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Redwood National Park and State Parks: Spring Break 2021...part 2

We made plans to visit the Redwoods over spring break :)
 I felt like we needed to be in the woods, especially for mister Chester.
It proved to be a refreshing time with sunshine in a place 
where the rain likes to fall.


Our first day we drove up and through the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt State Park...I didn't anticipate hiking but my sandals did okay for a walk to stretch out, haha.
It is an extraordinary experience to be so small and so young among these trees. 
They are beautiful giants!


The national parks have joined the state parks to help protect these beauties and share them carefully with the public.


By sunset we were in Trinidad, CA where I ordered pizza and we took off for Patrick's Point State Park to watch the sun dip below the horizon :)





I booked a night at a mixed use RV and Cabin plus camping site.
 It was cute and clean and I was shocked at how quiet everyone was at night.
 No dumb city people here making noise in nature.
 Hooray!
some blooms around the area 




Chester immediately running out into the camp sites that are unused due to Covid and playing sword fights with imaginary foes :)

The next day we began our trek into Prairie Creek State Park. 
Lots of trees and to our surprise, lots of elk :) 
I was usually driving when we came upon them too, so no photos!

Big Tree
(that's its name)

creeks make us all pretty happy

lots of stone throwing, skipping rocks (Chet is especially good at that) and racing boats (sticks) down the water :)

these 2 are my favorite photos of the trip
she looks happy in nature and I loved capturing her contemplate in it as well


The juxtaposition of tiny fresh spring flowers at the bottom of trees that are hundreds of years old caught my attention. 
Our world is truly just magnificent :)

11 year old boy
1,000 year old tree


Lunch in the meadow while Henry and Audrey make daisy chains :)


Back on the road to our next stop,  Trees of Mystery. 
The kitsch was strong at this tourist trap but only enough to document!
Just a photo and back on the road. 





I kept taking pictures and then realized, the scope and
 feeling of this place cannot be captured. 
You really have to just come here and breathe it in. 
We came at a perfect time. 
The summer crowds have not begun and the air was cool and sweet smelling. 
I kept thinking how much Clay would have liked it. 





The 2nd night we stayed at an amazing little cabin near the Jedediah State Park just east of Crescent City and 18 miles south of the Oregon border. 
I absolutely loved this park and the Smith River.
 We found out the Smith River is the only undammed river in California!

more Chet playing in the woods



There are a lot of swimming holes in the Smith River which makes me think we should come up here one summer!

photographing a picture taking Audrey :)

that color!


Glamping :)

The only complaint was I didn't stay longer for the amount of time we drove here and back.
 Springtime means construction time on the road.
 So here are some views while stopped for an hour here and there...

lunchtime stop





Hopland, CA and an amazing antique place :)


As the kids get older and we are minus one big sister, I am glad I made the effort to do these trips.
 I get to be "fun mom" and enjoy their personalities and see fun places and play cards and make picnic lunches and hear, "thank you mom" a lot :)
I wish we had one more night in this place. 
I wish we had had a whole week of this place!

Redwood National Parks...done!






 

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