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Published: August 2nd 2014
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Having left Crater Lake a day early and staying in Gold Hill made for a short, relaxing day to Cave Junction. We continued our lookout for Oregon wayside, parks, etc. and found one. A really interesting Botanical Wayside that looked like a "harsh environment" for plants. We followed a boardwalk thru a dry, grassy foothills area and surprised by it leading to another stand of the Darlingtonia pitcher plant. Apparently, in this dry area there was a natural spring of alkaline water that provided the perfect habitat for the plant.
As we were approaching Cave Junction, Ruth exclaimed, "that looks like a place you would like." Turned around and found a funky complex of buildings with a sign - "It's a Burl." This place was a cooperative of woodworkers of rustic furniture primarily made of wood burl material. Absolutely beautiful wood. I couldn't help but buy a couple pieces of wood, at which Ruth reminded me that she had no space in her suitcase.
We drove on to the Treehouse B&B thru the small town of Cave Junction. We got settled and had time to drive down to Oregon Caves National Monument. Interestingly, they described the tour thru the
cave system as climbing up the mountain from within. There were several hundred steps in the cave and you actually ended up at a higher elevation when you exited as when you entered. Pretty sure you understand how caves are formed, and how stalagmites and stalactites are formed. But an interesting element was early tourist wrote their names on the walls of the cave. These signatures were preserved by a thin layer the calcium carbonate. After the cave tour we took the long way back to the visitor center getting a great distant view of the area. Lots of wildflowers.
Went back to have some dinner at the recommended restaurant in Cave Junction; Taylor Sausage & Deli. What a funky place. Great food and live music. A couple was keyboard and guitar, singing popular folk songs. Then back to the treehouse to relax.
http://www.treehouseparadise.com/ We a wonder breakfast on the main house's patio and shared information with the other two couples stay there. Since we were so close, we couldn't resist heading off to Redwood National Park. We were encouraged to skip Crescent City and go to Brookings for lunch. Jedediah Smith Redwood State was amazing as you
would expect. Those redwoods are crazy amazing. We were a little surprised by all the trees that had fallen over. Not sure how long ago or from a storm, but quite a few. We headed to Brookings for lunch. Found a nice harbor from restaurant to get some seafood.
We got back in town in time to take a hike at another of the state waysides. This one was just west of town and it felt like being in a desert.
Back to treehouse to relax, watch the sunset and have a little wine and cheese on the deck.
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