Tree Hugging Day

Today we are driving down U.S.101 through the Humboldt Redwood State Park. We have taken the scenic byway, which winds for 31 miles through some of the biggest Redwood trees. Words and photos cannot express the feelings as we walk among the silent giants. On our first stop we just sat and listened to the silence, then we picked out a slight pitter patter, even though the sun was shining under the forest canopy is was gently raining, I don't know if it was condensation, or droplets falling from the branches, but it was very strange. We made many stops to look at some of the larger trees. Most interesting was the visitor's Center which had a National Geographic film about the Redwoods and climbing them to find the highest (379ft) and study the topmost branches, which have their own ecosystem with soil, flowers, ferns, small trees and animals, some of which never leave the tree they live in. Fascinating. It also described the 'Tree Wars of the nineties when protesters managed to stop the logging of the last of the Old Growth Redwoods (up to 2000 years old), enabling us to continue to enjoy these amazing trees. We also visited the third largest of these trees and were distinctly impressed by its size.
Tonight we have stopped at Standish Hickey State Park. Even on a Friday night it is completely empty, we are alone in the woods with the bears and things. One good feature is that because there is no Camp Host we have nabbed the Camp Host spot, which means we have full Hook Up! and can keep warm using their electricity. We are not surprised that the park is empty as they charge $35 per night for very small sites and no facilities.