Redwood Forests

June 3, 2018

Continuing on 395 we headed to Lassen Volcanic National Park in California. It’s a fascinating place, and if one is interested in volcanism, there are examples of practically every type of volcanic feature within the borders of the park. It contains one of the largest plug dome volcanoes in the world. A plug dome volcano forms when lava is too thick to flow great distances. A steam blast shattered Lassen’s plug forming thick bulbous masses called coulees.

Snowball fight?

Manzanita Lake Campground – 13$

We drove the next day and stayed in Douglas City BLM Campground along the Trinity River 8$ (great showers here and a beautiful site)

From here headed west to the coast and started our trek up Hwy 101 to see our first Redwood Forest.

Lady Bird Johnson Grove

Gazing up the immense trunk to the highest reaches of the redwood gives us a powerful sense of our own smallness. Capable of ascending to heights over 370 feet coast redwoods tower over all living things on the planet. Their diameter can reach 26 feet and live to over 2,000 years. Their seed is the size of a tomato seed.

Elk Meadows (yes we saw an Elk) Trillium Falls Trail

See Arnie?

I love capturing the bug as it mimics Arnie’s outstretched arms. Haha

Del Norte Coast Redwood State Park 10$ Spot #57

Met a great couple, Mary Ella and Joe here. Hope to connect with them again.

Back on 101 to Crescent City and toured the Battery Point Lighthouse, constructed in 1856.

Climbing out of the hatch.

Visited a cheese factory – sampled and bought some greats.

Spent the rest of the day in Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park. I honestly have no words to describe these giants. I am left only with a sense that they have it “figured out”. There is so much to learn and the need to sit amongst them and listen will draw me back some day.

Panther Flat Campground, along the Smith River on 199 outside of Gasquet, 8$ – gorgeous.

Arnie was soooo wishing he had his fly rod.

June 8, 2018

Through the Collier Tunnel and of course honked our horn.

Fabulous lunch at “The Rivers Edge” along the Rogue River in Grants Pass, OR.

Next stop will be Medford, OR