This morning, is our last (at least for this trip :D) in Grants Pass. We joined the church for some prayer and then were taken out to breakfast. We were spoiled with great food the entire time there! It was a wonderful morning connecting again with everyone there. After saying our goodbyes, we headed south. That sounds like we migrate. Doesn't it? We soon left Oregon and entered the state of California. Where, oh course, we were greeted by warning signs! We eventually made it to Redwood National Park. After several attempts, we found a one lane dirt road that led into the heart of the forest. And that is where our adventure began. From out of nowhere, an Ewok zoomed by, followed closely by two stormtroopers. We got into Nathan's red spacecraft and took up chase! We swerved left around a massive snowman and then raced for the Republic outpost....Wait a minute. There weren't any snowmen in Star Wars. *sigh* So much for that story. :D Actually, we stopped at a place called Stout Grove, were we hiked a short trail among some amazing trees. They are massive. I really am not sure quite how else to describe them. Behemoth. Towering. Big? No, that is too far of a stretch. They definitely are amazing.
A look up at a giant redwood. I was just used to show how big the tree was.
I just can't quite get my hands around it...
Nathan trying to do the same at a different tree.
Nathan at the base of that tree.
A common pose, me staring up at the giants around me.
Yet another example of how big these trees are.
After leaving that grove of massive trees we continued down the little road where we were surrounded by them. At one point we came across a car parked on the side of the road. We could see that they had a flat. We stopped and asked if they needed help, and it turned out, they did. Apparently, they bent their jack, so we got out the one from Nate's car and got the spare on. While in the process of it, a car stopped and remarked how two guys from Iowa were perfect for the job. Something on that order. All set to go, they set out in search of a place to get their tire fixed and we continued our drive. Eventually, we came across a tree that had been cut out so that a car could drive through it. Naturally, we did so--twice!
Nathan trying to scratch his head using the tree???
The chariot makes it...and the crowd goes wild!!!!
While in the Redwoods, I decided that Nathan's car wasn't full enough. So I got the biggest Redwood and managed to fit it in. It alternated riding shotgun and sitting in the back. I think it was most happy riding shotgun. Anyway, we drove a little further south before we stopped at a trail. At that point I was full of energy so I almost ran the trail. We didn't hike the entire thing; we just kind of adventured in for a quick look. Since we were closer to the coast now, fog was sitting in this area. The combination of giant trees, fog, and sunlight made for beautiful sights.
I told you it was beautiful...
I love that one.
If you turn your head to the side it looks like the sun is rising...sorta. :)
After that, we found what is called Big Tree, which must be big if it is called Big Tree in this forest! It turns out it was.
304 ft. tall, 21.6 ft. diameter, 68 ft. circumference, and 1,500 years old.
Looking up at Big Tree
Finishing up there, we left the park. Driving by the coast, we stopped to enjoy the ocean and we actually spotted a whale. We watched it for sometime before it finally started to head out to sea.
The whale taking in some fresh air.
Speaking of the ocean, just before we found a campground, we found elk. Not ordinary elk, these ones were on vacation. You may wonder how I know this and I shall tell you. Because, they were on the beach! So they must be! :D.
Elk enjoying the beach.
After all of that, we found a campground for the night. The funny thing is that when we went to get a site, we walked up to the window and the guy said, "I've been waiting for you all day." When we did the drive thru tree, the lady there said the same thing! They either are fans of my blog...*scratch head*...or it is something that they say in that neck of the woods! After getting a site I gathered some more firewood and we settled in for the evening.
End day 18.
No comments:
Post a Comment