Road Trippin': California Redwoods

Standing inside a tree - Humboldt Redwoods State Park, May 2014

 In the middle of an epic road trip from Utah to Alaska, I stopped at Humboldt Redwoods state park in northern Cali for a few days. I wandered for hours upon hours through magical forests filled with these giant beauties. I quickly discovered that:

1) It's difficult to show the true jaw-dropping perspective of these massive trees when you are photographing alone (Eerily, I rarely encountered any other people on the trails).
2) It's easy to get lost out there. No, seriously.
3) It's about 30 degrees cooler and feels like dusk in the Redwoods, even in the middle of a sunny day.
4) The Redwoods make loud screaming noises as they creak in the wind, sounds like someone is being attacked. Deadly combo with #1, #2 and #3... :-)

This was my first time experiencing trees like this and I was so glad I made the detour. Definitely could have spent more time exploring northern California's numerous state parks.

 

 

Road Trippin' : Oregon Coast

May 2014: A few day whirlwind of sand dunes, surf towns, lighthouses, forests, and lots of PB&J

Heceta Head Lighthouse

Heceta Head Lighthouse

 

Skilak Lakes Rec Area: Hidden Lake, Alaska

Another amazing day of exploring Alaska's lakes via stand-up-paddleboard with Jennah Jones! Late October - a bit chilly (even in wetsuits) but Hidden Lake (about 2 hours from Anchorage) was beautiful, calm and pretty much deserted! Hidden Lake is a nice alternative to Skilak because it's more sheltered from the wind. We stopped to explore a little island and scoped out a nice paddle-packing overnight trip for next season :)

hiking in a wetsuit on an island selfie :)

Wolverine Peak

One of my favorite spots in the Anchorage front range, Wolverine Peak. 

October 2014

Distance: ~10 miles RT

Elevation: 4,492 feet (Gain: 3,500 feet)

Time: 2.5 hours run-hiking total

  

Pat (leaving me in his dust)

view from the summit

summit selfie!