Aug 28, 2012 - More Coast & Redwoods

We saw more beautiful coast before we got to the California Redwood National Park. The redwoods were fantastic and the park was easy to explore except that we did get lost for awhile. The park is not commercialized at all. The redwoods in the park are unbelievable. How surreal to be walking through a forest that has been there for 2000 years! Awesome.

Aug 13, 2012 - Magnificent Redwood National Park

Today’s adventure is taking us to the Redwood National and State Park (RNSP) located along the coast of northern California. The weather was wonderful and temps weren’t too high when we started off a little before 9:00 taking the scenic Hwy 199 to Crescent City. Just as we reached the Oregon coast we couldn’t believe it; FOG! Oh no, another trip ruined by coastal fog? Our first stop was to check out the Battery Point Lighthouse west of the middle of downtown Crescent City. There’s a causeway for folks to access from the city to the...

Jul 26, 2012 - California, we are here!

After being gone from home state for over a month, it seems like just yesterday that we left. I am so tired of cloudy that hot is starting to sound good. Yikes! We finished our drive along the Oregon coast and re-entered California as the clouds were returning inland and the fog was again blanketing the area. We began our day in the private camping space we had secured the night before and made our way to Oregon Dunes National Recreation area. We were the only tourists there at that moment so we got a private ranger led guided tour for the...

Jul 8, 2012 - Day 11

Today was a surprise. It was hard to be amazed after the Sequoias! We headed out a bit late and wound our way south through some of the park with some side hikes (see big trees- though they were everywhere). THen we went back north and went to the drive through tree (for cars- not big RVs!) and saw some emu creatures. Then we drove and drove, stopping at the Crescent Beach area for awhile before finally arriving in Ashland Oregon- we go rafting in the morning! Btu tonight we had a swim, spun on the merry go round and had some good grilled...

Jul 7, 2012 - Day 10

We got up a bit earlier than the boys wanted (waking them at 7:30) to try to be on the road at 8:15-(didn't make it). But we did eventually get on the road and drove some long and relatively boring roads up to Redding and then a long windy road west toward the coast. When we turned on 101, we began to see some amazing sea views. We pulled over at one state park and the boys jumped in the Pacific and we romped on the beach for awhile. Then we got back on the road, saw some elk along the way, and arrived in Klamath Beach RV around 4 (driving...

Apr 19, 2012 - Washougal to Eureka

If you have read the last three journal entries, you may have noticed a weather pattern – RAIN!! It rained again today (harder this time) as we headed south toward California. It rained all the way to the California state line, and then it became misty and foggy. But that was okay! Shortly after we arrived in California we reached the Redwood National Park. Pauline said that if our trip ended today, we would have seen enough to last us a lifetime! The setting of these giant trees in the mist was unbelievable. We’re not sure if what we saw...

Sep 2, 2011 - Redwood NP day 2

Redwood NP day 2 First stop is the Big Tree Wayside, ½ mile easy trail has access to 1 of the largest Redwoods (Hgt 304 ft, diameter 216 ft., circumference 68 ft, age 1500 yrs.) in this old growth Redwood forest. The sun gave the most beautiful shadows on our walk. Next we drive north to High Bluff Overlook. There is a WWII radar station disguised as a farm and shed. Tom saw a banana slug coming back up the hill. In the afternoon we head south to Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon. The road is terrible and nothing seeing, have to ford...

Sep 1, 2011 - Redwood National & State Parks, Prairie Creek SP, Elk Prairie CG

Redwood National & State Parks, Prairie Creek SP, Elk Prairie CG We have never been in a State Park and Nat'l Park under the same umbrella. I will try and explain: 3 California redwood state parks were created to protect the redwoods. Prairie Creek (1923), Del Norte (1925), and Jedediah Smith (1929). In 1968 Redwood Nat'l Park was created including the 3 SP's and CA said no we won't give them up, hence in 1994 they began managing them together to preserve the trees. Redwoods grow from a seed the size of a tomato seed to 500 tons over the...

Aug 24, 2011 - Redwood Forest!

Amazing area!!! Probably the most "unusual" part of this forest was the total lack of any noise!!! We had no idea it would be so quiet within the forest. didn't even hear birds - except for that one we got a picture of. These Redwoods are just huge. We saw the largest in circumference but not the tallest. That is not told to the public! All the roads in and out are narrow and twisty - but so worth the trip into it....

Aug 20, 2011 - Redwood National Forest

So quick update from last journal entry Bonnie got mushed under a chair and has been limping around for a couple weeks but seems better. She also learned while recuperating how to open the bedroom awning blinds with her head to look out. We have been picking Matty up at day camp and got to see him doing magic with the other kids. The last hour of each day grandparents were allowed to watch them. This weekend Meg, Adam and Matty went to San Francisco to look for a new residence. We decided to go to the Jedediah Smith National Park. We went...

Jun 7, 2011 - Mammoths in the Mist

We head west from Napa/Sonoma Valley to the coast and start driving up the (yes, yet again)very scenic road - Highway #1. Although it is overcast and somewhat drizzling, the views are amazing and the road hugs the coast dramatically. We drive for about 5 hours in total...but not that many kilometres...it just takes a long time to move any distance. However, we don't really mind. We listen to tunes and enjoy te views. We stop at a coastal KOA, after stocking up on some groceries and set up on a very damp but grassy site that is right...

May 31, 2011 - TREES AND HEROES

No matter how many times you visit, the Coast Redwoods will amaze you every time. The Coast Redwoods (Sequoia Sempervirens) are the tallest trees in the world. They can grow up to 370 feet, 22 feet in diameter and known to live over 2000 years. The Redwood National and State Parks (a cooperative management) have preserved 133,000 acres of the redwood forest in Northern California and visiting should be on everyone’s bucket list. The Coast Redwoods (found on the CA coast, hence the name) are different than the Giant Sequoias (Sequoiadendron...