Day 17 - Travel Day to San Francisco/Napa, CA

Today is a travel day from the beautiful Redwood Park area.  The highway which is 101 is also called the Redwood Highway.  After spending a couple of days in this area we were sad to leave as the redwoods are awesome.  We took pictures as we left to always remind us of this incredible site. 

Along the way there is beautiful scenery and  many interesting stops.  The Grandfather Tree is so amazing.  Many of these trees are over a thousand years old and they are so huge that I kept saying that they make me feel so small. 

 

Confusion Hill is truly a mystery.  Here your body will defy the Laws of Nature.  Gravity seems to be confused and you will be too. 

Gerald and Lula learned something about the value of the Tailgunner thumping tires in the morning. Spence found that their right rear tire was about 40 lbs low.  They were able to get under way after having the tire inflated with Brian's compressor.  However, about 100 miles out they discovered that the tire was losing air again and, fortunately, Spence and Madi were only about 20 miles behind him.  They were able to get him back on the road and into the next campground where he had a mobile tire repair come take care of the problem; which turned out to be a large screw embedded in the tire.

After a beautiful drive through Northern Ca. and seeing many vineyards we arrived at our destination north of San Francisco in Santa Rosa. 

We always enjoy ending our day socializing with our new Adventure Caravan friends and sharing stories, food, and getting briefed about our next day and adventure. 

Submitted by:  Sandy and Hex #1

Day 16 - Redcrest, CA

Donna got loaded and ready for a day of fun among the giant Redwoods.

We arrived at the drive-thru tree and started our tour.

We drove the car through the cut in the tree.  We had almost an inch of extra clearance.  Wade and Emily even got their big Caddy through without a scratch. 

We drove the car on top of a log and had plenty of room to spare.  Several of us did it, one at a time.

A very old playhouse with books carved into the walls.  Some of the kids had to play in the house.

A small log dating back to 1,000 A.D.

Then to the Visitors Center where we watched a move about the Giants.  

We had a picnic lunch at the Woman's Club Park.

We had a good meal around the campfire with many stories of the day and lots of laughs.

Submitted by:  Joe and Donna Risley #16

Day 15 - Travel Day to Redcrest, CA

Left the Crescent City campground and rode past the ocean and along the Redwood Highway to reach our first stop---TREES OF MYSTERY.

We walked through the mysterious trees up to the sky ride through the redwood canopy.  On the way out we saw all the carvings. 

Drove through the Prairie Creek State Park on our way to lunch at the Samoa Cookhouse. 

  

Finally we drove down the Avenue of Giants to our Redcrest campsite.

Submitted by:  John and Pat Pellegrino #15

Day 14 - Crescent City, CA

Off at 9:30 to meet at Ocean world.  

 While waiting some of us enjoyed riding a surfboard in front of a painted sea scene.

Or climb aboard a small jet scooter.  Who says we can’t have fun??? 

Great tour by director of facility who clearly loves his job.  ­­­  

Very informed & enthusiastic.

First the tide water pool where we could pick up & touch starfish, sea urchins, etc.  Tiny eels & other creatures hid under the rocks.  

Our tour guide shared lots of information about starfish & other tide pool creatures.  Then to the downstairs aquarium where seawater is filtered in.  Has both prey & predators in tank so some fish disappear from time to time.  He shared that he had put 100 crabs in a few days ago; only 10 remained hidden under rocks.  Beautiful fish.  Scary looking fish.  

More fish facts with special emphasis upon rockfish, which are what is typically served in restaurants.  One “living fossil”, which dates to dinosaur days, was a large sturgeon,who swam around with a line of spots down each side.  Known for caviar (sturgeon eggs) and for being a boneless fish.  Then to the shark tank where baby sharks got all excited and swam over for a nice back rub.  As long as you pet from front to back, feels almost like fur.  Not the other direction, then you notice the skin is spiny.   

Lastly we met the performers, who did everything from waving to us, rolls, somersaults, mighty leaps, & returning items, which fell into tank.  

One mighty leap up to hit a ball suspended far above the tank. Very impressive performance by all concerned.  

Naturally we checked out the gift shop.  A quick drive over to a pier where the sea lions have taken over a portion of the pier for their very own.  They bark very loudly if you walk too close to “their” turf!  

Then it was time for lunch at the Harbor View Grotto.  Decisions, decisions, decisions—chowder, fish & chips, or something different???   Afterwards time to go for a scenic drive through a Redwood forest.  For the first ten minutes the only conversation was “wow”!  These giant trees are incredibly impressive.  

One newly fallen log demonstrated clearly why they have the name “red wood”.  

Lastly we visited the edge of Battery Park where you could see the lighthouse.  

You could see the road to the lighthouse as well, but as part was currently under 4 feet of surging tides, we didn’t attempt to walk over.  

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A great day! 

Submitted by:  Virginia Nehring #14