Tall Trees Trail – Redwoods National/State Park

Life is tough, I thought, as I sat on my comfy couch in the bay window (slideout), protected from the wind and spitting rain, while watching the wild waves of the Pacific crash on the beaches below.

Meanwhile, my Kozy World heater kept the place toasty warm without using any power, and the big fridge insured a good supply of cold drinks.

After a peaceful night of surf sounds, it was time to get to ‘work’.

I was waiting at the Kuchel Visitor Center when they opened the gates in the morning, and parked the rig in their parking lot for the day.  I wanted to check out some ‘tall’ trees, though that is a relative term around here!  The Tall Trees Trail (wonder how they thought up that name?) is accessible only by a restricted 6 mile long road.  But it is a free, first-come-first-served permit, so with the secret gate code and permit in hand, I was off.  First, up the Bald Hills Road, and a quick stop at the Redwood Creek Overlook – with a great view of the valley, and the ocean off in the distance.Then, onto the Tall Trees road.

I made it through the gate with no problem – now the long descent to the trailhead.They warned me about bears and cougars in the area – but I’m kind of used to that at home.  But it you look carefully at the pamphlet (click to view full size), you will see the ‘No attacks’ has been stamped over top with, um ‘Few attacks’.  Guess the liability police were watching the pamphlet people!

I actually had my bear spray along anyway.  The single lane former logging road was in good shape, and I was the only vehicle on it that morning.  My kind of place. 

And since I knew that I was the only person on the road, I knew that I would be the only person on the trail!

 

Of course, I read all the safety information at the trailhead.  It was an 800’ descent to the Tall Trees Grove, but being used to hiking around 5-6000 feet elevations at home, I find the air fairly thick here at sea level.

The trees were big.  This one that had fallen was a small one!

This tree has it’s own forest starting to grow along the rotted trunk.I was curious to see just how old these trees really were, so I got out my little campers saw and cut this one down for a look. Some of these trees are up to 1500 years old.  That’s even older than some friends of mine. At around 500 tons, it was too heavy to haul back in my truck for firewood, so I left it for others to ponder!  Other trees were virtual forests of ferns – growing all the way up the trunks. Not sure if this one is the tallest in the world or not, but it was featured in National Geographic according to the plaque and photos on site. Look up – Look way UP!   On the way out, I checked out this logging road – just on the edge of the park, and found that it was quite active.

On the way back to the valley, I also stopped and hiked around the Lady Bird Johnson Grove in a light rain.  I also had that trail to myself, even though it was not on the ‘restricted access’ list.  It was dedicated to her in 1968, by then president Nixon.

OK, relax already.  I didn’t cut down that or any other tree.  No trees, trails, or roads were harmed during the production of this blog!

US Dollar coins!

For Kelly of the Bayfield Bunch, I took a photo of some coins for comparison.  I don’t think you would confuse the dollar with the quarter because it is a bit larger, and gold in colour.  It is however, pretty much identical in size and appearance to the Loonie.

From the left: the US dollar coin, two US quarters, two loonies and a Canadian quarter, and on the right, two toonies!This is my first attempt at posting with Live Writer.  Let’s see how it works out?

 

Nice oceanview campsite from last nite on the California coast.

Who would have known? Dollar coins in the US? Wow! About time.
Of course, the US, like Canada has had the silver dollar for quite some time - but no one every used them for anything except collecting. Canada has since moved well out in front with the Loonie and the Toonie coins which make everything a lot more convenient.

Till now in the US, you almost needed a wagon to haul around enough quarters to do laundry, use a vending machine, or wash the car, or shower at a campground. Imagine my surprise when I put a $5 bill into the change machine at a car wash in Florence, Or. I expected to fill my pockets with quarters, but out came - a mere 5 coins. Which I then used in the car wash. How conenient! I hope this is spreading across the land!

I spent the night at the Old Mill Casino in North Bend, after getting an oil change at Walmart and asking if their 'no camping' signs meant - no camping! Much to my surprise, they said that is what they meant. Well, to heck with them. (Maybe it is a city bylaw?)

It rained a lot of the night, which was likely why I was not bothered by traffic noise at night, being right beside the highway at the casino. But at least it was free - tho they want you to register.
As I headed south down the coast, the sun actually came out for a while, so I took the opportunity to walk down along the beach and check it out.
It was windy enough that the sand was even starting to blow around.
And the foam was blowing off the tops of the big rollers coming in.
It was pretty much deserted, which was nice.
I took some sea gull - view photos!
Of the freshly washed sand as the waves receded.
And even this gull agreed to pose for a photo.
Then, on the underside of a huge outcrop on the beach I discovered a whole colony of starfish and barnacles and the like.
The tide was low, so they were all exposed.
Various colours, too!
Barnacles everywhere.
The high waves were still washing around on the shore-side of the rocks, which would be completely surrounded at high tides.
Looking back at the highway.
And out to sea - through a natural bridge channel that the waves funneled through.
Even more starfish clinging to the underside of the rock.
Had to watch for the next big wave to keep from getting wet feet and/or camera!
So that is how I spent my day (so far). How was yours?
I downloaded Live Writer on the advice of Wandering Willy, but forgot to give it a try this time.
Till next time.

Not too much to report this time around. spent a very peaceful, quiet night at the Evergreen Aviation and Space museum in McMinnville, then headed out to the coast at Lincoln City.

It was a beautiful sunny, weekend day, so there were lots of tourists around enjoying the sunshine and the views. Tried for an oil change at Oil Can Henry's but could not find a convenient place to park the rig, so put it off for a later date.

It was too early in the day to stop at Beverly Beach State Park, so kept heading south towards the Sea Lion Caves area.

Since it was Saturday, I had to stop in good time and set up the satellite dish to watch the Leafs hockey game.

Found this nice spot right on the water, so I got to watch the amazing sunset over the water during the second intermission.
And time for a stroll down to the shore.
But alas, it was a day-use area so when the game ended, I headed back into the woods with only the sound of a creek and the distant breakers to put me so sleep.
It was a narrow little road, but I had been down it a few times before with the truck camper, so I knew what to expect. Even so, it was a little tight to turn around with a few vehicles parked at the end.
No worries, back on the coastal road slowly southbound.

Thursday morning, everything was in order and I was able to hit the road by 10 - which was not too bad. Stopped in Golden to check to make sure nothing was dragging or missing, and grabbed a 'double-double' at Tim's since Walter was busy!

The big GMC was passing cars like they were standing still up Roger's Pass, which was only damp on the upside. I think I was lucky to make it rhrough without stopping as I saw the gun crews out to shoot avalanches and one snow shed had one-way traffic for some cleanup. Easy to forget there is a 5th wheel behind you with this truck!

Going down the pass was all wet from melting snow, so it was a bit dirty, but no rocks in the windshield, so not complaining.

Got some fuel in Salmon Arm and carried on west non-stop through Kamloops and the Coquihalla - which was pleasantly dry and 2C on top.

I crossed the dreaded border south of Abottsford, but did not have an overzealous tyrant this time and all went smoothly.
Things were going well, and I bought my first tank of cheaper fuel in Lynden, just south of the border.
Since I knew that Wandering Willy was holed up somewhere at a casino a bit further south, I passed on the Walmart in Bellingham and hit I-5.

Sure enough, I found his rig parked among the other RV's there, and parked right beside him. I knew it was late, so I left him a note and sent him an e-mail to wake me up for coffee before he headed on his last short leg home in the morning.

He did so in the morning, and we had a good chat discussing those things that RV'ers talk about. Batteries, internet, boondcking places, etc.
I sent him on his way north, and left the casino camping area and headed south.
Pulled off somewhere near Chehalis to have a bite to eat and to confuse my GPS navigator. Got to keep 'her' from falling asleep!
And I took advantage of the lack of freezing temperatures to fill up the fresh water tank at a rest stop along the interstate.
Totally impressed to be still getting over 20mpg (Imp) towing this big rig.
I guess I managed to hit the start of rush hour in Portland, but it was not too bad as I turned off and pointed the GM toward the coast.
Once again, the Evergreen Air and Space Museum has provided a nice quiet parking lot to relax for the night.

It's early March, spring is in the air, and all the stars are aligned!

It looks as if I will be able to get back on the road for a while - right away.

I have been back in Lake Louise for a month getting things organized. I had a lot of shovelling to do in the driveway, and to get the snow off the roof of the 5th wheel (below).

But, once that was done, it has hardly snowed at all - for the entire month. But the local ski hill still has more snow than Cypress mountain in Vancouver where they had to pay to fly a lot of very expensive snow to pull off some of the Olympic events. I'm sure we taxpayers will be receiving our bill in the mail for that soon.

On the Monday night following the closing ceremonies in Vancouver on Sunday, there was a steady stream of tour buses on the highway past here - eastbound. I must have counted 50 between Banff and Lake Louise.

In preparation for eventual departure, I had to dig some more snow away from the rig - so I could at least get the wheel blocks removed and check the tire pressures.I ran out the slide on one side to test it, but the snow was too deep on the far side to run that one out. At least the temps were hovering around freezing, so it was not too miserable. And I transferred everything I could think of from the truck camper into the 5th wheel. I wonder what I have missed?
I needed 4WD to get into hitching position, as there are still hummocks of snow and ice on the driveway. But eventually I got it hooked up, and tested the brakes and wiring, and all passed with flying colours.
Then, I went for a drive into the village to test all the systems and to make sure I could still remember how to back up into a campsite, etc. Mount Victoria, at the rear of Lake Louise is in the background in this shot.

I pulled into a couple of campsites that have been cleared of snow.
And, in case you don't believe some of the camping rates in the National Park, here they are.
(Click on photo for full size view)
It is $32.30 for a parking spot with electricity and a picnic table. If you want a fire, that is $8.80 (a night) extra, though wood is supplied. And there are hot showers available.

Though the weather reports look favourable for travel on almost any route (south), I think I will still opt for the west coast variety to ensure I don't get any snowy or stormy surprises in those high passes in Montana and Idaho.
Besides, that way I can keep an eye out for Wandering Willy on his way northbound!

Stay tuned for reports from the road!