Trip to the Redwoods

Travel Day 1

We drove to Newton then flew with Leah and her family to Denver where we met up with Hannah and her family. Eleanor sat by me for most of the flights but moved up by Hannah and June for part. Otie did really well. The boys sat with Scott. We met Joel and Kayla at the Medford, Oregon airport.

We then drove 2 1/2 hours in three rented cars through the forests to Crescent City, California, Scott and I with Kayla and Joel.

We settled into our Airbnb’s. The photos of ours didn’t do it justice. We had a panoramic view on three sides of the ocean. It was older, retro, quaint.

We watched an osprey eat a fish right outside our window.

That night we ate at Seaquake Brewing (I had fish and chips) then took the kids to a cool playground.

Every morning Joel made us breakfast and we ate together at the table while overlooking the ocean.

Day 2 we drove about half an hour through the Jedediah Smith Redwoods on a tiny dirt road through the trees. We walked the Grove of Titans trail (about 3 miles) then the Memorial Grove which led to a water tributary.

The trees were magnificent. The walk was a peaceful adventure. I was in awe the whole walk.

We all ate lunch in our cabins then drove and hiked to Endert’s road beach. The kids played in the sand and water and rocks. We saw a starfish!

That night after yet another rest, we ate brats at the kids’ place. They stayed in a large newer condo with an ocean view, and tons of bedrooms and bathrooms and a large kitchen.

Most nights after dinner, Joel, Kayla, Scott and I played cards.

Day 3 we went on a canoe trip on the Klamath river with Redwood Yurok Canoe Tours. We rode in a canoe carved from a redwood which the Yurok people believe was alive. We had a peaceful float where our guide taught us about the Yurok people. We went with Hannah and June and Leah and her family went after us. Joel and Kayla hiked and Kent and Dave watched the littles.

We spent the afternoon at pebble beach which was quite chilly then had tacos at the kids’.

The next morning we walked the Karl Knapp trail which had trees we could climb into and beautiful fern groves. I felt the trees on this trail were more welcoming to us. I had never seen ferns in their natural habitat.

We learned about banana slugs and their importance to the redwoods.

We saw Big Tree which was really “old tree” because it was 1500 years old and not a lot taller or bigger than-an the other trees.

That afternoon we explored the harbor Lighthouse even though it was closed and the nearby beach. The kids impressed me with their climbing skills and fearlessness.

We ate that night at Chart Room restaurant. We sat with the kids and Joel and Kayla. I had fish and chips again. There were seals lying on a pier outside. The seals were still and quiet but made a sudden weird barking sound and June, Eleanor and I cracked up at the same time.

The last full day we went to Trees of Mystery. It was a commercialized trail but it had walkways in the tree canopies.

We rode a gondola.

That afternoon we went to the beach nearest us. The kids and Kent built an elaborate home out of driftwood. George would put out his arms and say “ta-da!” after adding a stick.