Summer Vacation Trip - Day 7

We were awake by 0600 and, after breakfast at the hotel (0645), we drove north to Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park so Mollie could get her Junior Ranger badge. While there, we drove up the Cal-Barrel Scenic Road, hiked on the Rhododendron Trail and other interpretive trails, and saw three bull elks and four mule deer near the road. The whole park was covered with a thick layer of mist/fog and the temps were in the mid 50s. I took a short hike on the Coastal Trail but couldn't see the ocean from the high bluff. We were fortunate to see plenty of wildlife: a snail, a banana slug, Steller's Jays, pelicans and ground squirrels. After a few hours enjoying the park (Mollie didn't want to leave at all), we drove north on US-101. We enjoyed some better visibility while exploring the Klamath River area (amazing views) and stopped for a visit at the Yurok Nation complex. We got gas, postcard stamps and lunch (Chester’s Chicken) there (1150)and then continued north. Eventually, we reached Crescent City and decided to visit Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. Mollie wanted to get a Redwoods jacket and we picked up other souvenirs (1230). While we were at this park, we took a nice walk on a trail along the Smith River. There were plenty of redwood trees, pretty camp sites, clear water and skipping stones. We were sad to leave the majestic trees after two amazing days - Mollie noted that she was going to "miss the awesome smell". The next phase of our Dad-Daughter Adventure began later in the afternoon as we entered Oregon again on US-101. We stopped several times as we made our way north: walking the sand at Whaleshead Beach, snapping photos from high bluffs above Arch Rock and Cape Sebastian. It was sunny and pleasant (mid 60s) but VERY windy (we got sand blasted near the rolling waves). One memorable moment was when we watched a silly seagull (our ubiquitous friend, "Sam') walking slowly and deliberately along the shore - seemingly without a care in the world - while the sea swirled violently only feet away... By the time we reached Gold Beach ("Where the Rogue River Meets the Ocean"), we decided to stop driving for the night. We explored the little town, picking up souvenirs (1745) and scouting out places to watch the sunset. In our hotel room (at the Motel 101), we ate dinner (snacks) and then went out again to watch the sunset (2055). Mollie posted on Facebook: "Dad and I got to relax and watch the sunset to end Day 7! It was a rather brisk evening, I must say, and the clouds made the sunset shorter than it could have been, but it was still really nice. The overlook was only a short distance away from our hotel, so we were able to pop in and out without much trouble. I hope we can see more sunsets, hopefully when there are fewer clouds in the sky!" Back in our room again, Mollie and I talked to Chuck on the phone about upcoming Thanksgiving plans. We watched TV and went to bed at around 2200. Life is good!