As we headed down the coast on Highway 101, we took a little detour to drive through the Redwood National and State Parks.
But our first stop was at a private residence where you can actually drive through a redwood tree.
However, I have to admit it was a little challenging.
First of all, we were towing our camper with us. We had to unhitch it in the parking lot so that we could drive up the steep switchback incline to where the tree was located.
Then when we got up there we weren’t sure that the truck was actually going to fit through the massive opening.
However, you only get the opportunity to drive through a tree once, so we were determined to make it happen. We folded the mirrors in and carefully inched our way through the tree.
Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway In The Redwood Forest
After hitching the camper back to the truck we made the short drive to the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway.
This was a 10 mile alternative drive off Highway 101 that takes you through the heart of the old growth redwood forest in the Redwoods State Park.
And within minutes of being on the path, our jaws began to drop. The sheer size of the trees that we were driving by were simply massive!
The trunks on some of the trees were so big that it would take at least seven large men to wrap their arms around them.
And although we tried to take pictures to capture their magnificent size, the photos really don’t do them justice.
The ‘Big Tree’
But lucky for us we were able to hike to the ‘Big Tree’. Here the age and size of the Redwood was documented.
This tree has been alive for over 1500 years!!!! If only it could tell stories on everything it has seen and been through.
As we continued to hike the trails we simply were in awe of the Redwoods that surrounded us. The sheer size of the trunks and the height of the trees made us both feel tiny as we stood among them.
Once we got back in the truck we continued our drive, stopping every couple miles to take another picture of a beautiful Redwood tree.
We even had the chance to stand in a trunk that had been hollowed out from a forest fire.
If our drive wasn’t magnificent enough, as we were leaving the Redwoods State Park we got an up close and personal view of an elk.
He was laying on the side of the road and he appeared to be posing for pictures as visitors were driving by.
It was the perfect way to wrap up a majestic drive through the Redwood forest!
Happy Traveling – Jim and Mary
- Day 78 of 365
- States Visited: 11 / 50
- National Parks / Monuments Visited : 11
- Stayed In : McKinleyville, California
- Miles Driven : 78.4
- Total Trip Miles To Date : 8162.6
- Total Gallons Used : 609.15
- Biking Miles : 0.0
- Biking Miles To Date : 142.5
- Hiking Miles : 2.7
- Hiking Miles To Date : 178.7
About Our Living Simple Tour
On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States
Follow along by signing up for our twice weekly email updates at the bottom of the page. You can also follow us on Facebook : Live Simple Tour Facebook and Instagram : Live Simple Now Instagram Page.
Pictures simply do not do justice to our National Parks, they really must be experienced.
But thank you so much for sharing yours with us.
We totally agree!!!
Loving your ramblings through the redwoods. When you come back, here’s a good site, from a former park ranger and local nature guide, with tips on hikes and places to stay, including campgrounds for your cool teardrop camper. https://redwoodcoastparks.com.
Thank you Richard! Those are some great suggestions and we can’t wait to come back!