Day 13 - Done with Redwood

Date 7/2

Weather: Foggy (AM), Sunny

Expense
$62 gas
$12 dinner
$2 soda
$5 souvenir
$81for today
$678 for the trip

Mileage: 390 today, 3,138 for the trip

Beer: 0 today, 12 for the trip

Pictures: homepage.mac.com/cenya/PhotoAlbum51.html

I started touring Redwood ASAP. That means little before six. I really wanted to wrap up the travel and head into SF.

I drove Coastal Drive. There were a couple of landmarks I was supposed see. I missed both an old radar station and a destroyed bridge. I could not see anything through thick fog. It was an enjoyable drive, but the scenic parts were spoiled. That is what I get for being an early bird. In this case, early birds do not get the worms.

I then drove to Davison Road. It was unpaved like Coastal for the most part. I came a nice sandy beach area that was packed with campers. I guess people like to sleep on a beach. I kind of don’t. I dig sand between my toes, but do not like it everywhere. I was hoping to see Fern Canyon, but it was closed until later in the day. Again, the early bird, moi, was denied. I would really like to have seen Fern Canyon.

I was still more concerned with seeing Tall Trees Grove. Redwood rangers only issue forty permits a day for this place. I am still not sure why the limit, but I really wanted to see (may be for exclusivity). I went to one of the three Visitor Centers for a free permit. I was informed the normal route is flooded and I would have to take another. I was given a paper with lock combinations. After making another patch purchase, I headed out to Tall Trees Grove.

I stopped at a roadside payphone. What a find! I chatted with my sister briefly to let her know I was coming into SF that day. I thought I woke her up with the call. C’est la vie! As I drove toward Tall Trees Grove, I noticed all the great scenes of light, fog, and redwood trees. I managed to get a good picture of this combination. What sights!

I got to the access point, where I had to unlock a gate. Of course, I had a little trouble at first. I had to push the lock in and out. More unpaved road! My poor car had never seen on so much off-road action EVER. I felt more shaking as I drove to the trailhead, but there were so much to see. I was most impressed with white and purple flowers that looked like wedding bells. I regret not taking some pictures of those. Once I got to the trail, I hiked down and looked at the world’s first, third, and fifth tallest redwood trees. I did not know it at the time. Trees are amazing, but they did not present any new awesomeness since I saw them in Stout Grove. I came up to the trailhead and ate my salami and cheese sandwich again. How boring! I listened amusingly as a group of people was talking about the wildlife they might encounter.

I got in my car and drove out. I stopped at Lady Bird Johnson trail. This was my last stop at Redwood. It was a nice stroll. I enjoyed it, but was nothing too special. It did have this wooden bridge from the parking lot to the trail. Of course, I took a picture of it.

I drove on 101 to SF. It was a good drive. There are numerous vineyards. I did not stop at any of them, but they reminded me of all those pictures of European farms. Cool. When I saw Golden Gate Bridge, I knew I was there. I took an impromptu picture of it. I paid the five-dollar toll and drove into the city.

The streets were buzzing. I stuck to my sister’s direction and locating her apartment was not too bad. I had a hard time finding a parking spot, and was circling the streets for the second time when my sister appeared. My sister suggested a paid parking spot for tonight. I agreed. We took just what I needed for the night after parking.

As I walked with my sis, I could not help but notice all the smelly people. When I say smelly, I mean that lovely bouquet of sweat and urine. Welcome to a big city! I guess this is what is missing from Phoenix downtown area. While I jest, I am also amazed at the amount of people out and about unlike our downtown area. More on that later.

We chatted a little and went for Thai. Apparently, she never had been there before. Hmm, what a good idea! I had Pad Tai, which is never bad. She had some soup that was disagreeable. Too bad. It was good to see her, but we bickered a little, of course.