- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- home style today articles
- home style today q&a
- traveling today articles
- traveling today q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
A Redwood Road Trip
Discover the Gentle Giants of Northern California
By Teri Brown
If you are going straight through the Redwoods, then following the highway is an excellent way to see the trees without getting too far off the beaten trail. Be forewarned though, 101 is oftentimes an extremely winding and narrow road. I saw many trailers and motor homes on the road, but they must have been driven by far braver people than I! For those of us wanting to get up close and personal with the redwoods it is easier and safer to take one of the many scenic drives throughout the parks.
One such drive is the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. This is a short alternative to 101 through the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. The parkway begins six miles north of Orick or four miles south of Klamath and is a stunning 10-mile drive through old growth forest. Though it's only 10 miles, chances are you will be compelled to stop, as we were, at one of the many trail heads. The trail we stopped at was short and well marked. The first thing that hit us was the silence. The trees must deaden the most common forest sounds such as birds and insects because the silence was almost heavy. Even my boisterous teenagers grew quiet as we walked through the forest in awe. The trees themselves defy words. "Magnificent," "glorious" and "immense" all fall short of describing how awe-inspiring these trees actually are up close. Some may grow up to a height of 367 feet and a width of 22 feet at the base.
My Tolkien-loving son decided this must be Fanghorn Forest and it was easy to picture hobbits and elves cavortingamong the trees. We even imagined we saw an Ent or two guarding the woods from harm. These are the woods of fairy tales and valiant deeds and it's hard to pull yourself back to reality as you climb back into the car. Other scenic turnoffs include Howland Hill Road in the northern part of the park near Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park and Cal Barrel Road, north of the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park Visitor Center.
