Redwood National Park Adventure- Day 4- March 2011

Today was the day of rain. It had been overcast and some showers, but today it poured. After an excellent breakfast we headed for the heart of the redwoods in Redwood National Park. We had planned to do Brown Creek Trail ( aptly named as the runoff today was chocolate milk color) to Rhododendron trail to South Fork trail. A total of 3.6 miles. This was a recommended loop and had some huge groves of trees.

It was simply too wet and dark to take many pictures, but seeing the trees in person is tremendous.
After we finished with the loop and we are glad we did the loop in the direction we did as coming down the South Fork Trail was very step and muddy. Instead of walking to see the corkscrew tree, we just motored down the scenic drive a mile.
The rain let up just a little to get some pictures of this huge twisted tree. (corkscrew)
It is hard to get a sense of size until you compare it to a known object ( Me!)
We stopped in at the Elk Prairie information center. Vicky needed another fleece jacket and I collected another lapel pin. We did get a good look at some of the resident Elk in the field

After drying off a bit we headed south to Eureka, CA. a college town of 20,000 known for its architecture.
We wondered around the harbor area and old downtown shops
Finally stopping to have great hot chocolate and an apple fritter at a local cafe.
It was then back the 70 miles Crescent City for a great dinner

Recommended Restaurants:

Old Town Coffee and Chocolate, Eureka, CA- on F Street- great hot chocolate and apple fritter
The Chart Room- great breakfast- right on the docks
New Harvest Cafe- surf and turf with crab legs and clam chowder
The Fisherman- late night blackberry pie and blueberry strudel layer cake
Support Our National Parks - Preserve - Protect - Enjoy