Thursday, 10/21
Early to bed last night, up early this morning. First thing, check the weather. No rain. Here is the full moon at 6:20 AM from our front window:
As we had breakfast, the sun rose and the weather looked good. But the meteorologists insisted rain was coming. Since it was still rain free, we decided to do something. It’s redwood country so at 9:00 am we headed for Redwood National Park which is actually five or six different redwood areas spread across sixty miles along the 101 in northern California.
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It’s only twenty miles to the section we decided to visit. The visitor center is located right on US 101 at a beautiful (but treacherous) beach. Not a redwood in sight there.
Then it was on to the Redwood Forest. Because 60 mph winds three days ago brought many branches down, the scenic drive through the redwoods was closed. But the trails were open. We chose a three mile hike that took us to the “Big Tree”. It was a wonderful walk. Redwoods are amazing. Pictures tell the story. (No, that’s not a prehistoric monster in the photos, just a hunk of dead redwood.) Did you know that redwoods get 50% of their moisture from fog? We didn’t either, but it’s a fact.
Then we headed back to Trinidad for lunch at the Trinidad Bay Eatery. Good food! We split an appetizer – French fries covered in melted parmesan cheese and blanketed with fresh crab meet. OMG good. Elaine had mussels and fries as her main; I indulged in the gigantic Pandemic Black and Blue Burger with bacon and a side of onion rings. We had absolutely no room for their signature blackberry cobbler.
As we ate, the rain started. Major rain. Sideways pelting rain. We stopped at the local Murphy’s grocery store for a couple of items and then went home to hunker down. Our cocktails were indoors in the living room as we watched the rain coming down in buckets. No dinner required. Still full from lunch.
Early to bed with prayers for at least some rain free hours tomorrow.
These ocean pix me me yearn to see the sea. So long for us.
Redwoods are amazing. Just to think how long they have been around…….
Keep on, keepin’ on…….
Very impressive Joe and Elaine! California remains beautiful and mysterious! Todd and Jan have been roaming around Washington State, Idaho, and Wyoming visiting Olympic National Park, Glacier National Park, Spokane and other sites. Julia got married two weeks ago (Oct. 7th) in Essen Germany and is expecting their first baby end of December. She and husband Felix met in Boston in 2014 while he was a medical researcher at MGH. I will email you a link to a Flickr album of photos taken at her wedding. Cindy delivered an 8 pound baby boy (Rowan) a week ago Saturday afternoon. I will email you a link an album I plan to add more photos after we visit them this Sunday in Calais, VT. So much going on all at once.
Wow. That 1500 year old Big Tree must have seen a lot of fog over the years! Very impressive.
Food at the Eatery sounded scrumptious. Hope for better weather soon.
So glad you saw the redwoods. They truly are amazing! Keeping fingers crossed for your sunshine! Keep try…Cindy