Walking (Driving) Among Giants

Despite being in the USA for over a year, I still have not completed everything on my travel list. Perhaps that is because my list was crazily ambitious, but that is beside the point. The point is that I am still determined to complete all the things on my list before I return to New Zealand. (The list is getting smaller! Whoohoo!). One of the things on the list that I really wanted to do was to see the mighty redwood forests of Northern California. And last weekend, this is exactly what I did!

The redwood forests contain the tallest trees in the entire world, the largest of which is 379 feet tall, a whole six stories larger than the Empire State Building! These huge trees dot the coastal areas surrounding Eureka and Crescent City in California. In amongst it all is a scenic drive called the 'Avenue of The Giants', a world famous 31 mile road that meanders right through these gigantic trees. I was so keen to do this trip, all I needed was a free weekend and a couple of friends crazy enough to do the 1500 mile (2400km) trip in 48 hours! 

Finally I found my opportunity, and I leapt at it with both hands! I found some friends to come with me and off we went on a Friday night. We drove all night and arrived in California at 8.30 in the morning.

Welcome to CALIFORNIA!!

The beautiful and rugged west coast, all misty and bleak

Strange roadside attractions

Doing what I love: roadtripping with good friends, good music and good scenery!! My idea of heaven :)

We passed through the small town of Klamath where I had heard there was a tree large enough that you could actually drive a car through it, and for a large tourist-hiked price, we took that opportunity!

Driving through a tree!!!

Tourists :)

We continued South down the famous 101 highway towards Eureka. On the way we stopped at a few small coastal communities and were awed by the magnificent views of the coastline.

Misty but still so fiercely beautiful!

ta-da!

Small fishing towns

We got to Eureka right on lunchtime (how perfect! did I plan that? why yes, of course I did!). Eureka was a gorgeous little place. The waterfront part of it had lots of charming Victorian buildings and houses.

We stopped for lunch in a small cafe, tucked away off the main road - we were recommended by some locals. It was great! I always love getting recommendations from locals!

After our meal we continued down the highway towards the Avenue of the Giants. We were in for an amazing ride!! These photos do not do ANY justice to what we saw, what we experienced. My neck was in such pain from craning up to behold the full height of the trees.

I think the most amazing thing was that the road ran right through the forest, these massive trees were right up to the roadside! It was incredible, truly incredible.

Trees so big you can climb inside!

Wow

Does not do it justice!!!

We finished the wonderful road and began our trek back North. We stopped at a rest stop just north of the Oregon border and slept in my comfy Stallion. 

The next morning we were driving through Oregon and it was fabulous sunshine all day, we all felt amazing!! We stopped in Eugene, Oregon for some sightseeing and lunch. We tasted some famous Voodoo donuts, which are pretty much the craziest donuts I've ever seen

Bacon on a donut????

We took a selection of donuts (not the bacon one thank you, I have class!) and we headed to a local market where we got some delicious soup and salad. We sat outside and basked in the sun, eating and relaxing. It reminded me of great times in New Zealand, eating lunch in the sun. It was always one of my favourite things to do - enjoy a lovely cafe meal in the sun! And the best part is that we were not in a rush to leave! There was no time limit!! We sat there for a loooong time and it was fabulous to not have to look at our watches!! As au pairs we are always running to time limits, always in a rush. It was absolute luxury to eat slowly and sit down and just chat.

Sunny and happy!!

It was the perfect end to our roadtrip. From Eugene it was 4 and a 1/2 hours back to Seattle. We got back, exhausted but so happy. I slept well that night! What a fabulous weekend, I love taking opportunities!!