Long, Strange Trip: California Coast and Redwood Forest

7/26

The wake up in Elk Creek was not a hurried affair and we were allowed to sleep in until 8. We had a pancake breakfast but did not tarry for long in the Oregon Sand Dunes. We had a long drive that day but it would be worth it as we were about to get our first glimpse of nature’s giants, the California Redwoods. We made it into the Jedediah Smith State Park, part of the California Redwoods National Park and planned two hikes amongst the famous woods. The first was spectacular and led us over a small footbridge into seemingly a different universe. Though it was a sunny day, underneath the canopy of the trees the air was cool, the area was darker and the fallen trees brought down from their much higher viewpoints had been lowered to our level. Lichen and moss, strange bird calls and of course the trees themselves, gave the family the opinion that it should be in a movie scene or a world described in a book. This surreal environment was everything I had hoped for in my early expectations of the woods and I was not to be disappointed as it seemed as soon as you thought you had seen the largest tree another one even bigger would be waiting around the bend. The trail took us through the woods but also onto a rocky river crossed by a long footbridge. My dad and I entered the river with reckless abandon and though it was very cold the sight from the river made up for it as I counted my blessings again. I have been able to swim in some extraordinary places this trip. With the towering trees surrounding us, we played football and swam, enjoying the water and the chance to relax. After drying off, without a towel I might add, we finished our loop trail into Stout Memorial Grove. It was a beautiful area filled with Redwoods and was a very enjoyable end to the hike. Our next hike brought more of the same, but no matter how much you saw of the Redwoods I doubt anyone would get tired of them (although it is possible that you could get a cramp in your neck from craning it for so long). The Coastal Redwoods, which we were seeing, had an average height of 300 feet and can grow up to 22 feet in diameter. They are distinguished by grey bark and are taller than but not as thick as their close cousin’s, the Giant Sequoya’s. After leaving the park I had learned much about the fight between lumber and mill companies and those who wanted to save the Redwoods. After listening to horrible stories about pepper spray applied directly into protestor’s eyes and a bomb placed in a protestor’s car I gained even more respect for the trees I had been walking through and the sacrifices others made that have allowed me to do this. We were completely done with the Jedediah State Park and our next campsite was in the storied “Avenue of The Giants”, a 31mile winding road with harrowingly sharp turns and massive trees literally two feet away from your car. We made it into Humboldt Redwood State Park at around 7pm. We had our best campsite meal of the trip, in my opinion, and I am sure it was shared by my whole family, penne pasta with tuna and peas with bread on the side. It was delicious and I helped myself to three servings. Roasting marshmallows occurred almost right after and my mom was very grateful in having the first fire she could enjoy on the trip. Everyone was tired; it had been a busy day so after finishing this blog, I headed to bed, following the rest of my family.

Editor's Note:
The Oregon and California coast in this area was rugged, beautiful and cold. Our idea of swimming in the Pacific Ocean did not last long. Also, as Silas alludes to, the drive along the coast was exhilerating and nauseating at the same time. It was long, winding, narrow, long and long. But, the coast is the coast and it should not be missed.