Still exploring the Klamath, CA, area, we started our day with a stop at Elk Meadow. We were all by ourselves when we drove in. We looked around the picnic area for a few minutes and, seeing nothing, we headed back out. Strangely, the road was now filled with cars, so we stopped to see what was going on. Roosevelt Elk, that's what was going on - a whole herd of them. We counted nearly twenty. Of course, there was only one male, so he was busy.
This is zoomed as much as my camera will zoom. I could not see all of the elk lying down at the time.
As they arose, one by one, it was apparent that this was a very large herd.
We got to the National Park Visitor's Center which, strangely enough, was on the beach. Stranger still, they didn't have any lights on. We found out Pacific Gas & Electric had scheduled a rolling blackout. California apparently doesn't have enough electricity for everyone at the same time! At least I got my official Passport stamp and some good park information.
Next, we went to Lady Bird Johnson Memorial Grove in the National Park. We only walked about halfway around the trail before it started raining. We tried to ignore it at first, but it persisted. We got soaked and ran back to the car. What we did see was pretty amazing.
This tree is fascinating. It has seen many fires (the heartwood is gone), but the tree is still alive.
Apparently, the outside growing layer is all that is needed for a Redwood to survive.
The Redwood lacks the volatile resins found in pines, firs, and spruce, and its sap is largely water.
Since the rain seemed like it was going to continue, we headed to Crescent City, CA, with a few stops along the coast for some wave watching.
We stopped in at the City Visitor's Center for maps and recommendations. The very helpful lady there recommended the Chart Room for a nice lunch where we would have a view of the harbor
We had a view of the Battery Point Lighthouse and we were treated to a sea lion show on the dock.
Behind the restaurant, the dock was lined with 12 -14 California Sea Lions.
I'm not sure if he appreciates his neighbors hind flipper on his head.
(check out the nails found only on a sea lions hind flippers.)
I was able to watch this big guy jump up on the deck.
. I am about 30 feet back and they are used to gawkers.
He didn't stay long. Posed for a few pictures and then took off.
Our Visitor Center host also told us we should drive out Howland Hill Road to Stout Grove. It was fantastic! The very narrow, unpaved road wound through the giant trees and gave us a different perspective on the forest (notice our car parked next to one of the redwood trees).
Hollowed out, but alive. I expected to see a gnome peek out.
I expected this tree to start talking to me. Come on!
A ray of sun made its way through the canopy to shine on David.
As we returned to our coach, it started raining, but the sun was still shining strongly from low in the west creating a beautiful double rainbow. We could actually see the rainbow in front of the trees! People were stopped along the side of the road taking pictures. Fortunately for us, we were close to the coach and the rainbow was still visible when we got home.
This was a first for me. The rainbow was so close it was in front of the distant trees, but just behind the close tree.
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