Coastal Redwoods

We made it to Patrick Creek Campground in the Smith River Recreation Area. In fact, we had the same campsite Bob and I had two years ago!

Bob and I couldn’t wait to take Bobby, Cathy and the kids to see the coastal redwoods. You can explain how large they are, but until you see them, it is difficult to know just how tall the trees grow.

We stopped by the ranger station so Chris and DeAnna could get the junior ranger packets. We planned to stay two nights at Patrick Creek so they would have time to complete the packets and get their badges as we left the area.

We took them to Stout Grove which wasn’t far from the campground. There we took the short walk through the redwoods.

Chris and DeAnna were fascinated with the trees.

They thought these trees had a fight. They were also fascinated by banana slugs. We saw several and one even obliged us by eating a leaf.

From Stout Grove we drove into Crescent City, California for lunch. We stopped at Chart House Marina and had the opportunity to view sea lions on the docks outside the restaurant.

We enjoyed our meal—everyone had something from the sea—fish and chips, clam chowder, or the mariner’s platter which was a sampling of fish, scallops, and shrimp.

On our return to the campground, the kids and I walked down to the creek for a session of rock throwing.

Bob and I walked to Patrick Creek Lodge and enjoyed a Fat Tire like we did on our previous visit. We hoped to view the basketball game, but the Lodge had Dish satellite which doesn’t carry ESPN as a regular channel!

Bobby and Cathy joined us—Bobby hoping to see the game. Since it wasn’t on, we all walked back to the campground and enjoyed an evening of s’mores. DeAnna made Bobby another DeAnna special.

Saturday morning we packed our vehicles and left for the Oregon Coast.