Almost
two years into the pandemic, most of us have learned flexibility with this ever-changing
environment. Restaurants not open, you
learned to cook for yourself or cook restaurant quality dishes right at home. Supply chain issues, many have started to
grow their own vegetables and strive for zero food and ingredient waste. Covid exposure derails your road trip plans
like ours last March, you go 9 1/2 months later. What you do not do is give up as they always
said better late than never.
The only time I have ever been up to the Avenue of the Giants was literally 20 years ago for a quick day trip on Valentine’s Day. Needless to say, with limited time, we did not get very far back in 2002. Returning for the MLK holiday weekend with our base out of Fort Bragg, we were able to get an early start along Highway 1 (Note: Highway 1 is narrower and windier than the more popular Hwy 101), where with the exception of a family of deer, we had the road all to ourselves until our first stop.
Chandelier Drive Thru Tree
Our first stop was the Chandelier Drive Thru Tree in Leggett. With fees for both drive-thru trees, we opted for this one arriving early in the morning. With hardly anyone around yet, we got to drive thru it 5 times, first to get a video of the car driving through it from the other side, another actually in the car to see the inside of the tree trunk as you are going through, a third to take pictures of the car in the tree, and a couple more turns for good measure.
Another picture worthy spot was inside the trunk of a fallen tree that is wider than I am tall. This is a pretty simple stop with a gift shop, clean bathroom facilities, and a couple of benches to unwind with the $10 admission fee.
One Log House
I remember this from 20 years ago and wanted to stop by again as it was so unique. “Crafted in 1946 from a 2100-year-old redwood, this section of the tree weighed 42 tons and took 8 months of labor to hollow out a room 7 feet high and 32 feet long.” The width of this is about as wide as your arm span where you can almost touch from one wall to the other with your fingertips. I think of it as the original tiny home as it is divided and furnished with a bedroom, living, and dining area.
The
code to enter can be obtained from the gift shop which appears to be associated
with a cannabis dispensary these days. Times
are a changing.
Living Chimney Tree
This was not one we had scheduled to stop at but was intrigued by the sign as we drove by. The inside of this 78-foot-tall redwood was destroyed by a fire over a hundred years ago but the outer part had survived due to its higher moisture content so it is still standing today. Entering at the base and looking up, you do feel as if you are looking up a chimney as you catch glimpses of the sky.
Avenue Cafe
In the middle of the redwoods, food is still on my mind. Maybe it is just being in nature and slowing down to really appreciate what is around you but even a simple sandwich tasted so much better here. Whatever they did to warm up the bread for the turkey pesto sandwich kept it from getting soggy and still had that impressive crunch to the last bite.
The chicken parmesan sandwich was deliciously warm perfect for dining outdoors in 45-degree weather and those addictive onion rings were one of the best I have ever had. Great service from Kaitlyn and I could not have asked for a better lunch break.
Founders Grove and Founders Tree and
After lunch, I really wanted to see these majestic giants in its own element and the Founders Grove is the perfect place to do just that. Dedicated to the founders of the Save the Redwoods League, formed to preserve and protect the 170,000 acres of redwood land in the state. In 1921, the first grove was purchased by the league, what is now the Humboldt Redwoods State Park where this grove is found. The Founders Tree is right by the entrance of the Founders Grove where up close you can see the great details, a reminder to put your phone down and look up more often. Although curiosity got the better of me and I did have to look up why the bark was diagonal vs. straight. Apparently growing in a spiral gives it greater flexibility and therefore more wind resistance than its straight grained neighbors.
However,
they are not invincible as demonstrated by the fall of the Dyerville Giant 31 years
ago. After standing for 1600 years, the
domino effect of nearby trees falling just the week before, due to the overly
saturated soil ultimately took down this “champion” weighing an estimate of
over 1,000,000 pounds and standing at 362-370 feet tall.
Immortal Tree
The Immortal Tree may have you thinking otherwise though. Over its almost 1000 years, it has survived fire, flood, lightning and even axes, this tree is the epitome of endurance and its scars tell its story. Multiple lightning strikes reduced its height from 298 feet to 258 feet, a logger’s axe left its scar 10 feet off the ground and forest fire both in 1908 and a flood in 1964 where the fish affixed to the tree shows how high the floodwaters rose, really tested the fortitude of this tree.
Eternal Tree House
Our last planned stop before heading back is the Eternal Tree House that like the Chimney Tree was hollowed out by a fire. Not move in ready like that One Log House, the single light shining in this 20-foot cave like structure allows you to read about its history and a guest book left for you to sign.
World Famous Tree House
The last of the four “redwood tree turned into usable space or rooms” is the World-Famous Tree House. Looks to be permanently closed though and used for storage as evident through its “window” and chiseled redwood bear guard. Although unable to experience the treehouse itself, the woodwork artistry around it was still a sight to see.
Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitor Center
Since it is a 2-hour drive back to Fort Bragg and restrooms have not been available since lunch, we stopped at the Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitor Center to stretch our legs before our long drive back. Close to the Burlington Campground and the Gould Grove Nature Trail, it is definitely more than just a restroom stop. However, if you are hoping to catch that sunset back at Fort Bragg like I did, it was just a quick stop and to check out this tree that fell near Bear Creek in 2006. With fun date tags of how large the tree was when certain historic events occurred such as when Ghengis Khan conquered Persia, the Ming Dynasty began, and when the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, among others. Here you thought you lived through a lot.
Aside
from a great opportunity to opt outside and be one with nature on a peaceful
January holiday weekend, what this day with these majestic giants have taught me
is resilience. Life is far from perfect
and can be full of challenges, but it is how
you react to those challenges that will determine if you are triumphant. You may find that like these redwood trees,
you are stronger than you think.
Chandelier
Drive Thru Tree
67402
Drive Thru Tree Road
Leggett,
CA 95585
One
Log House
705
US-101
Garberville,
CA 95542
Living
Chimney Tree
1111
California 254 (Avenue of the Giants)
Phillipsville,
CA 95559
Avenue
Cafe
6743
Avenue of the Giants
Miranda,
CA 95553
Welcome to the Avenue Cafe in Miranda California
Dyersville
Giant and Founders Grove
Dyerville
Road
Redcrest,
CA 95569
Humboldt Redwoods Interpretive Association
|
Immortal
Tree
28101
Avenue of the Giants
Redcrest,
CA 95569
Eternal
Tree House
26510
Avenue of the Giants
Redcrest,
CA 95569
World
Famous Tree House (may be closed permanently)
Piercy,
CA 95569
Humboldt
Redwood State Park Visitors Center
Avenue
of the Giants (approximately 17119 which is the Burlington Campgrounds)
Weott,
CA 95571
