In this second installment of our summer vacation, I'd just like to say that there are trees, and then there are TREES. There are the 90-year-old oak trees hanging around the hills of Seattle that give the city such character, and then there are these thousand-year-old Redwoods that have endured fires, storms, people invading their areas, all kinds of infestations, and yet, here they are.
We toured two main parts of the Redwoods National Forest, one just south of Eureka and one just north. They truly were stunning, and it's hard to convey that in just two dimensions. If you've been there, you know what I mean.
That tree in the picture above is called "Big Tree." I know. Kind of stating the obvious there.
What was interesting on that second day is that there was fog all throughout the coastline rolling in off the ocean, but once you got a little ways inland to the Redwoods, the fog lifted and the day was beautiful. Someone along the way explained that the heat of the valley (90+ temps) keeps that area from being overrun with the fog rolling in off the Pacific, which is normal for this time of year. It's San Francisco weather. So what we saw of the coastline on that second day was this:
We stayed the second night in Crescent City, CA - about 100 or 150 miles north of Eureka. After the Redwoods, we stayed pretty close on the coastline, traveling 101 the whole way. The ocean was really wild and active. I think that's what I love about the Pacific. It's wild and loud and in your face all the time. Love it.
We never did get out of the fog/overcast weather on day 2 (except for when we were in the Redwoods), and it was chilly - 60s. There was basically a 15 or 20 degree difference between the Redwoods and the coastline. Dress in layers.
Crescent City is a lazy little town that caters to the tourist crowd. We had some amazing fish & chips at a little restaurant right on the marina area. It looked like it was pretty close to where the fishing boats come in and out. You know it's good when Shawn asked our server whether he should get the $27 steak or the $11 fish 'n chips and she recommended the fish 'n chips.
The restaurant was on the water and looked out to a landing where all the sea lions were hanging out. Talk about loud. Those guys bark more than Gretel at the dog park.
They were all right dinner companions, though.
There is something magical about seeing trees that date back to the middle ages. It was a great day - and something Shawn and I won't soon forget. I hope Lorelei remembers, too.
Next up, crossing into the most beautiful state in the Union.
No comments:
Post a Comment