Day 16

On our last day in the Redwoods we made our third attempt to view the Roosevelt Elk and as we approached the Elk Meadow area there were cars parked along the road so we stopped and did see three elk, two male and one female. These elk are much smaller than others we have seen in other states and the grass was high which made it difficult to see them. All the folks from our club decided to go to the wharf for dinner and on the way back I took a few more ocean photos near sunset.

Day 15

Today our adventure took us to the Lady Bird Johnson Grove, The Redwood National Park and three state parks were formed in 1968 by President Nixon and Governor Reagan. This grove was dedicated to Lady Bird Johnson in 1969. This was a beautiful one mile loop trail through old and new growth redwoods.  We then drove along the coast on another narrow gravel road for eight miles to Fern Canyon. This was a WOW sight, with fifty foot walls of ferns and mosses along Home Creek with seasonal bridges. A portion of Jurassic Park 2 was filmed here.

This redwood is still alive and growing!

Fern Canyon 

Day 14

Our first day in the Redwood National and State Parks started out with a drive along the coast that took us to a narrow gravel road through old growth redwoods in the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. This road wound its way through the massive trees to Stout Grove where we took a hike among these majestic trees. This drive and hike proved to be the most challenging and wonderful part of our Redwood visit. Then we went into Crescent City to see the Battery Point Light House.

Day 13

We drove the most winding and hilly road ever with towing the trailer. It was a challenging and yet beautiful drive and soon after we reached US HYY 101 there was the Pacific Ocean and soon we were driving through a part of the redwood forest. We reached our destination in Klamath, CA and had to change a tire on the trailer because one of the wheels had a crack in two of the spokes. One of the great things about the Cardinal RV Club is the willingness of the members to help each other in time of need. Don and Dennis changed the tire/wheel for us, so I would not have to lift. Some of the club members provided grilled salmon and others brought side dishes, MMM Good.  Internet is poor here so posting has been delayed.

Day 12

This morning we drove to the Lassen Volcanic National Park and took the Bumpass-Hell Trail, 2.6 round trip trail from 8,200 ft over the 8,400 ft pass to the hydrothermal area at 8,200 ft. It was a cool 48° windy and overcast with spots of occasional sun. This was a neat area to visit as it was like a mini Yellowstone and a very well done boardwalk. Just as we got back to the truck it started to rain a little and the rest of the drive through the park was overcast so not many pictures after the trail. We did see a mother deer and two young fawns cross the road. Back at camp it was 80° and sunny.

Day11

Wow it was 47 this morning, turned the heat pump on and had the fireplace going which will keep the living area warm and the heat pump off. We drove 255 miles today to Red Bluff, CA and got 12 MPG and that will help with the total trip but to be real, 155 of the miles were down 5% and 6% grades. We went to a Wal-Mart to pick up some groceries but this one must have been one of the first stores, old shelving and no cold food or produce. We did find a good market across the street. Tomorrow we visit the Lassen Volcanic National Park. 

Day 10

With a short drive of 180 miles, we did laundry after breakfast, went for our 30 minute walk and headed for Verdi, NV. Nice drive with a 70s sunny day. As we were setting up the wind picked up and began blowing and raining so we hopped into the truck and took a side trip to Cabela’s then back to the trailer for dinner.