monday, october 5, 2009
after waking up and leaving the evil walmart parking lot (tho we are certainly grateful that its free camping there), we drove to 3211 dewoody lane (grandparent’s address) to see if the christmas tree was there (thanks brenny, for the memory) – and it was!
then, we drove south on the 199 – the redwood highway – into northern california.
driving through the redwoods national forests is and incredible experience. the trees…so humbling, so grand, so inspiring. then to get out and touch them, their feet planted eons ago, still standing, living life in the mists and the soil that is so fertile here. i highly recommend this place to everyone to see at least once in their lifetime. it really puts things into perspective, yep.
so we drove south on the 199, through the six rivers national forest, and the jed smith redwood state park. shot lots of pictures and video. you tube is taking it time to load, so i will post two here and if i get a chance to upload the rest, i will post a link to the others, should you decide to check them all out. the ride was amazing!
after we got to the 101, we drove north to pelican state beach and julia got her feet wet in the PACIFIC OCEAN – YEAH!! sure, it was coldy cold!!
and, we drove by pelican bay state prison – where charles manson spent some time, back when:
then south on the one oh one to crescent city:
the sea ions there have their own dock, and were oh so cute, yep!
the park ranger at the redwoods national park office there in crescent city directed us to the redwood hostel, just south of town. we had been asking about camping, and the national parks camping is up to $35 a night, and since we have been car camping with food in the car, it was recommended that we not camp in the woods, because the bears are gathering their winter stores, and might become a nuisance (!!). so we headed south to the hostel, which ended up being the very best thing, ever.
this included our first california sunset, as seen from our dorm rood window. it was a very short walk across the 101 to the beach, but i was just to tired to do it, so i took some shots from the window:
the hostel was so nice. just like coming home. it is an historical pioneer homestead that was built in the 1800’s and was named one of the top 5 hostels in north america. it was such a great experience, we intend to stay in hostels as often as we can here, in california. we met a guy named jarred, who is walking – not hitching – from seattle, to san diego (i think). he is 3 years into college, studying business & finance, and is looking for what to do with his life. i drove him to crescent city to buy some wool socks and we talked and talked the whole way. he is a pretty cool guy with a lot to see and i hope and wish that he finds what he is looking for on the road. he is our next generation, and our hope for the future.
some shots from inside the hostel. as you can see it has shared common room, kitchen (including pots, pans, dishes, etc.) and is right across the highway from the beach:
and so, our first night in california was homey and oh so nice. northern california is creeping into my heart…
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