Renee, June 19th: Another hike in the park

We went to the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State park today to explore the northern part of the forest. The drive in was dark and magical. We found this tree with an alcove that we just couldn't resist for a family picture!


Or this one!
We took the Stout Tree Grove Loop Trail, found the river along the way, in which some crazy people actually waded out and went swimming. It was COLD water! We found our way back onto the trail and headed out towards the Riverside trail. Once we arrived at the sign, it informed us that it was closed because the bridge was out. Well, that is not going to stop us...Us or the other hikers meandering about the forest. So we forged the creek, hopping stones all the way across and picking up the trail on the other side. By the looks of the remains of the bridge and the subsequent trail, the bridge must have been out for a long time and the trail was considerably less travelled, but that made it all the more fun. We paralleled the river most the way and disappointingly ended up at a parking lot. So we returned the way we came, though this time crossing the creek via a fallen tree log.

We then decided to follow the coastal road to take in some of the scenic viewpoints, one of which was up a less-travelled winding road, dead-ending on cliffs as much as 640 feet above water level.
It is at one of these that Leah spotted a gray whale surfacing. All the signs posted stated that the Gray whale does in fact come close enough inland to be seen in these areas in the Spring and Fall months and we, being critics didn't quite take Leah's sighting as fact. However, we were resolutely corrected as we continued to watch and ended up spotting a whole pod of whales playing in the surf just 100 yards out from shore. We noted their water spouting and dark backs darting just above the surface. Unfortunately, no cameras in our possession were quick enough to catch the incredible mammals for posterity.

We returned to the RV via a quick nod to Paul Bunyan and Babe along the roadside. (Tourist trap http://www.treesofmystery.net/ we did not stop at) We were tired of driving and were looking forward to relaxing and taking in some of the amenities at the RV resort.

Leah, June 19th: Hiking the Redwoods

We hike in the Redwoods today. We hiked the Stout Grove Trail. I finished before everyone else.
Then we went to the info. center and got some patches and postcards. Then we watched a 12 minute movie on the Redwoods. When we got back to the RV, Dad, Matt, and I went down to the river. We explored around the river. After dinner I played with Sadie. Then I came back to the RV and made more hot chocolate. Then I went to bed.

Matthew, June 19th: A Fun Day

Today, we hiked, looked at some scenic views, and explored the woods next to the campground. First we hiked the Stout Grove Trail. We saw a lot of fallen trees. We even climbed on some.
There was also a trail that was only 0.2 miles from where we were so we followed the trail. It was called the Hiouchi trail, it led to a river. The water was cold, but it felt good. We hiked back onto the Stout Grove Trail, and back to the jeep.

Then we went to some scenic views of the beach. The first scenic view was a beach. Next, we went to another view. Then Leah spotted a whale! As we were about to leave my Mom spotted a group of whales. Then we left.


When we got back Leah, My Dad, and I went to the game room and played ping pong for a little while and went to the forest next to the campground. First, we explored the river. My Dad saw some thing pop out of the water! We don't know what it was, but my Dad thought it was a seal. So we explored some more. We came across a sign that said no trespassing, but we ignored it. We went on and found a hideout. There were chairs, a tarp, and a boat. Just as we were about to leave, my Dad spotted another trail. It went a long ways, but then it caqme to a farm! We ran away as fast as we could and went back to the campground.

Renee June 18th: Oh, for all the big trees

We were on the road again, leaving for the Redwoods and Klamath, CA. We did not know that the Redwood National Park was also connected to Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park, both of which were free admission. The park(s) stretches along the coast in a long, but thin area and we were to be staying in the middle of it all, along the Klamath River. To save overlapping driving distances, we made a stop at the Visitor's center and dropped off the motor home, in order to avoid parking issues.

We continued on to Lady Bird Johnson Grove, so named for the first lady that was present and participated in the Park's dedication ceremony in 1969. What incredible heights the trees soared.
So dramatically that it is impossible to do them justice in a photo. But that didn't stop us from trying!

I personally was enthralled by the greenery and pretty forest flowers thriving under the canopy in this great forest.

Ferns and Rhododendrons, not to mention many other surprises in the dappled sunlight.



We finished our trail and headed back to the RV and the beach to encounter or first touch of the Pacific ocean on this trip. Definitely not the warmth of the San Diego beaches of last summer, but it is the same ocean and the temp was not all that bad.

We made for camp and set up, realizing from the outdoor temps that we were going to need extra blankets in this location... Sorry, all you Arizonans, don't meant to rub it in. But I hope we packed enough warm clothes for this trip as we are only going to be going further north.

Lady Bird Johnson Grove

Today we drove into the Redwoods. We stopped at the visitors center to get some info on some trails. We did a loop trail called Lady Bird Johnson Grove. It took a while to finish.
We saw some cool bugs, we thing they were some type of centipedes.

Then we drove to the RV Park. We had diner then me, Matt and Mom played volleyball. A girl named Sadie asked if she could play. We said yes and we played until she had to go back to her RV. then I made some hot chocolate for Matthew and myself, because is was getting so cold.

Matt, June 18th: Driving along the coast

Today was another driving day. We were driving along the coast. We drove for awhile and stopped at Redwooks National and State Park Visitor Center. After that we drove across the street and parked in the beach parking lot. We unhooked the jeep and drove to Lady bird Johnson Grove. I made a mistake and I called it Larry Bird Johnson Grove.
On the trail we saw redwook trees athat were probably two hundred feet tall. I'm not kidding.

We also saw trees that had fallen onto the trail. Then we hike out and drove to the RV. After we got there we went onto the beach and felt the water.


And we drove to the campground.