Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park

Sept. 2 & 3, 2010 - From Gold Beach, OR, we cross the border to California!  We drive a leisurely 54 miles (a walk in the park from our 400 plus miles of previous days) on the 101 to Crescent City, then another 9 miles on the 199 to the Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park.  The weather once stepping into Califonia was beautiful.  Clear skies, warm and great for camping.  We spend 2 nights in the old growth Redwood forest, shaded from the heat by towering coniferous trees.  Our hikes through the old growth forests took us back through time with Redwood trees older than 1,000 years and soaring well over 300 feet.  There's nothing like the coastal Redwoods of California.

Sept 4 & 5, 2010 - After our awesome stay in the Redwoods, we take our time and drive 96 miles on the magnificent coastline to Eureka for an overnight stop.  On our way out, we took a scenic drive through Avenue of the Giants and had Pearl roll through the most striking vistas in shaded groves.

 Pearl at camp.

 A shaded tent.

 Crossing a suspended bridge on the last major free flowing river in California, the Smith River.

 Smith River

 Massive Redwoods.

Charlie dwarfed by a Redwood blow-down.

Another massive Redwood.

Pearl poses in front of a grove trail.

Last day driving through the large groves.

Pearl drives through the Redwoods off of Avenue of the Giants.