Avenue of the Giants

We arrived in Humboldt County excited to see the giant redwoods.  We drove into the forest amazed and in awe. We drove through a living redwood tree! Then we had lunch by a pond and were visited by a pretty blue jay who chirped at us.  We saw a "Chimney Tree" where fire had ravaged the interior of the tree, but the tree was still living.  It was hollowed out enough to make a small room and up through the middle of the tree.  It was fascinating! There were many pull outs where we could stop and admire the trees, and listen to the creeks and rivers.  There aren't words adequate enough to describe this forest!  It is so beautiful!  We really enjoyed the Visitor's Center.  There were many animal of the forest displays.We petted animal hides, touched lion paws and deer horns, felt rocks and branches, shell fossils, and even held different kinds of cones from the various trees.  The cone from the giant redwood trees is only the size of an olive!  We went on a nature walk in the Founder's Grove and learned more about the forest from a booklet that the trail provided.  What a marvelous day!