Redwoods

Over Memorial Day weekend Scott B., Derrick, Bonni, and I went to Redwoods National and State Forest. The drive took us 9 hrs and thankfully it was beautiful the whole way. I especially enjoyed the scenery from Susanville to Eureka via HWY 36 and then HWY 44. Many beautiful towns nestled within breathtaking pine forest. We stopped in Shingletown, CA and ate a wonderful Mexican restaurant called The Shingle Shack. I was very surprised to see a picture of the 4 person staff (family who runs it) and Clint Eastwood hanging on the wall. Mr. Eastwood has some pretty damn good tastes. After lunch, we continued our drive and finally met up with Scott's friends, Jim and Sarah, at the campsite. The first campsite Jim and Sarah chose required a permit (which we did not have) and they were forced to find another. Thankfully, the ranger who kicked them out of the campsite was nice and recommended another campsite. The second campsite is where we met up with them. The campsite we stayed at is called Flint Ridge Campground. We had to hike in 1/4mile to get to the campsite but, the campground is  one of the most beautiful campsites I have been too so it was worth the small walk. Our campsite had an outhouse, ideal location to the Pacific Ocean (1/4mile away), bear cages, and a nice fire pit. Not to mentioned we were right next to Redwood trees and the ocean sound was my lullaby every night. Oh and  how can I forget sunsets on the beach every night? On the first day we got ourselves situated and enjoyed some beers.

Sunset on the bluff.

Bonni enjoying the sunset

Made me feel like I was camping back in WI.

The next morning we headed off to find a visitor center and plan day. We ended up at the Crescent City, CA visitor center and talked with a very nice woman about the best places around Crescent City. She recommended that we go to Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park and go to the Stout Grove. Stout Grove has a few of the largest Redwoods. However, they do not tell you which ones are the oldest for fear of vandalism and other human harm. We enjoyed the popular walk and then went on the Boy Scout Trail to see a waterfall and the Boy Scout Tree (which is a gigantic tree). After that we headed back to the campsite to have some beer and watch the sunset on the beach. 

Redwood, so big.

This is one of my more favorite pictures.

I like this, but not as much as my edited one. What you think?

Derrick with his Coors. Like a boss.

Sunset day 2

Sunset day 2

I really like this one too. I think I'm in love with whole set.

This picture is missing Cathleen in it.

Our lovely beers before the beach.

Moss on Boy Scout Tree

Gnomes in the trees!

New growth on a fallen Redwood

Bark of a Redwood 

The next day we said good-bye to Jim and Sarah and the CLM crew headed to Prairie Creek Redwood State Park. There we went on a 7 or 8 mile loop hike through the Redwoods. It was a fantastic hike and def. recommend it to anyone that is going there. I'll describe it in pictures

 

Jim and Sarah.

An awesome shot of Derrick taken by B-ratiuk.

The tree fell apart to the left and starting to grow again on the right. Crazy,