The Redwoods

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

 

Pretty overwhelming--These trees can grow to 360 ft, 20 ft in diameter, 

and they can live for 2000 years.  

(and very hard to get a picture that even approaches the magnitude of these trees.)

They are hardy enough to survive fire and keep on growing.

Lots of them seem to split and keep on growing.

The biggest damage we saw was from wind that uproots many of the trees.

Hopefully you can see how tall this tree was when it blew over.

Somehow, they don't look so sturdy when this happens.

 

Sitting on a felled tree between 2 uprooted trees seems like a good place 

to sit and reflect.

Oh No!

Lou must have gotten caught in the vortex of the roots.

Guess not.

Some weird growths

Perhaps called "Burl"

Interesting-for sure.

Sometimes the forest is just weird

but beautiful.

Crescent City, CA 

Lighthouse Park closed for 4th of July

Gray skies make you grateful for every spot of color.

Happy 4TH to all.

"Dismal Nitch", "Cape Disappointment", and the last days of our tour

This was the last stop before they reached the Pacific Ocean.

They thought this was the end, but the ocean was 20 miles away.

It was pretty dismal, they were stranded here for about 8 days in rough weather and heavy rain before they could move to the south side of the river with better protection and hunting for the winter.

The Chinook Indians were experts at navigating the canoes in heavy weather,

 but the Corp had many challenges.

After they camped at Dismal Nitch for 8 days, they made it to the actual "End of the Continent"(Cape Disappointment) and the beginning of the Pacific Ocean.

"Great Joy was had"

They explored the land, but sought a suitable camp on the south side of the river for the winter months.

Fort Clatsop was finished in about 8 days.  

The Corp had 33 members which stayed 3 months in a 2000 sq. ft. fort with almost constant rain and 40 degree weather.  They spent the time hunting, collecting supplies, making salt, leather moccasins ( 10/person), clothing and preparing maps and journals.

 The return trip to St. Louis took 6 months.

THE END OF THE TRAIL

 SHIPWRECK 

                                           1906

Peter Iredale - this  4 masted ship on its way to Portland in Sept. 1906 

made it to the mouth of the Columbia but with very strong winds

 it ran aground and immediately broke 3 of the 4 masts.

 27 crew and 2 stowaways were brought safely to shore.

Today it is mainly a tourist attraction.

Kites and Kids enjoying the beach.

 

                   

Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Hood

 Mt. St. Helens 

A cloudy day, but no rain.

Lou had told me that we wouldn't be able to see it - and he was right.

But we learned a lot at the Information Centers.

This is what we were supposed to see.

And this is what we did see.

This was the view that the tour saw last year.

 Also their bus broke down and they had to sit in 90* heat for 4 hrs.

I'll take the cooler weather.

This one is probably my fav--

Before, During, After.

(nice postcards!😀)

Another day, 

visit to Mt. Hood

We have been fortunate weather wise.  Forecasted rain days are cloudy, 

and others are beautiful with bright skies and few clouds.

Spring skiing? (nope, its summer) enjoyed by many.

The architecture of the Timberline Lodge emulates the slope of the mountain.

A lovely panoramic view for lunch.

And a view of Mt. Jefferson to the south.

The Cascade Range is amazing. A long line of volcanoes all the way down into California. 

The ride down the mountain is on "The Mt. Hood Fruit Loop"

The cherries are delicious as well as various ciders.

A very beautiful day indeed!