Sept 12-15, 2017

(Photos to come. We are down a computer…)

WOW! These are some BIG trees! We are in the Northern California National and State Redwood Parks. Our campground is right in the a Redwood Forest! 200 ft. tall Redwoods tower over our camper. These are newer growth trees, since logging at the turn of the century- 1900s. Many have grown around huge stumps that are 10-15ft across.
So often on our travels we have become speechless (hard to imagine, right?) as words can not possibly describe the “biggness”, “expansiveness” and overwhelming awe that is inspired by the many places we’ve been. As we both pointed out huge tree after tree- “there’s another one”, “look at that huge tree”, – we realized that every where we looked were amazing treess- hence this picture of Clare pointing with all 10 fingers at huge trees!
Did you know…(we did not)…that Redwoods get 1/3 of their water needs from the fog that enshrouds the coast almost every day until at least noon? And this are gets over 100 inches of rain every year- so that means the trees drink up another 50inches of rain through the fog!
The understory of the forest is quite interesting as well- lots of ferns- 7 different types, from small ones to 3 foot high big bushy ones. A type of maple with sprawling trunks, huge leaves, and heavily covered in moss- they would look big, but next to a redwood, not so much. Wild Rhododendren and other leggy shrubs and that is about it in the Redwood Forests.
We have finally experienced absolute silence! Our campsite is in a “closed” area of this campground. Since we had it reserved and it affords a tiny bit of sunlight for our solar panels, the Ranger allowed us to be here, even though the surrounding 20 sites are closed. There has been no wind, very few birds and only a few people walking by occassionally- this is quiet!
Jedediah Smith Redwood Park- on our way east. Some of the Star Wars Speedchaser scenes were filmed here! Super tall Redwoods here in a beautiful grove. Breathtaking!