REDWOOD COAST

JUNE 20, 2017

START:  Eureka, CA      TODAY:      232 Miles

END:     Coos Bay, OR   TOTAL:   4,699  Miles

The morning air was a cool 53 degrees with and the fog engulfed the shoreline.  First order of the day was a stop at the Visitors Center of The Redwood National Park.  Advised not to take the trailer into The Lady Bird Grove, we unhooked in the parking lot, and ventured out in the Jeep.  


This photo was taken in the parking lot before we even entered the grove – the light just happened to be just right.

It’s difficult to understand the scale of these giants, but we continued to try to express our amazement as we walked the trail.  

A good portion of the time was spent looking straight up trying to comprehend the height of each tree as it reached for the sun.

The next stop was Elk Meadow which did not disappoint, however, a good view required higher elevation since the grass was so tall.  Ron did the honors of taking photos. 

We were delayed several times again today while road crews closed lanes in order to rebuild stretches of road that had caved in or cleared rock slides.  Most of the time there was a vista we could enjoy.  We found the Tsunami warning signs entertaining as well. 

Crescent Beach was still shrouded in fog and the gale-force winds had the surf churning.

   By the time we had crossed the Oregon state line, the sun had forced its way through the fog to produce a spectacular view.  The photos can't express the experience since you can't hear the wind and the waves crashing into the rocks or feel the salt 
spray in your face.                                                                                  
 Every ten miles there was a viewing area and/or a state park in Oregon.  We stopped at so many lookout spots, we began to be concerned about how late in the day we would make camp.  Whale’s Head Point was our last stop. 

Back on the road we headed to Coos Bay to claim our site at Sunset Bay State Park.

This park deserves a week stay.  Each site is very private with six foot high flowering hedges and vegetation between sites. 

Ron and Nancy visited the camp host to purchase fire wood and eventually produced a roaring flame to combat the cool temperatures.  Zero cell service here, but we simply did not care after such a rich, rewarding day of nature. Due to the chilled air, we were required to consume hot chocolate laced with Baileys.