Sat, Aug 25We drove north from Eureka to Crescent City. Just when we thought the Redwoods couldn’t be more beautiful, we found MORE that were in Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park! In visiting with a visitor center person, Chari was told “if you go out this road about 6 miles, you enter a Redwood Forest Drive that is wonderful. It’s a DIRT ROAD for 7 miles, and it’s so narrow, RVs and people pulling trailers won’t fit the road.
Wow, was she correct. When we arrived at the dirt road through the Redwoods, the road was barely large enough for the suburban
to fit between the trees—and the road was two way traffic! When you met oncoming traffic (and the speed limit was 15MPH), one car would have to move off to the side between the trees so the other car could pass.The area was so overgrown, it was nearly dark and the temperature was very cool. It was SO quiet as well………….
We enjoyed several hiking trails where you could go up to a mile into the forest to see yet more spectacular sights.
One thing you need to drive out here is strong arm muscles. You are turning the wheel all the time! By the time we finish driving for the day, my arms are SORE.
Notice that the tree in front of the burb is WIDER than the car!
Near Crescent City, we visited a rock outcropping near the ocean. It is called Wedding Rock! It was quite a hike to get to the spot, but the view was great. Sure enough, as we were leaving, a couple in wedding apparel took the trail up to the rock! If you look to the left, you can see two white dots--these are people! They are to the left of the crest and down a little, almost where the rock face goes straight down.
So far, we have made offers on two houses. Chari likes the first one, but I think it's too overdone--plus it would be a b**ch to paint! Now the second one had POTENTIAL--and curtains!
We overnighted in Grants Pass, Oregon. Sunday morning, we headed to a wildlife rescue center called Wildlife Images. It's website is http://www.wildlifeimages.org/. It was very educational and interesting seeing what they are doing with rescued animals. As a side note, they had a bench in memorial to Steve Irwin--turns out his wife worked at this rescue center before they met, and every time he came back to this area, they stop at the center. Our guide says a film crew follows him around all the time, and one trip, he entered the grizzly bear pen with the 8 ft tall grizzly. Of course the bear is so tame, Steve was riding him, and carrying on like a crazy man--some of which was on film. Thinking it might have merit, the next day, Steve and the full crew came back, and when the Grizzly saw Irwin come near the pen, it took off for it's hiddy-hole on the far side of the 3 acre compound. Guess bears are pretty smart.
Their goal is to take rescued animals, help them recover, and release them into the wild.
Of course, there are some animals that have been pets, and they are the ones on display to the public. An 8ft tall Grizzly that likes to have his ears rubbed! Our guide said when he first started working there five years ago as a volunteer, their rules were an armed guard had to be outside the fence (He said he’s never seen an armed guard there), and each handler had to take an electric cattle prod inside. He said he worked there a month before someone pointed out to him that it would be better if he picked up a battery pack for his cattle prod BEFORE he entered the pen! All that time, he didn’t realize the batteries were not inside it already! A gray wolf that thinks it's a dog--in fact, when it was first rescued, they took it to a dog kennel,
thinking it was a dog. When they did a blood test--it was 100% wolf.
Several of the falcons and eagles were injured that the vets didn't catch; one eagle they released and it flew straight into a TREE. Another learned to fly, but couldn't soar, so they knew it couldn't migrate.
One of the eagles starred in a Bud commercial for a past superbowl--the one where the horses were playing football. The eagle from here was filmed in flight and turned into the horses "FLYBY". The center got $40K for that deal. Now, he's going to China for car ads, and they expect to get even more money. His name is Defiance—they tried releasing him TWICE and each time, he made it back to the refuge before the team that released him did!
The guide told a story about a falcon (not one of theirs) that was taken to 6,000 ft in a plane, and jumped out with sky divers. Before they jumped, they tossed a hunk of raw meat. The falcon chased it down and was clocked at 240MPH and caught it a mere 60 ft above the ground. They estimated it pulled 8 G's coming out of the dive! Don't know how true that is, but it was a good story. Found a great article on falcons and skydiving or base jumping at http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/newsletters/inCamera/jan2004/falconP.shtml . They have a DVD out now that I'd like to find!
Their goal is to take rescued animals, help them recover, and release them into the wild.
Of course, there are some animals that have been pets, and they are the ones on display to the public. An 8ft tall Grizzly that likes to have his ears rubbed! Our guide said when he first started working there five years ago as a volunteer, their rules were an armed guard had to be outside the fence (He said he’s never seen an armed guard there), and each handler had to take an electric cattle prod inside. He said he worked there a month before someone pointed out to him that it would be better if he picked up a battery pack for his cattle prod BEFORE he entered the pen! All that time, he didn’t realize the batteries were not inside it already! A gray wolf that thinks it's a dog--in fact, when it was first rescued, they took it to a dog kennel,
thinking it was a dog. When they did a blood test--it was 100% wolf.Several of the falcons and eagles were injured that the vets didn't catch; one eagle they released and it flew straight into a TREE. Another learned to fly, but couldn't soar, so they knew it couldn't migrate.
One of the eagles starred in a Bud commercial for a past superbowl--the one where the horses were playing football. The eagle from here was filmed in flight and turned into the horses "FLYBY". The center got $40K for that deal. Now, he's going to China for car ads, and they expect to get even more money. His name is Defiance—they tried releasing him TWICE and each time, he made it back to the refuge before the team that released him did!
The guide told a story about a falcon (not one of theirs) that was taken to 6,000 ft in a plane, and jumped out with sky divers. Before they jumped, they tossed a hunk of raw meat. The falcon chased it down and was clocked at 240MPH and caught it a mere 60 ft above the ground. They estimated it pulled 8 G's coming out of the dive! Don't know how true that is, but it was a good story. Found a great article on falcons and skydiving or base jumping at http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/newsletters/inCamera/jan2004/falconP.shtml . They have a DVD out now that I'd like to find!
About the cougars, the guide stressed if you come upon one in the wild, make EYE CONTACT with it (HUH?), and SLOWLY back away. Don't make sudden movements and do NOT act scared. When the cat loses interest in you, then you can turn around and proceed cautionously. Of course, changing your shorts has to be next on your agenda!
And lastly, on the way into Oregon, we came upon a bunch of cars stopped along the road. Stopping, we saw the attraction--three elk in a guy's yard! As we watched, they moved from chewing on his trees in the right of the picture, to the front of the house. Had I been inclined, I could have walked 50 ft to the left and downed at least one with a pistol! If the other two didn't spook at the gunshot, I could have a freezer full of elk; I sure the homeowner would like to be rid of them as they are killing his trees! But I wouldn't shoot them, probably..........Morale: Beyond Excellent.
Miles driven: a shade over 3,000.
Most interesting sign spotted recently: "Congestion"
Another sign on a California Beach: "Be cautious of Sneaker Waves". I guess these are larger rogue waves that show up without warning, larger than the other waves, and can wash the unsuspecting out to sea!
Most unusual: We stopped for gas in Oregon, and I started to pump it and an attendent came over to help. The station had 5 or 6 kids working. The lady behind us, seeing our KS tag, said she was originally from Nebraska, and we likely didn't know that it is illegal in Oregon to pump your own gas. Hence, attendents! They don't do windows or check the oil though........
Latest idea shot down: Tonight I suggested that living in a one room apartment might not be a bad idea; we always would be close and would know what the other was doing. Chari's reponse was THE LOOK!
Latest idea shot down: Tonight I suggested that living in a one room apartment might not be a bad idea; we always would be close and would know what the other was doing. Chari's reponse was THE LOOK!
Having fun on the road!
ron
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