On our second day in Crescent City we rode over to the Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park. While in the Visitors Center there was a display of about 8 different pine cones. Here I am holding the Sugar Pine cone on the left, the Giant Sequoia cone in the middle(which you can barely see) and a Redwood cone on the right.
Here are some facts on the Sequoia and Redwood trees. Note the weight difference between the trees. Even though the Redwood is taller by 75 feet it’s the diameter that gives the Sequoia a huge difference.
The two green trees on either side of the grey building were planted at the same time. The Redwood is on the left and the Sequoia is on the right. The Redwood grows much faster than the Sequoia, but then the Sequoia prefers the higher elevation and dryer climate away from the coast.
From the visitors center we went to the Stout Memorial Grove. Along the way you have to pass through this short covered bridge and drive along the Smith River.
To us, the Stout Memorial Grove is the best redwood viewing of all the redwood forest we’ve been through.
OK, Joe, Dale and Jeff, (these are the guys with whom I’m coming back out here on an August motorcycle trip) you need to start exercising you neck muscles by tucking your chin to your chest, then slowly raise your head to look at the sky. Do ten repetitions a day, as this will allow you to look to the top of these tall trees without falling over backwards.
Here Sandy is standing by some gnarly burls that grow around some of the redwoods.
It’s not unusual to see jumbled stacks of fallen trees. It can be dangerous walking in the redwood forest in extremely high windy conditions.
Hurry up Sandy, I can’t hold it up much longer.
This is for our friend Jane. In June/July of 2007 we, traveled with Jane and Ron on Hwy 101 from Crescent City, CA through Oregon to the top of Washington. Along the way we stopped at every lighthouse. For some reason Jane missed this one on her itinerary.
Until next time,
Dave and Sandy.
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