Redwood EdVentures
As we crossed the border into California we were driven by a few things: sunshine, a place to set up camp amongst the Redwood National and State Parks, and the World Series.
I was surprised by Northern California's coast. Hwy 101's twists and turns continued to astound as we lumbered along the ocean's cliffs and through more small, blue collar towns. We stopped for the night and managed to find the only sports bar in town playing the game. We indulged in greasy bar food and cheered like fools. Then we were kicked out... karaoke night was starting.
The Redwoods are spread throughout much of Northern California's coast in a number of National and State run parks. We were looking to set up shop somewhere in the middle of it all. Our search became a bit troubling as each of our options failed. Closed down, too creepy, and where is everyone else? One park we rolled into had one RV that had been there a long time, no one in the registration office, and about 200 elk in mating season. We rolled out. The World Series game was about to start when we finally found a place in Arcata, CA. We parked and cranked up the antenna. Let me just say that up to this point our antenna has picked up usually 0 - 2 channels and one for some reason always seems to be Jimmy Swagart. We held our breath ready to bolt for a local bar and the scanner returned two channels. Would one be the game? Waiting... OH. MY. GOODNESS. Two channels and one is the Cubs game! We're staying put for the series!
And we did. While our campground had a bit of a shady element to it that I couldn't put my finger on, we did feel safe. Maybe it was the lovely ex-con I had a heart to heart with over laundry. Maybe it was the guy who told me he was in touch with his native tribe's spirits and began to tell my future. Maybe it was the full timers there that were definitely NOT homeschooling their children all day. Whatever it was, we felt safe but our kids didn't leave our sight. The kids had a blast playing with all of the kids on the playground everyday but AFTER they finished school. There was an odd "neighborhood" feel to the place.
We explored every day incorporating the Redwoods AMAZING EdVenture Quests into our school days. These quests allowed the girls to take the lead in each of our hikes with a kid friendly map. Each point on the map was loaded with information and ended in a hidden code word you had to find in order to earn a badge. Our first two hikes were magical leading us to the top of sea stacks and deep into the forest.
We spent a dreary day hiking to the top of the coastal cliffs and following clues in beautiful Trinidad.
We drove to the Prairie Creek Redwood National Forest and spent an incredible day with necks craned at Redwood majesty. We met a canopy ecologist on one of our trails who was repelling after planting a camera on the Marbled Murrelet for research. He talked with us and set us off trail to climb into secret, hollowed out redwoods. Spectacular! In the end, we found our clue and earned our badge.
Sometimes it just hits me how beautifully comfortable my children have become in National Park visitor centers and with rangers. I started reading Travels With Charley in the book store, Shawn was reading about whale baleen, and I found the girls curled up by the fireplace with a book of their own.
We spent a day driving down the Avenue of Giants. It is 30 miles of protected redwood groves dotted with kitschy tourist shops and cafes. Oh, and a few redwoods you can drive through. It was a close call! We chased clues through the Humboldt Redwood Forest and earned yet another EdVenture badge.
As we move on from this leg of our adventure, I must admit the redwoods were one of the most spectacular sights of this trip for me. As you walk deep into these old growth forests there is something so powerful and magical amongst them there are no words.
...Almost as magical as watching the Cubs win the World Series. Okay, it was a tie. Both were pretty spectacular.
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