Travel days are meant to be short – that is fewer miles – so there can be many stops along the way. As one never knows what might be found in the journey?!?

This particular day the drive was 114 miles from Redcrest to Klamath, CA. Maybe 2.5 hours – UNLESS one gets sidetracked. Like at Big Lagoon County Park – about lunch time. This is a great day-use area with an excellent view while eating lunch and a great beach for agate hunting. Take advantage of it all;-)

The 114 miles were finally covered and one of our favorite RV parks – Klamath River RV Park – had welcomed us and provided our spots right on the river. A perfect home base for the next three days;-)

The Redwood NP and State Parks represent a rare cooperative management effort of the National Park Service and the California Department of Parks and Recreation that includes Redwood NP and 3 Redwood State Parks. Together these parks are a World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve that protect cherished resources. These parks, just as those a little to the south, house the world’s tallest living tree and a living link to the Age of the Dinosaurs. It is amazing that these ‘beings’ grow to ages of 2,000 years, weighing up to 500 tons, standing taller than the Statue of Liberty – and all from a seed the size of a tomato seed.

A favorite (and must do) drive is the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, which is an eight-mile stretch of the original Redwood Highway. It provides one of the parks’ most scenic drives through old-growth redwood forest and Elk Prairie. While the parks house an abundant diversity of wildlife, the Roosevelt elk is a dominate sight especially at – Elk Prairie. They are the parks largest land mammal, sometimes exceeding 1,000 pounds. This morning they provided great entertainment.

Since our RV Park was on the Klamath River just where it met the ocean, we found that a short walk took us to the beach and a feeding ground for the seals. This afternoon it was just about dinner time (after a nap) – –

Many fantastic hikes can be had in this area. The Tall Trees Hike is a favorite, but now one must get a reservation to enjoy this area (this can be done online). Unfortunately, this was news to us – so an alternative had to be found. A perfect suggestion was provided by the friendly rangers at the Visitor Center at Elk Prairie – the Prairie Creek Trail to the Cathedral Trees Trail. This trail was fabulous and is now our No. 1 fav! See for yourself – –

The Trees of Mystery were more up the girls’ alley than the grandparents hikes, at this point. So – off to some fun and adventure. Paul Bunyan and Babe greet you and entice you to walk into this grove of redwoods, across hanging bridges and up to the top of the mountain in a tram for far-reaching views. Even those a little faint of heart at heights braved the trek;-)

Another three days and another NP for the granddaughters;-) Sadly, it is time to leave the mighty Redwoods and all their majesty – but, sand dunes are calling.

E & G – onward and northward