Trees of Jedi

June 20-22, 2019

Golden Bear RV Camp, Klamath, California

Day 6-8

Another beautiful morning! Birds are chirping, it’s sunny and there is very little traffic. Left around 8 am hoping to arrive by around 12nn, but between a pit stop and getting lost (stupid GPS), I checked in around 1:30 pm. Took one last drive up the Avenue of the Giants to get a good pic of the truck/trailer on the road. Just before getting to the town of Klamath, there is a scenic parkway “Newton B Drury” which is worth the extra 15 minute detour. If you are lucky, you can even see some elk! We did not see any elk, which was just as well for them and Sparky.

This is Klamath on 101, not Klamath National Forest off Interstate 5. Note: don’t always trust your GPS! Mine sent me up to the Oregon border, about 40 miles north because it could not find the street address. (Next time, I will Google the street image and put into Waze the night before, just to be sure). I was mentally exhausted by the time I finally got to the campground at 2pm.

This RV camp has no trees, but it's very sunny and looks clean. Unhitched without a problem (getting better at it). Unfortunately, I am told after I turned on the water, that their water was contaminated and might have e coli or coliform in it. Had I known that at check-in, I would not have used their water and contaminated my tank. Now I need to buy the strips to test the water. In the meantime, I need boil all water for food, add bleach to dishes and buy bottled to drink (including Sparky).

After getting settled, we went north to Crescent City. The first beach was rocky and windy, so we went further north to the Bay where it was long, flat and low tide. It was awesome. Met some nice people with kids from Idaho that played with Sparky for about ½ hour! Then I found a shaded place to do some emails/calls. Stopped into Safeway for some groceries then went back to camp to organize the RV more.

Note, there is no cell service in this area, or at least AT&T. Tonight, I saw the beginning of a really nice sunset, but I was blocked by motor home. Not too bad though, hoping to get a pic from the window tomorrow.

Second day in Klamath and started off at “Trees of Mystery”. I have always wanted to stop here and I have to say, it did not disappoint. I know this looks touristy, and it is. It’s the largest tourist attraction up in this area and it is really good! First, they open at 8am, they allow DOGS and they have a gondola…not to mention a wonderful Indian heritage museum!!! Fortunately, this is located up the road about 5 minutes and really let us get a jump on the day. You can’t miss it – there is an almost 50’ Paul Bunyan and 35’ Babe the Blue Ox welcoming you in.

They start you off with a short video about this family owned tourist attraction which is worth watching. Then you go on a gentle ¼ mile uphill walk amongst their most popular trees – The Chandelier, The Candelabra and The Brotherhood to name a few – leading you to the gondola. I was so excited about this, until I got on it and realized I have a near fear of heights! Since it was early, it was just me and Sparky, and I thought if I faced the hill, I would feel better. I did not. I had to count my way to the top. The ride back down was easier, and I was glad when it was over. The ride lets you off on another trail taking you thru incredible chain saw art telling the stories of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. This was really entertaining too, and they had audio boxes throughout so you could hear all the tall tales. The trail ends at the gift shop which was actually pretty good and the exceptional Indian heritage museum. It’s definitely worth at least 15 minutes; they say it is one of the largest collections in private hands.

After that amazing tour, we headed about 5 minutes south to the lookout point in Requa. That’s where I got the great picture of me and Sparky (kissing me) with the beach in the background. Aside from the great view of the Klamath River opening to the Pacific, I also got AT&T cell service!!

Headed back into Crescent City to do some emails, found a safe spot to park next to the police station. FYI, I do have a taser and mace to keep me safe, and helicopter insurance (in case of an accident in a remote area). And, I just activated my Airstream modem, so I should be able to get internet in the trailer from now on.

The next amazing field trip today was to the “Stout Memorial Grove” which is part of the Jedediah Smith Redwood Park. I'm told they filmed Star Wars Return of the Jedi here. Though it is just a few miles outside of Crescent City, it will take at least 45 minutes to get there. There are only two ways in, both dirt roads. I took the 6.6 mile because it looked closer, but there is a 3-mile route from Hwy 199, around the north side, which I would probably recommend instead. The sign going in says no trailers, but it should also say 4-wheel drive suggested. This was a fantastic journey that felt like a safari!! The road was gravelly and gently windy, down thru massive Redwoods. You could reach your arms out and touch them you were so close. Top speed was 10-15 miles because it was so bumpy, and you had to constantly make room for oncoming cars to pass. I kept the windows closed because of all the dust it kicked up. It made all the pictures look like black and white because of all the grey dust. Once we got down there, the sign said no dogs allowed (even on leash)…so, we turned around. Glad I went but would have loved to have seen the actual park. I definitely recommend this park and look forward to coming back.

Exhausted from the drive, we stopped at the beach again in Crescent City before heading back to camp to pack up for our trip out tomorrow to Coos Bay, Oregon.