Redwoods National Park

We closed out the month of April with beautiful weather and a great trip to Redwoods National Park in Northern California. We drove to the Redwoods from Cave Junction, OR. That drive was an adventure within itself. It was classic mountain driving with gorgeous scenery as we followed the Smith River. There were many waterfalls and mountain streams that were running full from snowmelt and rains that
had fallen the past couple of days. As we approached Crescent City, CA, we saw the first huge Redwoods. That was only a preview of things to come.

In Crescent City we toured Battery Point Lighthouse, the oldest continuously occupied lighthouse in the USA. We had to end our tour and be back at the truck before noon because high tide would have stranded us at the lighthouse. We drove south of Crescent City to Redwoods National Park.

The loop through the park included the "Tour Through The Tree" attraction. Believe it or not, both rear fenders are still on Jim's truck! The Redwood Trees are truly magnificent. Their size is nearly impossible to comprehend. They can grow to nearly 370' in height, 22' in diameter at the base and live to 2000 years old.

While in the park we also visited another attraction, Trees of Mystery. We were greeted by a giant statue of Paul Bunyan and his blue ox "Babe". At the Trees of Mystery visitors center there was a FREE museum of Indian artifacts. The huge collection, from various tribes all over North America, is solely owned by one lady who is gracious enough to share it with the world. As we completed our trip on the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, we came upon the Elk Prairie and actually saw numerous elk including a herd of six bulls still in velvet on their racks. We then drove back up Highway 101 to Brookings, OR for supper at the Wild River Brewery and Pizza Company. It was worth the trip.