The Coast Redwoods are the tallest living trees and among the oldest living things on Earth. The tallest of the Coast Redwoods is 379.1 feet, about 37 stories high. They are a member of the sequoia tree species. The giant sequoias, which we saw at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are the biggest, by overall size, trees in the world.
Grass Valley, California
From Truckee, California we headed west to Grass Valley.
Nearby was the Bridgeport Covered Bridge. At 230 feet, it’s the longest single span covered bridge in existence. Constructed in 1862 it cost a $2 toll to bring a wagon across it.
We were once again in California wine country. The Nevada City Winery and Lucchesi Vineyards were ok but our favorite was Sierra Star Winery.
The Alloro Cucina Italiano restaurant was in a restored 1800s house. Great food and company for a relaxing evening.
Calistoga, California
Calistoga is at the northern end of the Napa valley. Although the area is known for wineries, it’s hot springs have been attracting visitors for years.
The area consists of rolling hills of wineries and oak trees. Some of the best wines in the world are produced here. It would had been nice to spend a month or two wine tasting, but we wanted to see the redwoods again.
Mendocino, California
Founded as a logging community. Since the 1940s, the economy has struggled but has revitalized as an artsy community. The city is on the rugged amazing northern California coast. Poppies, California’s Gold, were blooming. The poppy is California’s State flower. It’s edible and claims to promote relaxation and sleepiness.
It was spring, so there were flowers everywhere.
There were numerous small trails along the cliffs. Some led to picturesque private rocky beaches.
We stayed in Willits and listened to the cows each day. Jake enjoyed watching the rabbits.
Redwoods
Before commercial logging in the 1850s, there were 2.1 million acres of redwoods along the northern California coast and southern Oregon. Of the ancient redwoods, 96% have been logged. Since they live 1,200-1,800 years or more, it will take a very long time to restore the ancient groves if not impossible. Redwoods are desirable lumbar because of their size, straightness and resistance to insects, fire and rot.
Humboldt Redwoods
The Save the Redwoods League was founded in 1918. It has protected more than 200,000 acres of redwood forests and has helped to create 66 redwood parks and reserves.
We tried to visit as many as we could, but they are scattered along the California coast from Big Sur to Oregon. The tranquility one feels walking amongst them is hard to describe.
The Rockefeller Grove was amazing. Named after John D. Rockefeller who in the 1920s donated $2 million dollars to Save the Redwoods.
Ancient Redwoods RV Park
There was hardly anyone staying here. They had full service and wifi adequate enough to stream.
Liked this hollowed out log redwood truck.
Avenue of the Giants Redwoods
The Avenue of the Giants is a 31 mile portion of old Highway 101 with over 50,000 acres of redwood groves. The drive is spectacular. There were numerous hiking trails.
Hiking in the Redwoods was peaceful and quiet. It was hard to not stop every few steps and take it all in. The trees are so huge and old. They convert CO2 to O2 more than any other tree on Earth. It’s difficult to not feel a collective conscious from their 240 million year existence on this planet.
Ferndale, California
Ferndale is a small city near the Lost Coast just south of Redwoods National Park, at the mouth of the Eel River.
The Blacksmith shop is filled with metal home accessories that would have been fun to purchase if we had a brick and mortar house.
So many shops and treats to explore on a Sunday afternoon.
Nearby was Loleta Cheese Factory. They made delicious grilled cheese sandwiches. We bought the herb/spiced havarti.
Trinidad, California
It’s an artsy seaside town in Humboldt County with beautiful, rugged coastline.
We stayed at Azalea Glen RV Park. The site was private and had full services. Surrounded by redwoods, the area was beautiful.
We talked to some teenage surfers who struggle with the cold water and badly formed waves. Couldn’t understand a word they were saying because we don’t speak “surfer”.
Redwoods National and State Parks
Another beautiful area with ancient redwoods.
Lady Bird Johnson Redwoods Grove
Lady Bird Johnson was an environmental activist. In 1969 President Richard Nixon dedicated the grove to her.
An easy loop trail with hundreds of trillium flowering.
Prairie Creek Redwoods
Roosevelt elk were hunted nearly to extinction, but conservation effects have increased their numbers into the thousands.
Fern Canyon
Fern Canyon is a narrow canyon where the walls are covered in moss dripping with water and ferns.
Steven Spielberg chose this location for Jurassic Park 2: The Lost World.
Crescent City
It’s on the Pacific coast about 20 miles south of the Oregon border.
Battery Point Lighthouse
The light was first turned on December 10, 1856. It was automated in 1953 and eventually became a museum as lighthouses were retired.
We took a guided tour and learned about the history of the lighthouse and some of it’s many keepers.
The contour of the sea floor in Crescent City has the effect of focusing tsunamis from earthquakes. Since 1933, the city has had tsunami conditions 31 times. One of the most devastating was from a 20 foot tsunami caused by an earthquake in Anchorage, Alaska in 1964.
We stayed at Redwood Meadows RV Park. The sites were huge, full service, and satellite friendly.
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
The RV park was very close to one of the entrances to Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.
The Smith River flows through the park. There are several old growth groves including the Stout Grove.
Banana slugs can be bright yellow with brown spots resembling a banana. They can grow up to 9.8 inches long and live 1-7 years. A banana slug has a single lung and is covered by slime which helps prevent against dessication. We had to be careful not to step on them.
