Redwoods Northern CA

Our destination is the Redwoods and we will be staying in Eureka but the trip there is longer than we like to do in one day so we spent the night in Clear Lake Oaks at the Moose Lodge, again $10.00 for the night with 30amp service.

We stayed at the Moose Lodge in Eureka as well.  Again 30 amp for $10 a night in a campground setting with Redwood trees. 

Another great thing about staying at the Moose Lodges is they don't charge extra for another vehicle and there is usually lots of room for all of our stuff, plus the drinks are cheap and they serve food!  The folks are always friendly and full of information about the area.  If you are interested in joining the Royal Order of the Moose you can click on the link http://www.mooseintl.org/public/default.asp  to get more information, yearly dues are $60.00.  If you decided to join go to your local lodge to join.

The next day we headed north to get a closer look at these beautiful giant trees.  Our first stop was Lady Bird Johnson Grove off Hwy 101 where we drove through beautiful tree lined roads

                                                and then took a hike to the dedication site.  The realization that old-growth redwood forests were disappearing far-too-rapidly led to the establishment of three redwood state parks in the 1920's and Redwood National Park in 1968.  Lady Bird Johnson was very active in preserving the redwoods.  We continued on taking the scenic Newton B. Drury Parkway which is the original hwy 101.  Words nor pictures can not describe these giant trees, this is truly a trip everyone should take.

This is a hikers Paradise with trails leading you into lush fern groves transporting you into another world.

These gentle giants can reach heights of 350' or more.  Coastal redwoods live longer than almost any plants on our planet. 

Next stop was Fern Canyon which is a must see.  But first you pass a meadow where you might be lucky enough to spot an Elk grazing, we were lucky.

You will travel down a 10 mile single lane road to reach it, glad we didn't take the motorcycle.

 

On your left you will see the coast line, much different then what we are accustom too back home.  It was a bright sunny day but once on the coast it is different, kind of grey.

Now Fern Canyon.  Jurassic Park 2 was filmed here.

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The next day we did some exploring in Eureka. 

This is the former home of William Carson a Pioneer Lumberman.  It is known as the castle on the hill which over looks the town and the seaport.

Eureka is known for artists, there are over 23 murals painted through out the town.  They also have a great brewery which we of course checked out.

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Day 3 we loaded up on the bike and headed south to the Avenue of the Giants.

Did you know that a very large redwood can release up to 500 gallons of water into the air a day!

It must be something when these giants fall.

And of course we had to go to Myers Flat so we could drive through the tree.

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Day 4 was spent in the town of Ferndale which is south of Eureka.  Ferndale is known for it's well preserved Victorian stores and home fronts.  It is also the home town of Guy Fieri, he hosts the show Diners, Drive ins and Dives.

I must also mention that Eureka has wonderful old preserved Victorian homes as well.  Next stop was a very small town called Loleta which has a cheese factory.  Actually there wasn't much else there but boy the cheese was excellent, we brought home several blocks.  Once back home we started packing up as the Caravan is moving North.

                                              Thanks again for following our adventures.

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