The Lost Coast and Redwoods

Planning a last minute get out of town getaway is always fun and this time the destination was up to the Lost Coast of California in Shelter Cove where Bryan grew up going to visit as a kid and then driving up to see Redwoods National Park and Fern Canyon.

Lighthouse on the Lost Coast

I could not have asked for a better weekend or better company.  We drove up Friday after work and arrived after dark but woke up to a beautiful view of the ocean and hearing the waves crashing far below.  It took a couple of hours to drive up to Redwoods National Park especially stopping along the way to explore sweeping vistas.  I had previously visited Muir Woods and had my first taste of some of the giant redwood trees but the ones in the national park are on a whole different level.  These amazing giants of trees that are hundreds are years old are so awe inspiring.  If you want to feel truly tiny in this world then stand next to one of these trees. 

Elk at the Redwoods Park

Feeling tiny

Fern Canyon was a place I had read about and had put on my list to see when I came out to California.  At this time of year, the dirt road is well worn and quite bumpy to get there (I am told they fill the potholes in the summer time) but worth the effort.  It takes some wading through cold water to get through the canyon and see the views so bring some waterproof shoes or at least a pair that you can get wet.  I wore old tennis shoes and every time I stepped back into the water the cold felt like ice and took my breath away but the view was awesome and worth the momentary discomfort.

On our way home the next day we drove through the Avenue of the Giants.  It is a 31 mile drive over winding roads through giant, ancient redwood trees. With every turn of the road I felt dwarfed by these magnificent trees.  We pulled to the side of the road on occasion to be able to get out of the car and look up.  There were a lot of "wows" that slipped from my lips when we came around a bend in the road. The road winds through small towns with places to eat along the way if you want to.  Definitely worth the detour if you are in the area.

Shelter Cove is a small town, far off the beaten path on the coast and requires a bit of effort to get there.  It is a quiet, peaceful place with sweeping views that has very little development.  It's a plan ahead kind of a place as there are not really restaurants or a normal grocery store in the area but if you like serene and peaceful then this is the place for you.