, I forgot” moments. Also, just 5 miles north on Hwy 101, the town of Fortuna has most everything you need. This includes 2 major grocery stores, fast food and full service restaurants, a small movie theatre and even a Starbucks! If you want more choices as well as a mall, Eureka is located just 25 miles north. Things to do: • Scout for Fossils all along the Eel River and especially near the Scotia Bluffs. You can walk to the bluffs from the house. The area is well renowned for its fossils. • Visit the fabulous Chapman’s Gem and Mineral Shop -3 miles North on Hwy 101. It has a great rock and mineral museum you’re sure to enjoy. • Go Antique shopping in Fortuna, Ferndale or Eureka. • Step into the 18th century with a visit to the Victorian Village of Ferndale! You can shop, eat, peruse art galleries or take a stroll to marvel at the beautifully preserved Victorian architecture -just 15 miles away. • Tour the Loleta Creamery where they manufacture organic cheese. The tour is interesting, educational and delicious!- 13 miles north on Hwy 101. • Drive the scenic Lost Coast which is the most undeveloped wilderness on the CA coast. There are tide pools at the ocean so be sure to time your trip for low tide. The drive will take the better part of a day so gas up and pack your lunch. There are also hiking trails and campsites for a more extended adventure. • Drive the 35 mile scenic road though the Avenue of the Giants which is 7 miles south of Rio Dell off Hwy 101. Whether you hike, bike or drive, you will encounter some of the oldest and tallest trees in the world. This forest has never been logged! Humboldt Redwoods State Park is entwined with the Avenue so you can go to the Visitor's Center to learn about the diverse coastal redwood ecosystems and pick up a trail map. • Hike a dog friendly trail in the redwoods or on the beach– we have a list of dog friendly places at the house. • Go bird watching at the Humboldt County National Wildlife Refuge. Don’t forget your binoculars and camera! This is a natural bird migration route and many birds nest here at the southern tip of Humboldt Bay. 16 miles north off Hwy 101. • Walk on a quiet beach – 30 minutes drive. • Find a swimming hole and jump in.(we have a list of local swimming holes at the house) • Find a fishing hole on the river or in the surf and cast your line. Or join a guided ocean or river fishing trip. We have World Class fishing here on the North Coast! • Bring a canoe or kayak and paddle the river, the bay or the ocean. • Golf at the Redwood Empire Golf Course in Fortuna • Enjoy some Vegas style action at the Bear River Casino near Loleta! – 13 miles north off Hwy 101 By all means, whatever you do, DON’T FORGET YOUR CAMERA! Keywords: House, Home, River, Trees, Redwoods, Fishing, Hiking, Biking