California Day 5 - Our tree day, Crystal among her people!

We started our 'Tree Day' rather slow.  We bought coffee and a crossant from the grumpy coffee nazi downstairs and enjoyed our breakfast while the sun came up.

We loaded our car and made our way away from the coast and into the 'giants'. 

Unfortunately, we followed the google GPS.  She's very eager to get us there faster and we haven't found the 'scenic route' mode! :)  We stopped at the first sign for 'Avenue of the Giants' and I got out to check it out.  Another car with two guys pulled in right after us.  They were clearly lost and had many questions.  I told them the Avenue of Giants runs next to the 101 and they need to get off and drive north on the Avenue.  Dude's response, thanks!  'Do you work here?'.  

Do I work here?  "HERE"?  Like this scenic sign?  No... I work for Dell.  What sign do you work at? 

We checked into the cabin, which was a cutie little place with a small kitchen and a fireplace in the bedroom.  After getting supplies across the street from the local farmer's market and country store we had a quick lunch.  

We drove all the way along the avenue of the Giants.  We  our car through a tree!  Props to my car for being small and having many cameras and sensors!  I can't imagine driving through without them, it was a tight fit!

We stopped several times and got out to walk between the trees.  We saw the founders tree, the immortal tree, the rockafeller tree and many other very trees that haven't earned names yet.  Crystal balanced along one large tree over a gulch for a picture.  I was not feeling brave so no  balance pics for me!  

Crystal:  It was a very rewarding day.  I have never been among the trees like this before, complely surrounded by ancients  giants, disconnected from the outside world. I have always felt a special connection with nature.  Being in this forest was surreal. 

Lynn:  The first time I saw the redwoods it was in more of a hurry, so I was glad to have a whole day to enjoy this magical place.  I loved all of the ferns and vegitation.  Gravity did not matter to this bunch as they would grow in any direction and over every crevice so all was green and beautiful.  

We also drove through the Humbolt state park along Mattatole road, almost all the way to the coast again!

In started getting a bit dark on the way back and we actually saw possums in the road!  It was dark by the time we made our way back to the cabin where I made avocado and turkey grilled cheese.  We sipped wine and watched the trees until we were ready to fall asleep.