Warmth!

We're parked in Petaluma, California for a few days, and it reached 80 degrees here yesterday. We haven't seen such warmth since we were in Fairbanks in June. It's a pleasant change from the cool fall weather, often rainy, that we've had over the last few months.

Coastal Redwoods, the tallest trees on earth

We had planned to stop at Mount Rainier and Crater Lake National Parks as we left the Northwest. But it was raining in Yakima, our jumping off point, and there was no relief in the forecast. So we hustled out of the area. Snow was reported after we left in the mountainous areas.

Our next planned stop was Redwood National Park in northern California, between Crescent City and Orick. We found an RV park in Klamath, CA, and settled in for a few days. The first day was sunny and clear, unusual for that area. A significant percentage of the water consumed by the redwoods comes in the form of fog, much more common. I got out to the Pacific Coast and took some pictures of the rugged, rocky shore and the incredible surf pounding the rocks. A surprising discovery was on old WWII radar station hugging the coast. My imagination created a vision of a big dish pointing out over the ocean. The actual site was far less dramatic. It was constructed to appear as a farm along the shore, a small farmhouse and barn like structure, quite innocuous in appearance. Up close, it was obvious that both buildings were constructed of cement block, covered with wood and cedar shingles on the roof. I guess it was successful, since it's still there.

Mahlon and Thumper on the pier

The second day of our stay, rain did arrive, and we used the weather to trip into Crescent City to see the National Park Visitor Center and check out the town. The Visitor Center was small, but informative. They suggested a several places in town to visit, which we did. One was the coastal scenic drive, another great view of the rocky California shoreline. We were surprised that the real estate along the shore was fairly modest, compared to coastal homes most anywhere else in the country. I would have loved to be at some of the scenic viewpoints here on a clear day with the sun going dow. I'm sure the sunset would have been spectacular.

Battery Point Lighthouse

We walked the city pier, which gave great views of Battery Point Lighthouse, a very picturesque structure at the end of town. The breakwater provided storage for dozens of cement beach blockade anchors, likely left from WWII. On this rainy day, the foghorn and bell buoys warned mariners, but got on our nerves after a while.

The final attraction in Crescent City was the seal dock, where we did indeed find a dozen harbor seals resting their hulks and barking at each other.

Seals in Crescent City

The next day I tripped into the National Park. The sun was out, but the fog was thick. I have always been amazed by the magnificent redwoods, huge trees towering over anything else in the forest. 5 of the 10 tallest trees in the world are in this park, and many huge specimens are along the road, some so close that vehicles have hit them, or they are growing into guard rails. Walking a short distance from the road, groves of these huge trees can be seen growing together. Often they are shoots from an older central tree which has died and disappeared, absorbed back into the forest. Four foot diameter limbs high in the canopy collect airborne soil, and plant life takes up residence high off the forest floor.

The forest floor is equally interesting. Ferns cover much of the forest floor, one of the few plants that can thrive in the near permanent shade provided by the giants.

RV in the fog

Later that day we pulled up camp and traveled the length of the Newton B. Drury Scenic Highway which travels through the heart of the park. Every inch of this trip revealed magnificent views of the forest, until we reached the Elk Prairie at the south end of the road. A large herd of Roosevelt Elk roam this area, but our travel at mid-day was the least likely to reveal them, and we did not see any.

Rejoining US 101, we continued south to the Orick Visitors Center, which is right on the coast, but the fog was too thick for us to glimpse the ocean in this location. We did stop in and chat with the rangers, and took in the 12 minute movie about the park.

We continued south through Eureka, entered the Humboldt State Park, another glorious redwood forest. Some section of 101 are 4 lane California freeway, but small chunks meander through the big trees in narrow two lane stretches. More glorious scenery.

We stopped overnight in Redcrest, staying in Redcrest Resort, a facility which disrespects its name. The sites were goofy, utilities strange, wifi not working, staff unhelpful. One of the low lights of our trip. The next day we traveled here to Petaluma, and found a nice place to stay at the Elks Lodge, which has one of the best RV facilities we've seen at an Elks Club... 18 full hookup RV sites, and it was full when we arrived. We stayed one night in the parking lot without hookups.

The weather here is gorgeous. I'm planning to take advantage of it to get some good pictures in Point Reyes National Seashore.