Saturday, March 22 - We are nearing the end of the road for this trip. Now in Oregon, staying at a neat park that has wild turkeys roaming around, and osprey calling to us from a nearby nest. We're across the road from the Rogue River, one of the primary spawning rivers for salmon and steelheads. And the creek not far from our front door (oops, we don't really have a 'front' door) is Indian Creek, where one of the earliest salmon hatcheries in the state is located. This is Oregon...the south coast...wild and wonderful.

Sorry, I've just been reading the terrific info booklets that Oregon produces, and I got into their presentation style. But it's time to go back, to where we've been the past few wifiless days. This is our first day in Oregon, but we finished California off in style. Alternate days of sun and rain...Tuesday and Thursday the latter...After Fort Bragg there were a lot of ups and downs along the coastal highway, but some great views of the seafront below. But we ended the day on Tuesday in Richardson Grove State Park, at the leading edge of the great Redwood Tree area. (The park is not named after me, unfortunately, but after a long-time-ago former Governor of the state...maybe someday I'll get a trestle named after me..or a storm sewer drain...or something).

The next two days had us in the biggest and best trees in the world. We did some wonderful hikes, totally captivated by the immensity of these marvels of the West Coast. They are truly awe-inspiring, and if you haven't been here, you should add it to your bucket list. I've been in some of the great cathedrals/churches/mosques/temples of the world, and nothing can compare to a walk in the midst of these giant trees. A couple of pics will hopefully demonstrate my point.

It was raining for much of our time in the forest, but that only added a special element to the experience. It's dark in there, the canopy more that 300 feet up blocking the light, but such an atmosphere. Magical. The next day, Thursday, was sunny, and we did a wonderful 2.5 miles in Humboldt State Park midst the giants. Then on to Fortuna, where we walked along the Eel River, 3rd longest in California, and then to Loleta, where there is an excellent cheese factory. Tried many, bought but two. Good cheddars. Then on to Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge for a long walk in search of new species. Not much luck, although we did see large numbers of Aleutian Geese, first cousins to our Canadas.

Next day, rain, rain, rain. We went to Eureka Mall, to get Gail's phone reconnected, as she'd lost service a few days ago. Then on to a very neat College town, Arcata, which has a great produce store that clearly caters to the new age students with their new age food ideas. Lots of organic stuff, and vegan stuff. The new world is descending upon us. Our grand-daughters have almost convinced us to convert. Not quite, but moving us closer to certainly using less meat.

We had lunch (delicious clam chowder) in the tiny coastal town of Trinidad, a former whaling center (early 1900s), fishing center, and tourist center (surfing). Then on past the Elk Pastures, where there are a couple of herds of elk near the highway, and to Klamath, where there is an excellent Native American museum combined with a very nice gift store (and outside, lifesize statues of Paul Bunyon and Babe the Ox.)

Crescent City last night, and now here beside Indian Creek.

That brings us up to date. We'll work our way along the coast, following highway 101 all the way up. We'll skip Portand and Seattle, and plan to be on Vancouver Island in about a week. There you go. Now hopefully some pics will download.

First, Gail at the Founder's Tree, more that 360 feet high; next walking the trail in the forest, feeling so small; and trying to stretch around the base of a tree that would take 10 of me. Fourth, one of many very finely constructed spider webs we saw along the way in the forest.(Small things can sometimes be almost as impressive as large things.) Fifth, our campsite, squeezed between several large redwoods. Then, one of the Kings of the Elk herd. Handsome guy, you'll agree.
Next, the Carter Mansion in Eureka, former home to one of the original lumber barons of the region, now a private exclusive club. The last three are samples of the seafront scenes we observed today here in Oregon. Lucky to be here.

We hope all are well. Only another 11 days before we fly home, and much to be done before then. So stayed tuned. More later.