We made our last visit to the redwoods in Humboldt State Park. The scent of evergreens permeates these forests. Redwoods are not just big and old, they're almost impervious to fire damage. Fires in redwood forests burn the undergrowth and char the larger redwoods, but rarely destroy them. A tree can be gutted by fire and not only survive, but reproduce.
These giants may survive fire, but might not survive strong storms. The Dyerville Giant, one of the largest redwoods on record, was uprooted in a storm in the early 1990s. When it fell, its impact registered on seismographs.
We drove south on Highway 101 and entered Route 1, the Pacific Coast Highway. Others have said that Route 1 offers scenic riches in return for the knuckle-whitening aspects of negotiating this narrow highway with cliff-hugging, hair-pin turns. Those of us with vertigo found it, um, challenging.
We arrived at Fort Bragg, where we stopped at the public library...
...and ended our day at the beach.
Spectacular photos and experiences! Highway 1 will be full of postcard besting scenery. And driver.....keep your eyes on the road! ;-)
ReplyDeleteSafe journeys to you.
J & C
Thinking of you two as we travel your former home state. And yes, both driver and passenger keep eyes on the road--to avoid getting dizzy. We wouldn't see any of the spectacular scenery if it weren't for the great pullouts and overlooks where one can stop and stand on terra firma to enjoy the view.
DeleteThanks for the marvelous photos of redwoods, rocks, waves, beaches, and, especially, libraries. Those giant trees are awesome! And the libraries are part of that cycle, although I don't think any redwoods wind up on the shelves. That experience is for lesser trees. I hope the weather is being kind to you and the temperature is inching up.
ReplyDelete"Awesome" is indeed the word that came to mind again and again in the redwood forests. And yes, we have left the typhoon and freezing temps up north and are finally experiencing the "warm California sun."
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