Summer Trip 2021, Oregon Dunes National Recreational Area, Florence, Oregon

 Oregon Dunes National Recreations Area

Lagoon Campground 

At an elevation of 100 feet, the campground sits among shore pine and huckleberry along the Siltcoos Lagoon and the Siltcoos River. The campground is part of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, known for its wind-sculpted sand dunes towering to 500 feet above sea level.

Our campsite at Oregon Dunes

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Carter Lake

We enjoyed hiking to the beach over the sand dunes. The dunes rise to over 100 feet from the wind coming in over the Pacific ocean. The cool air kept us bundled up as the average high was in the upper sixties with lows approaching 50 degrees at night. This is a special area full of the kind of beauty you find out here on the Oregon coast off of Hwy 101.

Carter Lake 

On the beach next to Carter Lake

Climbing the dunes to the Pacific Ocean

The following images are of the Pacific Ocean once we climbed over the dunes

One of the places nearby that we explored were the unique Sea Lion Caves just north of Florence. We marveled at the Stellar Sea Lions that come here to find refuse from their routines at sea and to socialize. We meet the owners, Steve and Sue Saulbert, as they strolled through Carter Lake campground one morning with their beautiful dog Cowboy. What a special couple. We had a great conversation. Steve and Sue gave us their card which we used to get free admission to the Sea Lion Caves. I always say it just is not the place that you are so blessed to visit it is the people you meet who make it special. We have been blessed to meet so many nice folks on are travels this year.

 The Pacific Ocean on the coast of Oregon as you drive up the coast on Highway 101 is a spectacular journey. We enjoyed the scenery all along the way.  

The Heceta Lighthouse

Meyers Creek Beach

Summer Trip 2021, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, CA

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park 

Elk Prairie Campground

Fifty miles north of Eureka, Oregon Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park protects sandy beaches and open meadows grazed by magnificent herds of Roosevelt elk. Ferns cascade down canyon walls. Lush stands of the world's tallest living tree species, the coast redwood, stand in primeval majesty.

The California redwoods are a sight to see rising to heights of over 300 feet they are the oldest and tallest of trees on the planet. Our experience here has been awe inspiring with multiple hikes through the old growth groves in Prairie Creek and the adjacent Redwoods National Parks.

Our campsite at Prairie Creek was out in the open providing us with warm sunlight during the day as the average high here is 66 degrees in July with a low of about 50 degrees. Being from hot and humid Florida it was a pleasant change from the heat which has been very unseasonable especially in the central valley of California where the highs have been the triple digits for a week or more. The facilities at Prairie Creed are nice. We had water at our site and the restroom had showers which we liked a lot as we have been used to jumping into the lakes at some of our stops on our way here. 

We saw Roosevelt Elk wandering the open meadows as we toured the area stopping at Lady Bird Johnson’s Grove for a ranger led hike. We liked this trail the best of them all as the grade was easy and the redwoods were big surrounded by ferns everywhere. The morning we took our stroll the sea fog was just lifting providing a other worldly landscape as the sun rays streaked through the fog illuminating the tall redwoods in a mystic shroud. 

There was a road closure due to a landside on 101 the morning we left causing a hour an half delay on our trip up into Oregon to Carter Lake National Forest Service campground near Florence, Oregon. This can happen from time to time however we did have adequate warning to adjust our schedule making the best of a situation that can test your patience. 

Summer Trip 2021, Grizzly Creed Redwoods State Park, Maple Grove, CA

Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park 

Located in the heart of the redwoods this is a place that inspires ones sense of wonder at the unlimited possibilities of nature with trees that are centuries old and reach to heights that are far above other trees in the forest.

We were surprised that the park had pay showers which was welcomed as we had been bathing in rivers and lakes at Lassen and Fallen Leaf campgrounds. When you experience places that are remote and beautiful one often has to make due as best they can. The restrooms were clean with flush toilets. We had no electric however the nights are cool here for sleeping at night and days are mild as we are so close to the Pacific Ocean. Barbara and I have been enjoying campfires at night which is a delight as most places out west have a fire ban as there is an active drought in most places in California.

The redwood forests on the Pacific coast are a sight to see rising up into to sky for 300 feet or more. These giants have been around as a species for over 240 million years longer then other species such as flowers and spiders. The oldest trees are 2,000 years old which is impressive to say the least. It is truly an experience to marvel at these monarchs of the forest.

We visited Ferndale not far from Grizzly Creek to do our laundry and walk around the lovely town near the coast of northern California. The Victorian homes here are the hall mark of this beautiful place. We had a great time looking at the architecture and enjoying the shops in town.

Summer Trip 2021, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Mineral, CA

 Lassen Volcanic National Park

Butte Lake Campground

  The dominant feature of the park is Lassen Peak, the largest plug dome volcano in the world and the southernmost volcano in the Cascade Range. The park is one of the few areas in the world where all four types of volcano can be found - shield, plug dome, cinder cone and stratovolcano.

Mount Lassen

We visited Butte Lake in the far northeast part of Lassen Volcanic National Park. The road into this part of the park is a Forest Service road that is bumpy and ruff. Campers have to take it slow as to avoid shaking up there trailer to much as it is seven miles in to the campground.

We enjoyed jumping into Butte Lake to refresh ourselves as there are no showers here and no electric. We were very comfortable at our campsite with our easy up shade room providing comfort from the warm rays of the sun in the afternoon. We definitely will bring back great memories of our time spent by Butte Lake in Lassen Volcanic National Park with the many natural wonders that make this place so special.

This area of Lassen is real wilderness with geological formations such as the volcanic Cinder Cone that is the main feature of the area. The Fantastic Lava Beds that line the shoreline of Butte Lake spread for miles from there source at the base of the Cinder Cone. The Painted Dunes can be seen as you hike closer to the Cinder Cone. The colors seem to change as the sunlight gets lower to the horizon. 

 

Fantastic Lava Beds

Painted Sand Dunes

Cinder Cone

I climbed to the top of the Cinder Cone which was a challenge as the angle of accent was at least 30 degrees with a loose gravel texture all the way up, 640 feet. I made it after stopping to rest many times to catch my breath. The climb was worth it as the views were spectacular. I was able to get a good look at Lassen Peak which at over 10,000 feet in elevation, the highest point in the park.

Lassen Volcanic National Park is a geological wonder. I feel blessed that I was able to experience such a wonderous adventure so far from my home state of Florida.