Day 1 --- Home to Tahoe
We left on a Monday morning and it took us all day (9 hours, 10 hours with rest stops) to make it to our first stopping point, Lake Tahoe.
One of our rest stops was in Tonopah, NV, a pretty ghetto place. We found one city park on Google and went there so that we could make sandwiches for lunch and let the girls run around. The bathrooms were all locked up and there was nothing but a few dirty picnic benches, not even a playground.
One of our rest stops was in Tonopah, NV, a pretty ghetto place. We found one city park on Google and went there so that we could make sandwiches for lunch and let the girls run around. The bathrooms were all locked up and there was nothing but a few dirty picnic benches, not even a playground.
On the way out of town we spotted the Clown Motel and HAD to stop to check it out. It was creepy, smelled strange inside, and there was a historic cemetary right next door with headstones that reported murder, plague, and mine fire victims, as well as many unmarked graves.
As we were nearing the climb up to Lake Tahoe, we passed a really pretty lake called Lake Walker. There were signs all along the highway saying "Save Lake Walker." We wondered what they were all about.
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| You drive across flat desert for hours and then....climb up a sudden mountain to Tahoe |
Artemis was very good but took a long time and it was nearly 7pm by the time we left the restaurant. We were feeling anxious to secure a campsite since we hadn't been able to book online due to the CA Reservations system being down. We were hoping to get a spot at D.L. Bliss State Park or Eagle Point. Eagle Point was closest and so we checked there first.
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| Along the road to Eagle Point Campground |
After setting up we hauled our toiletries to the showers but found out that they take TOKENS instead of quarters (which are conveniently only sold by the booth that closes at 7pm) so we had to wait until the booth opened at 9 am the next morning to buy tokens for a shower (weird).
Day 2 --- Explore Tahoe
We ate a quick breakfast and then, still needing to work the kinks out of our legs, drove up to Eagle Falls to check it out.
The parking lot was surprisingly full by 8 am. The falls were neat but since you view them standing at the top, not really something you can view very well; they're better seen from farther up the highway.
There were hiking trails in the area so we took a short 1/2 mile walk along the Eagle Lake Trail. It was heating up quickly so we didn't make it to the lake but the trail was pretty with a waterfall and bridge. It was a pretty busy trail, lots of hikers going in.
We started to get hungry again and wanted that shower that we had missed the night before so we headed back to the car. The girls were also begging to go to play on the lake beach. We took a quick drive through D.L. Bliss State Park to see the beach and campgrounds but the beaches and parking lots were already full.
We returned back to our camp, showered, packed up, and drove to a few beaches, scouting out car lines at the entry booths (this was a Tuesday mind you). We finally found one with no line and easy parking, Waterfront Park, but there wasn't a beach. The girls played on the playground there for a few minutes.
They were STILL begging to play in the water so we toughed out the long car lines to get into Pope Beach. The nice lady at the booth gave us a tip to go all the way to the back of the parking lot and gain beach access there; less competition and close to the treeline. It was a little less crowded toward the back but still pretty packed!
We spent the next 3 hours or so chasing ducks, swimming, and feeding the Canadian Geese. Needless to say, they were all VERY happy!
The parking lot was surprisingly full by 8 am. The falls were neat but since you view them standing at the top, not really something you can view very well; they're better seen from farther up the highway.
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| Jocelyn wanted to stop for a photo |
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| Emerald Bay |
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| Eagle Falls from the top |
There were hiking trails in the area so we took a short 1/2 mile walk along the Eagle Lake Trail. It was heating up quickly so we didn't make it to the lake but the trail was pretty with a waterfall and bridge. It was a pretty busy trail, lots of hikers going in.
We started to get hungry again and wanted that shower that we had missed the night before so we headed back to the car. The girls were also begging to go to play on the lake beach. We took a quick drive through D.L. Bliss State Park to see the beach and campgrounds but the beaches and parking lots were already full.
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| D.L. Bliss overlook |
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| No beach - boohoo |
They were STILL begging to play in the water so we toughed out the long car lines to get into Pope Beach. The nice lady at the booth gave us a tip to go all the way to the back of the parking lot and gain beach access there; less competition and close to the treeline. It was a little less crowded toward the back but still pretty packed!
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| Pope Beach |
Tahoe was experiencing a heatwave; the whole of northern California was in fact, and it was toasty hot at 91 degrees! The water was cold and so we enjoyed our time there. We noticed that the girls were not timid about getting in the water and actually swimming. Maybe the practice in their pool at home has improved their swimming confidence!
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| Sandy churros! |
By late afternoon we were all worn out and since we still had to drive 3 hours to our hotel in Vacaville, we brushed off the sand and headed to the highway. Side note: our Amex rewards points had bought our Vacaville hotel room, chaching! We picked Vacaville because it was a good halfway point between Tahoe and San Fran and the hotel was much cheaper than one in San Fran would have been! When we arrived we were all pretty sunburned and some of had started developing a cold; stuffy noses and congested heads. We dinnered at Chipotle, bought a couple of donuts at Krispy Kreme, and returned to the room, pretty exhausted and not feeling too great.
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| Pink cheeks and donuts |
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| Taking it easy on a real bed |
Millie was up in the middle of the night crying with ear pain. Dad ran around the city looking for cold medicine and by the time he got back with three different kinds, she was asleep.
Day 3 --- Explore San Francisco
We woke up feeling a little better. The girls were ECSTATIC about the hotel breakfast. It's one of the things they look forward to the most when we are vacationing, "Mom, are we going to get to eat breakfast at the hotel?" Jocelyn was in second heaven when she discovered how to make pancakes with the pancake machine.
Our plan for the third day included driving the one hour from Vacaville to San Francisco, and then spend the day in San Francisco visiting Chinatown, Golden Gate Bridge Park and the Pier/Fishermans Wharf. After dinner we'd drive another hour north of San Fran to camp in a site we'd already reserved at China Camp State Park.
Our plan for the third day included driving the one hour from Vacaville to San Francisco, and then spend the day in San Francisco visiting Chinatown, Golden Gate Bridge Park and the Pier/Fishermans Wharf. After dinner we'd drive another hour north of San Fran to camp in a site we'd already reserved at China Camp State Park.
We made our way into San Francisco; it took a long time to get into the city with toll roads, traffic, and backed up bridges. We headed right toward Chinatown and found a parking garage that could fit our "over-sized vehicle" (our forerunner with the hitch luggage carrier attached to the back) for $3.50 an hour. Chinatown was a short walk away and we entered at the "Dragon Gate" entrance.
They were fascinated by the numerous glass shops and the statues for sale lining the sidewalks. Of course they wanted to stop at every store but seemed most interested in the jewelry stores.
We spent a half hour in a jewelry shop that was chock full of pearl necklaces, jade pendants, stone bracelets, cloisonne barrettes, and all sorts of other beaded accessories.
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| Speak no evil, see no evil, hear no evil |
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| Ivy dreaming about Sunny the bird |
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| I'd like one of everything |
Another shop held chinese brocade shoes, dresses, paper dragon heads, and bracelets with beads that encased baby seahorses, beetles, spider, scorpions, and butterflies. It was here they bought chopstick trainers.
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| Chinese bakery |
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| She's a rice girl |
Our next stop was the Pier but, driving by, we noticed that there were really a lot of people, it looked like mostly restaurants and gift shops. Adding that to the heat and lack of parking, we elected to stop at Crissy Park where Mom suddenly needed to lay down on the grass and rest due to a fever from the cold hitting hard. Dad and the girls watched the kite surfers and the girls ran around on the grass.
Once we rested we drove toward the bridge but it also was packed with people and no parking. We, instead, drove over the bridge and headed north toward our next destination.
Sorry San Francisco! Next time!
Before reaching our next camp we grabbed a bite of dinner at Boudin, a sandwich shop highlighting the famous San Fran sourdough. The guy at the counter gave the kids each a cute sourdough fishy and they chewed on that while waiting for dinner. Jocelyn even kept her leftovers safe in a bag until breakfast.
We arrived at our next campsite, China Camp State Park. China Camp was along a marshy bay with some dry rolling hills, popular with mountain bikers. It wasn't lush but it was pretty in it's own way, with interesting trees and terrain.
Day 4 - Head North up the 101
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| A view from our camp |
As we pulled into the parking lot, we realized that it was a hike-in site. Oh no! Even Dad was starting to feel the cold hit him hard and both Mom and Dad really needed to rest. Luckily it was a short hike in and so we hiked all of our camping gear up a hill and to our site. It was very peaceful and quiet once we were settled in.
The girls met a nice little boy named Kai from Oakland who was camping with his Dad just overnight. They played with him and had a lot of fun running around in the trees. It was a little cooler this night and that helped our colds and heads.
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| Jocelyn and Kai |
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| Wiped out |
Day 4 - Head North up the 101
Ivy was up at the crack of dawn, as usual, so her and Mom took a walk over a bridge, through the trees and found some interesting hollow ones with strange windows and arms. No one was awake and it was a peaceful walk together.
Once back to camp the others were waking up so we had some oatmeal and yogurt and packed it back up. Jocelyn and Mom took a walk while Dad was packing and found some interesting trees as well.
Jocelyn was really sad to leave her friend and he was sad also so we got his dad's business card so we could send our address and they could write.
On the road again we drove north along 101 through miles and miles of grape farms and wineries.
We stopped in Forestville for some brunch and then we stopped again when we saw blackberry thickets along the ditches that were covered with bursting ripe berries. We picked a bunch and ate them but couldn't take any with us; they were so ripe they were squishing into juice when we tried putting them into a bag.
Jocelyn was really sad to leave her friend and he was sad also so we got his dad's business card so we could send our address and they could write.
On the road again we drove north along 101 through miles and miles of grape farms and wineries.
We stopped in Forestville for some brunch and then we stopped again when we saw blackberry thickets along the ditches that were covered with bursting ripe berries. We picked a bunch and ate them but couldn't take any with us; they were so ripe they were squishing into juice when we tried putting them into a bag.
We arrived at Armstrong Redwood State Park and it was not busy at all. There were tall, beautiful redwood trees surrounding us and making us feel like tiny bugs! It was the girls first sight of real redwood trees and the most spoken word was, "whoa!"
Instead of parking at the Visitors Center we drove to the back of the park and parked and took the trail back toward the entrance.
We passed Colonel Armstrong (the biggest tree in the park), and Icicle Tree (the bark looked like it was dripping off in icicle shapes). The bathrooms were clean but we were starting to notice a trend; California State Park bathrooms do not provide soap. Bring your own soap, I guess!
Instead of parking at the Visitors Center we drove to the back of the park and parked and took the trail back toward the entrance.
We passed Colonel Armstrong (the biggest tree in the park), and Icicle Tree (the bark looked like it was dripping off in icicle shapes). The bathrooms were clean but we were starting to notice a trend; California State Park bathrooms do not provide soap. Bring your own soap, I guess!
After Armstrong redwoods we continued north for another hour and then made a stop at the Chandelier Tree in Leggett. The girls LOVED this stop!
It cost $5.00 to be able to get into this small park but it was worth it because not only do you get to drive your car through a tree, but there are statues carved out of redwood stumps, hidden along the short drive from the entrance booth to the tree. It was neat to drive slowly and try to spot them all!
We spotted bears, raccoons, pelicans, foxes, and even a bunch of flowers hidden behind and in plants.
We kept driving north on 101 and finally hit Avenue of the Giants, a section of very scenic roadway nicknamed for the gigantic redwood trees that line both sides of the road.
It was nearing dinnertime and so we stopped at a particularly tall grove of redwoods with a pullout, planning on picnicking there. We were pleasantly surprised to find a picnic table way back in the trees so we grilled some bratwursts and hot dogs and enjoyed our own personal Redwood Park for dinner; way better than a top-dollar restaurant view! The girls had a blast playing in a nearby stream bed and playing hide and seek among the trees.
Our plan for camping that night was to make it to Van Duzy State Park, proclaimed to be beautiful and secluded, but it was nearing dark and we were very tired of driving so we pulled in to the next campground, Hidden Springs Campground in Humboldt State Park. There were plenty of spots available so we drove around and settled on the prettiest one we could find, #133.
As we were unloading our things we realized that it was extremely warm for after sundown, 82 degrees, a temperature not nice to camp in. Checking the weather, we saw that there was a heat advisory in place for the area until 11 pm that night. Whew!
A coin shower felt pretty nice that night. The girls had fun pretending to put shows on at the amphitheater.
We returned to camp and then the mosquitos showed up. I mean, attacked. We sprayed but they were not deterred. It was pretty much time for bed anyway so we hit the hay.
It cost $5.00 to be able to get into this small park but it was worth it because not only do you get to drive your car through a tree, but there are statues carved out of redwood stumps, hidden along the short drive from the entrance booth to the tree. It was neat to drive slowly and try to spot them all!
There was no line of cars when we got to the tree; we folded our mirrors in and our car barely fit through! The girls stuck their heads out of the sunroof and waved!
The gift shop was the best one out of the whole trip and I even came back on our way back to buy a Christmas ornament I skipped over and shouldn't have. Bonus: They give you a $1.00 off coupon at the entry for the gift shop.
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| An Amish family we saw at the Chandelier Tree |
We kept driving north on 101 and finally hit Avenue of the Giants, a section of very scenic roadway nicknamed for the gigantic redwood trees that line both sides of the road.
It was nearing dinnertime and so we stopped at a particularly tall grove of redwoods with a pullout, planning on picnicking there. We were pleasantly surprised to find a picnic table way back in the trees so we grilled some bratwursts and hot dogs and enjoyed our own personal Redwood Park for dinner; way better than a top-dollar restaurant view! The girls had a blast playing in a nearby stream bed and playing hide and seek among the trees.
Our plan for camping that night was to make it to Van Duzy State Park, proclaimed to be beautiful and secluded, but it was nearing dark and we were very tired of driving so we pulled in to the next campground, Hidden Springs Campground in Humboldt State Park. There were plenty of spots available so we drove around and settled on the prettiest one we could find, #133.
As we were unloading our things we realized that it was extremely warm for after sundown, 82 degrees, a temperature not nice to camp in. Checking the weather, we saw that there was a heat advisory in place for the area until 11 pm that night. Whew!
A coin shower felt pretty nice that night. The girls had fun pretending to put shows on at the amphitheater.
We returned to camp and then the mosquitos showed up. I mean, attacked. We sprayed but they were not deterred. It was pretty much time for bed anyway so we hit the hay.
Day 5 - Prairie Creek Redwoods
Mom was finally feeling good enough for a run and so she did that while Dad cooked the girls some french toast. The mosquitoes were still out and chasing us so we bundled up in our coats and sprayed what we couldn't cover with clothes. Jocelyn, Ivy, and Millie played sniffies again while Mom and Dad packed up; the bear locker was their sniffy fridge and it contained different "food" on each shelf.
Once we got back on the road again northbound, things started to get much prettier! The fog was thick and it softened the outline of the trees. The ground under the trees was greening up as well with ferns. We passed through the city of Eureka, saw log trucks with enormous logs on the back, and drove through tiny, outdated, run down towns.
About two hours into our drive we spotted our first sign of a beach and the girls squealed with excitement. We made a stop and got out to play for a half hour or so; it was called Stone Lagoon and it was a cold, misty, gray-green beach with big pebbly sand.
Ivy filled her pockets up with the prettiest green,white and gray rocks.
We walked toward the seacliff and found a walk through cave and strange hairy seaweed.
Back on the road again we were getting hungry for lunch. We reached the town of Orick which was very run down and stopped for burgers at "Edebees," trusting the good reviews. The burgers were good and filling and we listened to other customers chat about how they were making the trip up 101 by bicycle. All hippies, Kyle said. They definitely were.
About two hours into our drive we spotted our first sign of a beach and the girls squealed with excitement. We made a stop and got out to play for a half hour or so; it was called Stone Lagoon and it was a cold, misty, gray-green beach with big pebbly sand.
Ivy filled her pockets up with the prettiest green,white and gray rocks.
Back on the road again we were getting hungry for lunch. We reached the town of Orick which was very run down and stopped for burgers at "Edebees," trusting the good reviews. The burgers were good and filling and we listened to other customers chat about how they were making the trip up 101 by bicycle. All hippies, Kyle said. They definitely were.
A few minutes north of that we finally reached Prairie Creek but we were a little early for campground check in so we excitedly took the Newton B. Drury Parkway. It was quite possibly one of the most beautiful drives, EVER. It looks like a picture perfect painting the whole way! And even more amazing is that, even though we arrived at 1 o'clock in the afternoon, the Parkway only had cars parked at the first couple of trailheads. Every trailhead beyond that was EMPTY. The further north we went, the fewer cars we saw even driving down the road. We were only halfway up the Parkway when it was clear that we pretty much had the forest alone. Of course a hike was in order. We pulled over at a tiny sign that said Little Creek 1.0 mi and got out to to explore.
It was breathtaking to be in such a beautiful place, and with no one else around. I can be in the most beautiful place and if it's overrun with people, not find much joy in it (Zion N.P.) Our little family hiked this whole trail together, enjoying the quiet, the space, the green canopy overhead; it really was magical. Toward the end of the trail the girls started playing a game by running ahead of Mom and Dad on the trail and then hiding so they could jump out and scare us. We had to be scared a lot of times!
After Little Creek, we hadn't had our fill of the beauty so we chose another secluded trail, Mooreman Grove, and found ourselves alone again among the hugest, most beautiful trees. Jocelyn said something that defined our whole experience in the Redwoods. "I feel so small and important." I wonder if she sensed that all of this, while much larger than her, was created all for her.
Finally it was check in time so we drove in to the Prairie Creek Redwoods Campground and found our space, #63. It was a sort of lucky chance that we secured a camping spot in this campground; these spots are booked out for a year and Mom found ONE night opened up in ONE spot when she was searching.
Space #63 was covered with ferns and a huge mossy tree. The girls enjoyed climbing up a mossy branch that stuck up out of the ground. Jocelyn was super excited that she found a dreamcatcher left behind by someone else; it was her treasure.
It was still foggy but very pretty! After Gold Bluffs we felt hungry so headed back to the nearest town, Orick, to grab some supplies for dinner since there are no restaurants or anywhere to eat near Prairie Creek. There was one store in town and it was very limited in its choices of groceries. Back at camp we grilled up some chicken sausages, warmed up a can of chili, and split a bagged salad.
Day 6 - Say Goodbye and Start Toward Home
The next morning Mom went for a little trail run and saw herd of big elk along the highway but didn't see even one hiker along the trails she visited. And it was a Saturday morning! Truly heaven on earth.
We had some breakfast and then packed it all up one last time. Before starting our long drive we chose to take one more hike in the forest. We went to the first trailhead, Big Tree, and took the short walk to it, and then hit Circle Trail for another short loop back to Big Tree. And then it was time to say goodbye. So sad!
We headed south back toward San Francisco and began the long journey. After driving for several hours (we stopped in Leggett at the Drive-Through Tree gift shop to get Mom a redwood tree Christmas ornament she'd passed over and regretted), we grabbed some gas-station-burrito lunch and kept going. Toward evening we passed through Oakland and badly needed to stop to stretch our legs so we picked the highest Google-rated kids park close to the freeway, FROG park.
We stayed at a hotel that night and arrived home the next night; what a long drive home!
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