Big Hugs for Big Trees

Tree hugging a giant coastal redwood

Whale watching on the Pacific Coast

A WHALE!!!!!!

Exploring Stout Grove - a section of old growth coastal redwoods

The Pacific Coast sand

On Wednesday we arrived at Jedediah Smith State Park  - part of the Redwood National Forest.   We set up camp beneath the gigantic coastal redwood trees and made our way to the ranger station to learn about the park.  We were greeted by an awesome older gentleman who was more than happy to tell us about the plethora of adventures available in the area.  We were eager listeners.  It was late afternoon, but we just had to explore a little bit.  We headed down a dirt road to Stout Grove – an area of old growth coastal redwoods.  Jake insists that I mention that Stout Grove is where they filmed the Ewok portion of Return of the Jedi.  We were surrounded by the biggest trees we’ve ever seen.  My dad often jokingly calls me a tree-hugger because of my “save the world” mentality.  But this place really does make you want to hug some trees!   They are just so amazing.  So in the grove we explored, hugged trees, and chatted about how incredibly fortunate we are to be on this journey together.  Dad and Tom Biggs…I’m sure you’ll have a field day with the tree hugging. J  I’ll even post a picture for you.  We returned to camp and attended an evening event entitled “campfire with a ranger”.  The ranger, Adam, was so knowledgeable, funny, and entertaining.  He did a presentation on the history of and wildlife in the Redwood Forest.  We both learned a lot.  The next day we woke up early so excited to explore.  We drove south on route 101 and made a stop to dig our toes in the sand on the Pacific coast.  It was really cool to touch the other coast!  It was so different – cold, rough water and black sand.  We continued further south to Lady Bird Grove – a great hike through old growth coastal redwoods and a spot that was dedicated in Lady Bird Johnson’s honor because of her love for the outdoors and the Redwood Forest.  We also made a stop at the 14^th largest coastal redwood tree appropriately but dully named “Big Tree”.  When we arrived at its base it was anything but dull – estimated 1500 years old, 304 feet tall, 68 feet in circumference.  Sometimes when Tillie is too lazy to turn around to look at me she looks straight up and backwards to the point where she almost tips over.  This happened to me when I looked up at Big Tree.  We headed back north towards Crescent City, CA to take another peek at the Pacific Ocean.  We drove to a spot recommended by the kind park ranger called Klamath Overlook.  When we arrived we could not believe our eyes – there were so many gray whales in the water!  We had to get a closer look so we took a ½ mile hike labeled “strenuous” to another lookout.  It felt like it went straight downhill – not strenuous at all until Jake reminded me that we would have to go uphill to get back…haha.  It was well worth the trip.  We spent an hour at this little overlook just above the Pacific Ocean at the mouth of the Klamath River watching seals and whales (including a mother and young).  It was beyond exciting and it made my day.  We drove through Crescent City just to see a spot where the ranger told us sea lions like to hang out.  We enjoyed watching them from the edge of the harbor.  It was a day filled with lots of new experiences and we enjoyed every second of it.  We hope all is well where you are.