Redwood, Eureka and Klamath (August 4th) On the morning of August 4th, we left Clearlake Oaks and headed toward north. We mostly drive along highway 101, which is also called Redwood Highway in this part. We drive through a small village called Leggett, where we drive through the drive through tree, a huge redwood tree carved out in the middle to be driven through by cars. We drove further north and spent some time in Eureka, a port city used to be fabulously wealthy. Many huge mansions still stand there, testifying its past glory. Its library is very beautiful. But it only opens from 12 to 4, probably because of the lack of kids. The beach at Eureka, facing Pacific Ocean, is long and terrific. I dipped into the water to enjoy the wave. But I didn’t go very far, being afraid of the huge waves. The sand is very hot under the sun. We feel and fear that our feet might be cooked. But the heat must be very therapeutic. Eureka is such a beautiful and warm place. But it seems in decline. There aren’t many people there. We wonder why. Then we drive further north, stopping at the visitor center at Redwood National Park. There a guide showed us a route to see giant redwood trees. We took a detour from highway 101 to Newton Drury Scenic Parkway and saw many giant redwood trees. It is an amazing sight. We took many pictures. Humans are tiny with these giants. Giant trees used to be very common along the west coast. In Vancouver, we often see huge tree stumps. But never see any giant trees. They are all cut down as lumbers. Only in protected areas, these giants survive. The giant red trees often grow for one thousand to two thousand of years. The native people in the American continent were in Bronze Age. They didn't have iron tools. The ginat trees got to survive for a long time. When European settlers came, they use iron tools to cut down the grand trees as timbers. They cash out the thousand year capital gain of the giant trees instantly. This is the true source of tremendous wealth in North America. But this tremendous wealth can't last forever. We settled in at Klamath River RV Park for the night. Our campsite is by the Klamath River. The next morning, I dipped into the river for the morning bath. The river water is very warm, surprisingly and comfortably warm. Note: Redwood is one of the great symbols of America. It appeared prominently in Woody Guthrie’s song This Is Your Land. This land is your land, this land is my land
From California to the New York island,
From the redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters;
This land was made for you and me. As I was walking that ribbon of highway
I saw above me that endless skyway;
I saw below me that golden valley;
This land was made for you and me. I've roamed and rambled and I followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts;
And all around me a voice was sounding;
This land was made for you and me. When the sun came shining, and I was strolling,
And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling,
As the fog was lifting a voice was chanting:
This land was made for you and me. As I went walking I saw a sign there,
And on the sign it said "No Trespassing."
But on the other side it didn't say nothing.
That side was made for you and me. In the shadow of the steeple I saw my people,
By the relief office I seen my people;
As they stood there hungry, I stood there asking
Is this land made for you and me? Nobody living can ever stop me,
As I go walking that freedom highway;
Nobody living can ever make me turn back
This land was made for you and me. The following is a link to his song. https://youtu.be/rRnHx3yVuf4
|
