#27 Mar 2014 The Redwoods - bigger than our imagination can grasp!

March 8th we continued our homeward trek heading for the giant redwoods in northern California. We started out with good intentions. We discovered an ARCO gas station with fuel at $3.39 per gallon. It was 20 to 30 cents cheaper than other stations so it was busy. After nearly half an hour we had only $100 worth of gas as the station limited each transaction. Well, let’s get on our way.

We had phoned Richardson Grove RV Park in Garberville CA and the manager said she would wait for us to arrive that evening as she lives on site. Sounds good.

Once again the GPS was worth its weight in gold as we worked our way through Oakland CA from one freeway to another. Ralph says if he had looked closely at the map before we headed out he would have gone through Nevada to avoid the congestion.

We survived the congestion and only faced the construction but were much later than anticipated. We were on #101 which is a major highway and very scenic. Scenic seems to have come before major in the road design. The last 30 mile stretch was a narrow, winding road - in the rain - with giant redwoods right beside the highway. Those of you familiar with Vancouver 1st or 12th Avenue will recognize how the trees crowd the road. This daytime photo shows the road near the RV Park.

This was an unfamiliar road in the dark. Ralph was concentrating and I was vey quiet. We finally arrived at the address in the GPS – Richardson Grove State Park. We crept into the park and looked around for anyone. Nope! No sign of people. Ralph walked around and I searched the GPS and Passport America directions. Ooops – We were looking for Richardson Grove - RV Park, not State Park. Remember, we cannot back up with the Suzuki in tow. Fortunately we were able to make a circle and backtrack to the RV Park where the manager directed us to a pull through site.

A very light supper and early to bed. We both apologized and said we would be more careful in the future. Some learning experiences are positive – some not – but still learning experiences.

In the morning Ralph went to un-hitch the Suzuki and the battery was dead. Another ooops – the key had been left in the “on” position instead of the “accessory”. Dead battery and more learning. The nearby service station manager gave the Suzuki a boost and we were set to go – in the rain again but we are “wet coasters”.

Across the highway from the RV Park, this “Grandfather Tree” was our introduction to the immense redwoods. It’s hard to grasp the size and age of these trees.

Nearby “Avenue of the Giants” is a well signed 32 mile drive among groves of coast redwoods. These redwoods are taller than any other living thing and can live over 2,000 years. Many of these groves are old growth and have never been logged. This photo shows how small the Suzuki looks in front of the trees.

The burls on the trees seem to look like fantastical creatures.

The rain forest also creates mossy trees that seem to glow when the sun peaks through the clouds.

Along the open highway young redwoods show the red bark clearly. As the trees age the gray, grooved bark grows up from the bottom.