Avenue Of Giants

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Geo: 40.8032, -124.16

We're pretty sure that Bonnie D hasn't seen enough tree photos yet so we immediately headed for the Avenue of the Giants to get her a few more. The Avenue is surrounded by Humboldt Redwoods State Park, which has the largest remaining stand of virgin redwoods in the world, but many of these massive trees sit on private land so there is a fair bit cheesiness involved in some of the more well-known stops along this avenue. That said, you can still see the Immortal Tree (950 year old tree that has survived not only the ravages of time but also the 1964 flood of the area, a 1908 attempt at logging, and a direct lightning strike which removed the top 45 feet of the tree), various Treehouses (which are usually hollows in the base of the tree with a lightbulb hanging down), with a smattering of Big Foot sightings thrown in.

This was going to be Billy Thunder's time to shine- in addition to driving by and around Giant Redwoods, Billy was going to be able to drive through and on top of a couple of these same Redwoods. With DH doing most of the driving on this trip (and regularly ignoring my directions as well as Mistress G's GPS commands), you might expect that we would have ended up a tree (or a creek) numerous times already on this trip. But to purposely steer BT through a tree (even a Giant Redwood) was no trivial feat since Billy is a big boy and had only inches to spare on either side as he squeezed through the drive-thru Redwood. Carol C might quickly remind readers of my not-so-graceful attempt to squeeze through a glacier crevice in New Zealand, and yes we were worried that not only would Billy get stuck but we would be stuck inside trying to figure out how to explain our situation to authorities. Ever-supportive, DH jumped out to take photos, run for help, and practise whispering "I told you so". Billy did much better than I did, and came through all of his photo ops with flying colours.

For the environmentally concerned, the limited number of drive-thru trees in existence today have been grandfathered, and no one is allowed to drill a hole through a tree for goofy tourist photos anymore. Unfortunately for Bonnie D, we have plenty of other options for our own goofy photo ops, so there will be no near-term end to her homework.

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Comments

[BandM]

not a lot bigger than you but you aren't flexing either !!

[Vanessa from 52]

I loved your photos!! Avenue of the Giants is now on my bucket list thanks to you guys...absolutely gorgeous photos. When are you guys coming for the wedding in Uxbridge? My niece immigrated from France and has been living in our coach h
ouse for the past 7 months, but we have room in the main house for you guys to stay at for your wedding in June or July...just let me know!! V. xo

[Elaine & Doug]

Well, this would certainly give us that warm and comforting feeling which would allow for a good night's sleep!

[Elaine & Doug]

A wondrous exterior! Too bad that you have to almost sell your soul to get a peek inside.

[Elaine & Doug]

Previously, we lived in a condo on the harbour in Victoria and in the 90s, the City in their great wisdom allowed the erection of a 185 ft totem right in front of our building. It was truly a skinny, ugly thing with a flashing hazard light
at the top, since the harbour is a designated float plane landing strip. In 2002, common sense finally prevailed and the pole was pulled down and hauled away.

[doe]

Me Too

[Bonnie & Al (from cruise- Qualic]

Well, you made it to the Alter, did you "do it"!!!!!

[DebP]

I actually used to dream of living in a tree just like this as a kid.

[carolcooke]

Good thing his side mirrors turn in but I do think the crevasse you tried to squeeze through was a little smaller!!

[carolcooke]

Good thing you aren't trying to escape through that window!

[carolcooke]

That would be a perfect place to do it!

[carolcooke]

You do look a bit concerned! Not comfortable at all!