All about the Redwoods

Suzanne admires the sculptural tree roots of a fallen tree

Thursday afternoon we started to drive the Avenue of the Giants Scenic Drive. This is a windy two lane road paralleling Highway 101, going through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The road wends its way through forests of these giant trees (taller than Sequoias, but not as massive). There were many places to stop and walk among the trees, enjoying the cooler temperatures, the sculptural root systems of the fallen trees, the stumps left from logging, the 362 foot tall Dyerville Redwood which fell in 1991 and still provides nutrients and living to the other plants and animals, the splintered log of another fallen tree, learning about burls which are actually a cluster of buds which may sprout to grow a new tree.

It's hard to take a picture of the whole tree!

About half way we stopped at Burlington Campground to spend the night. The next day we finished the drive and rejoined 101 to continue north. We got to Eureka and ate at the famous Cookhouse Restaurant. It is on the Register of Historic Places because it was formerly a cookhouse for the Samoan workers. It serves one menu, family style. People sit at long tables and you never know who your neighbor might be!

Since we had no trouble camping last night I thought tonight would also be easy! Not so! The state beach campgrounds were full, so we ended up at a private campground, Emerald Forest.

Don and the burned out tree

By Saturday, I was tired of camping among the redwoods. In spite of their beauty and uniqueness, they make for a dark and sometimes damp campground. Our drive was still through the forests until we got to Crescent City (named for the crescent shape of the bay). We gave up looking for campgrounds and stayed in the WalMart parking lot!