Avenue of the Giants

May 18, 2014  Today was another great day.  We did the usual morning dance of coffee in the room, getting up and breakfast, packing, and getting on the road.  It had rained overnight, but by the time we got in the car, it had stopped.  We did hit some light showers several times through the day, but no real rain along the day.

Our first destination was the Battery Point Lighthouse in Crescent City.  Located just out of town on a big rock, it's unique in that you can walk to it at low tide, but not at high tide.  Very pretty and unique plce.

The flowers near the parking lot were also beautiful.  And with the blue skies and crisp, cool air, it was a perfect way to start the day.  

Leaving town on US 101, we traveled south, viewing the huge redwoods lining the road and extending deep into the woods.  I wanted to go to Klamath to show Big Sis the tree so large you can drive a car through it, so we headed there.  Here I am in the car, with photographer Bar taking the pic.

Leaving there, we drove to the Steelhouse Lodge, where Gary and I stayed when we were in the area.  It's still there and has not changed a bit in the 6 years since we were there.  And, the grill with the ostraches (big birds) were still at the grill in the area.

Cntinuing south, we took our time, enjoying the huge trees and winding highway for many miles.  We found the Avenue of the Giant Trees and got off 101 to take a more leisurely pace through the trees.  At the sign that said "Twisted Tree", we stopped.  I had not seen it before, so we walked the 1/4 mile or so to find a HUGE tree that somewhere centuries ago, it split and twisted, to form a really unique sight as it grew to the sky.  

A few miles further south, another sign caught our eye, the "Big Tree".  Of course, we had to stop to see what it was about.  Well, it was about 21 feet in diameter!  Pictures don't do justice, but here are a couple.  

And  

And we saw the "Cathedral of Trees", an area where the trees seemed to form a huge ceiling far above our heads.  Pretty doesn't describe it at all.  These trees are just unbelievably beautiful.

At some point, we saw a road leading to the Rosevelt Grove of trees, an area where he donated millions of dollars to preserve years ago.  Because we didn't know what we were doing, or where we were going, we got on a narrow, paved road that went about 8 miles or so before it turned to dirt. The next 10 miles or so on the dirt road carried us up and down mountains and valleys, showing us the true beauty of the land.  Narrow and twisty, it was fun and challenging to drive.  Thankfully, it was fairly smooth, so I never worried about getting stuck or having trouble as we sped down the road.  

We had lunch in Eureka, CA, at the Lost Coast Brewery.  Bar ate Halibut and Chips, and I got a hamburger and fries.  Both were delicious with the locally brewed beer.

At day's end, we stopped in Wilits, CA for the night.  It was an absolutely beautiful day with Big Sis in the big trees.  I am so fortunate to be able to do this with her.  God is good to me.  

Tomorrow--San Francisco or Bust!!