From Sacramento we made our way to the impressive Redwood forest. We stayed slightly north of Trinidad CA, on Highway 101. There is much to see here.
Trinidad is a small town blessed with a spectacular view of the Pacific.
Click on thumbnail to see larger size pictures
View of the Pacific ocea from Trinidad
We had lunch in a little restaurant right on the beach, where a Seal was sunbathing.
Sunbathing beauty 😉
Trinidad also boast the shortest lightouse we have ever seen!
Short Lighthouse of Trinidad CA
In contrast to the short lighthouse, we saw the tallest and biggest trees we’d ever seen!
Bear next to the trunk of a Redwood tree
It was hard to photograph the top of the trees.
The height of the trees, combined with the fact that they were backlit made it almost impossible to photograph the top.
Redwood trees can measure 370 feet tall. This would make the statue of Liberty look dwarfed (240 feet tall). Surprisingly though, for their size, their root system is extremely shallow, going down only 10 to 12 feet deep, but spreading 100’s feet wide and entangling with neighbor trees, which provide reinforcement against winds and winter storms. Redwood Trees can live for thousands of years.
Redwood trees are resistant to fire, insects, disease and fugi.
This still thriving giant tree bears a giant scar carved by a fire.
Shaded by the Redwoods,  grow ten-foot high Rhododendrons, azalea, huckleberry and salmonberry brushes. Sword ferns grow as tall as a person.
Blooming Rhododendron
Fallen trees provide food for new plant life, it is the ultimate recycling.
Tree taking root and growing on top of a fallen Redwood tree
chicken wanted to check his size against a Redwood tree...
Life abounds in the cool humid forest
Jay bird
What! Another tourist who wants my picture, can't you see I am eating dinner now! Tourists have no manners I tell you...
A herd of female Rosevelt Elks protecting their newborn calves
At the end of the day, we went to the beach to see the sunset.
We saw whales, Â on their long trip to Alaska
The best picture I could get of 2 whales
It was an exciting finish to a wonderful day
June 9th, 2009 at 10:29 PM
These are fantastic pictures love all of them. The whales are pretty and the sunset was out of this world. Michele you do a terrific job with that camera. I’d say you are pretty good at everything you do. How’s the knitting? I’ve been doing a lot of quilting lately waiting for you to come home and show me how to do it the right way.
June 10th, 2009 at 7:40 AM
So Beautiful. I don’t think that I have ever seen a jay-bird. What beautiful color.
Perhaps you will catch up with the whales in Alaska and they will pose better for you!
I am awestruck by the trees. It is impossible to imagine them, really. I suppose that one really has to see them to believe it. Unfortunately, the only thing that will TRULY destroy them all is mankind’s stupidity.
Thank you for these pictures.
I miss you!
Squeeze Bear and Chicken for me!
June 10th, 2009 at 4:15 PM
whoa! this stuff is amazing! i’m loving following your blog. you do a such a great job of documenting. the views are spectacular & your commentary is entertaining, personal & informative. thank you for taking time to do this. i’m looking forward to meeting up with you & bear in Portland! x o x o