The Ballad of More Big Trees (Redwood National and State Parks Post)

The Redwood Coast of Northern California is protected as a series of National and State Parks.  These parks follow along Highway 101.  The redwood tree is a cousin to the Sequoia tree, sharing the same genus.  The scientific name for coast redwood, is Sequoia sempervirens.   While the Sequoia tree is the largest by volume, the redwood holds the title of tallest.  (The tallest tree is a coastal redwood at a height of 379 feet.)  It is estimated that 95% of the original old growth redwoods have been logged, as unlike the brittle wood of the Sequoia, the wood of the redwood is good for lumber and construction.  Like the Sequoia, its bark contains tannins, chemicals which protect the tree from fire and decay.

Unfortunately, much of the parks is inaccessible to RV travel, but we were able to walk in a few groves.  However, as we were consoled by a ranger, "You've seen one redwood, you've seen them all" That was a bit disappointing to hear as our whole trip was centered on seeing the big trees, but we saw more than our one redwood, and none of us agree with the standpoint.

Dad at the big trees!

Beware the blackberry stealing bear which has been seen frequenting the park.
(On a side note, there were many blackberry bushes off the side of the road, from which you were welcome to pick from for your own consumption!)

From the hollow tree

Not only are the trees huge, but also the ferns and clovers.

I couldn't find any four-leaf clovers, but Auntie Debbie here's your challenge!

The Declaration of Independence Grove

Looking up

You can see the mixing of the salt and freshwater on the Klamath River.  

This is what remains of the Douglas Memorial Bridge over the Klamath River.  In December of 1964, the area was struck with a flood, and as much as 24 inches of rain melted the snow, and the swollen rivers all rushed towards the ocean.  Logs and other debris swept away the Douglas Memorial Bridge, which had stood for over 40 years as well as destroyed the town of Klamath.

The remains of the bridge are still protected by two bear statues on either end.  

The rebuilt bridge has four golden bears.  Two guarding each side.  

When we went for our walk to a redwood grove in Jedediah Smith State Park, there was no RV parking, so we parked in the picnic area and walked along a trail following this river, and through the campground and over this footbridge.  It is only there seasonally, and it wobbles a bit while you walk over it.

Karen in the "pair of pants" stump.  

This is called a chandelier tree, and it is quite common among redwoods.  It occurs when a new tree grows where a branch would normally be.  

I thought this looked like a hand.  

Look at the roots of the tree growing around the other stump!

A weird hole in the tree bark

While Mom and Karen were on their quest for banana slugs, we found this snail shell instead!

Ciao!

Amy