May 1, Trinidad to Manchester Beach

May 1, Trinidad to Manchester Beach

We awoke this morning to the sound of sea lions barking on the shore across from the RV Park. It was another cool morning, but again, it warmed up quickly and before too long we were wearing shorts.

After a stop in Eureka for a few groceries we drove to the start of the "Avenue of the  Giants" a scenic 31 mile drive through a forest of giant trees. We stopped several times on the scenic drive to admire some of the sights. We saw the "immortal tree"; a giant redwood that has survived a flood, a fire and someone's attempt to chop it down. In Redcrest we visited the "eternal treehouse", a huge living tree stump that contains a cavern caused by fire centuries ago.

As we motored along this drive we came upon a roadblock. Apparently an annual marathon was taking place, thus blocking us from about 10 miles of the "Avenue of the Giants". We got back on the scenic route and at Myers Flat visited the "drive through tree". We were too big to drive through but we did watch a mid size car go through.

In Piercy we walked through a "One Log House" a complete home (32 feet long) carved out of a 2100 year old redwood. It was hollowed out by hand in 1946 and includes a living area, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. In the eight month process of hollowing the log, enough wood chips were produced to build a traditional five bedroom home!

Leaving the "Avenue of the Giants" we curved along the coast, driving up and down hills, slowing down for the many switchbacks. There were sea lions on the rocky shore and people at all the beaches we passed. This area is referred to as the "banana belt" of the north coast because there is very little fog here, whereas north of Mendicino County and south of Mendicino County fog frequently hugs the coastline.

We settled for the night at a KOA on Manchester Beach in the hopes of going horseback riding on the beach tomorrow. Unfortunately the horses are off on Monday and so we will have to rethink Monday. We did walk to the beach after dinner and enjoyed a beautiful sunset.


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