LADY BIRD JOHNSON GROVE

Today was supposed to be a day to go bike riding into Patrick Point State Park. By the way, it's now called Sue-Meg State Park, the name was changed back to the Yurok Indian name recently. Patrick, as it turns out was a bad guy, so he lost his park. Anyway, it was so foggy this morning that the bike ride was postponed, hopefully for another sunny day. 

Looking at the Redwood Forest Map, they found a hike through the ancient redwood grove named for Lady Bird Johnston.  The hike was about a mile and a half loop through old-growth redwood, Douglas fir, and tanoak to where Lady Bird Johnson dedicated Redwood National Park in 1968. Some of the trees were at least 20 feet in diameter. There were even trees still thriving, showing signs of fire damage from many years ago. Of course, it was very foggy and cool on the hike with plenty of beautiful things to see. This area was a major logging area before the Redwoods State and National Parks were established.  These pictures show how the fog floats into the forest to nurture the trees.

On the way back to our campsite there were many sightings of the Roosevelt Elk herds that wander through the open prairies of wildflowers and grass. Maybe we will get close enough to take some pictures while we are here.

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF THE SEA

We are finally here at "Sounds of the Sea" RV Resort. This is my third time here and we have the best site ever. This is our view, we have our own deck that looks out to the sea, and we can even hear the sea lions singing to each other.  There are wild black-berries everywhere, so the first thing Kathe did was pick a whole pail full. The cobbler is already in the oven!

Our drive here was very scary at times because of the road work on many of the bridges along the coast. Kathe kept telling Jim not to look down because the motor home was so close to the edge of the cliff. It was also foggy most of the way down. I know the redwood trees need the fog, but do they need so much of it?

Just getting settled in tonight. After three days in the forest the motor home was very dirty, and Jim took most of the afternoon to clean thing up. Now there is nothing to do but eat, drink and relax. 

MORE TIME IN THE REDWOODS

This morning everyone was up early to catch the low tide at the Agate Beach. When I say early, that's human speech for 10:30 maybe 11:00. I've been up for hours! 

Anyway, Warren heard about this beach that was supposed to have lots of agates, pretty white stones with lots of gold flecks. As you can see, it was a very beautiful beach, with practically no one else around. There were lots of birds enjoying the low tide and all, but it was darn cold and windy. That rock out there is home to over 300 species of sea birds. Warren found two nice agates. Jim and Kathe found a bunch of pretty stones which they threw away, and Kathy T flew another of her beautiful kites. And it was darn cold and windy!

Next on the agenda today was a trip to the "Trees of Mystery," which is a giant tourist trap on Highway 101 in the middle of the Redwoods. Jokingly called the Trees of Misery, my humans proceeded to tramp through the woods and follow the crowds. It was an interesting and informative trail up into a forest with lots of giant trees. Part of the trail was a sky-bridge of 9 suspension walkways that 3 of the humans bravely crossed. Guess who stayed on the ground and watched them? The last part of the trail (before the gift shop) was a gondola ride that took them up above the tops of the trees. That was impressive.

Tomorrow it's another drive down the coast to our next stop, Sounds of the Sea, Trinidad, California.

IN THE REDWOODS

Here we are right in the middle of the Redwoods. It’s so quiet here at night, almost spooky because the trees are so big and tall. Only one little problem, pine sap everywhere, including on my paws. Kathe was not very gentle this morning, but she finally removed a rock stuck in between my toes using mayonnaise. Bad news all that work, and I have three more paws!

Today the humans went out to see more Redwood trees at Jedediah Smith State Park. We camped there once but now they only allow 25-foot motor homes, so cross that one off your list. They were however able to hike in the park and see the huge trees along the river.

Later they went to see the Battery Lighthouse in Crescent City, an historic landmark which was built in 1856. It’s a cape cod style lighthouse and still functional. They walked up to the lighthouse to have a picnic and hardly finished their lunch before they were asked to leave. Apparently, the tide was coming in and if they didn’t leave quickly, they would have to wade through water to get back to the car. Or wait till low tide this evening at 8:30 PM. They are home now in time for my dinner.

OREGON TO CALIFORNIA

Crossed the border this morning, and we are on our way back home. The drive on Highway 101 was beautiful but so difficult. Back and forth on the windy road for several hours. Lots of beautiful scenery, but the road was so rough that Kathe couldn't hold her cell phone steady long enough to get a good picture. The phone kept bouncing along with the road. Jim finally stopped at a viewpoint, and she snapped this one of the rocks along the Oregon Coast. 

One of hundreds of beautiful coastal views we saw today. The coast was very foggy and cool, so different than the hot weather we have experienced much of the summer.  We seem to be far enough away from the forest fire to have clear blue sky.

What a wonderful surprise it was when we arrived at our campground. Ramblin' Redwoods is exactly as advertised, in the middle of a Redwood Grove.  We have huge Redwoods all around us, so tall it's hard to take a picture. We are really happy to be here for the next three nights. 

It's so cool tonight we are even going to have a campfire!

EXPLORING BANDON

This morning while I was recovering from the ordeal of getting the long-promised bath in the kitchen sink, the humans decided to go for a bike ride.  Kathy and Warren drove up to our campground with their bikes and Kathe and Jim met them on the park road. There is a really nice bike path to the beach, but Jim decided that they should ride on the road because it was smoother, and not as narrow as the path. 

First, they rode about a mile to the beach and then another 2 miles to see the Lighthouse on the Coquille River. This historic lighthouse was built 1895 and neglected for many years before the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department took over the maintenance. Volunteer Park Rangers are on site to protect this landmark.

After they rode back to camp, they decided to have lunch together and take a drive to Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint. The Taylors have a collection of kites that they wanted to fly on the rocks above the beach. It was a very windy afternoon. The rocks and tidal flats adjacent to the park form part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge.

There are more than 300 bird species that frequent this area. Perfect place for flying birds as well as kites.

BEAUTIFUL BANDON BY THE SEA

Enjoying our stay here at the Bullards Beach State Park. We have a really nice site with high shrubbery on all three sides which makes it very private. It's a huge State Park, but we are in our own little space.

Kathe spent the morning doing loads of laundry while Jim was paying bills. I was a little afraid that I was going to get a bath today, but I lucked out. I'm really dirty after spending time at Lemolo in the dirt and gravel, but today was cloudy and cold. So, no bath for me.

Later in the afternoon Kathe went for a long walk to the beach and took a couple of pictures. There is a really nice walking path from the park to the beach and the lighthouse. Tomorrow Kathe and Jim will take a bike ride to the same area with Warren and Kathy.

The Taylors arrived today from Canyonville and are really enjoying the cooler weather here. I have my fur coat, but everyone else is wearing sweatshirts.