Good Morning


Jeremiah and I rise at 7:00am Pacific Time — and immediately head across the street to Starbucks because, well, coffee is the fuel of legends. Jeremiah takes the wheel for the next 3.5 hours, navigating 101 like a modern-day ranger leading a quest to Redwood National Park.

Misty mountain landscape with green meadow and trees under a dramatic cloudy sky.

Agate Beach


Just outside the park, we stumble upon a beach that stretches endlessly to the horizon, ending in a rocky cliff. The waves whisper tales of the Pacific, and the sea air is sharp yet welcoming, a reminder that this world is both wild and magical. Swimming is forbidden — apparently the ocean here has its own idea of mischief — but admiring it from the sand is reward enough.

Sandy path through yellow wildflowers leading to the ocean under bright blue skies.
Foggy coastline with waves crashing on a sandy beach beneath blue skies.
Scenic coastal beach with rocky cliffs and white sand under vibrant blue sky.
Grassy path through tall reeds leading to ocean view on sunny day.

Redwood National Park


Crossing the border into the park proper, our first stop is Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center. We swap our sneakers for hiking boots, snag a map, and pick up the park newspaper from the gift shop. Jeremy emerges with a long-sleeved gray shirt, and I choose a green short-sleeved one — our official adventurer garb.

Sunlit forest road winding through tall evergreen trees.

Lady Bird Johnson Trail


We turn onto Bald Hill Road, passing a gated area that looks like the lair of a secret woodland sprite. Undeterred, we make our way to Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail. The parking lot is tiny, of course, so we leave the car on the shoulder and hike downhill like intrepid explorers returning to a trail that calls to them. A bridge arches above Bald Hill Road, and from there, the magic begins.


Our first colossal tree is burnt through — a natural cathedral of charred wood. We stand inside it, arms outstretched, and still don’t touch the sides. Hugging these trees is like embracing a giant, gentle guardian of the forest. Sister trees grow entwined like old friends sharing gossip, and tropical-looking leaves with pink rhododendrons peek between the towering redwoods.


Then there are the “giant shamrocks” — only they’re not shamrocks at all. They’re Redwood Sorrels, with heart-shaped leaves showing off their pink undersides. Nature always has a trick or two up her sleeve, doesn’t she?


Fallen trees along the trail have been cut so you can walk between their trunks, a clever way to let nature decay naturally while still allowing adventurers like us passage. The loop is only a mile long, but the uphill trek back to the car feels like scaling a miniature mountain — the redwoods must be chuckling at our mortal legs.

Trail through redwood forest with fallen log and lush ferns in foreground.
White wild strawberry flower with bee approaching for pollination.
Trail winding through towering redwoods with dense ferns lining the path.
Pink rhododendron flowers bloom among vibrant green leaves in a garden setting.
Pink rhododendron flowers blooming in lush green forest setting.
Sunlight streams through tall evergreen trees in a lush forest landscape.
Sunlit moss-covered old growth forest with fallen logs and dense vegetation.
Towering redwood tree stretching up into forest canopy viewed from below.
Dark forest trail surrounded by tall redwoods and lush green ferns.
Ancient hollow tree trunk creating natural archway in forest setting.
Dramatic upward view of sun streaming through a hollow redwood tree trunk.
Close-up of a bright green sword fern frond against a dark background.
Massive hollow redwood tree trunk in lush green forest setting.
Someone hugs a massive redwood tree trunk in the forest showing its immense scale and size.
Vibrant green clover leaves with a small pink flower nestled among the foliage.

Lyon's Ranch


Next, we venture to Lyon's Ranch, an old sheep farm blocked off to vehicles. The barn and house are closed, but the meadow stretches wide, the perfect scene for a quiet picnic. We are the only two wandering this enchanted land, soaking in the solitude.

Rustic wooden barn stands against a backdrop of tall pine trees on a sunny hillside.

Elk of Bald Hill Road


The “mystery fenced area” from earlier reveals its secret: a herd of elk, including adorable fawns. Naturally, we stop so I can capture this magical wildlife moment — nature’s own little parade, framed perfectly for photographs.

Two young elk calves walking together through shallow water.
Young elk standing in sunlight on a sandy riverbank.
Baby elk calf stands close to its mother in a natural woodland setting.

Big Tree Wayside


Back on 101, we veer onto Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. At Big Tree Wayside, a sign points in various directions, cheekily announcing what you already know: there is, indeed, a very big tree. We giggle, because sometimes the simplest things are the most delightful.

Whimsical directional sign post with multiple arrows pointing to big trees in a forest.
Sunlit forest path lined with lush green ferns leads through towering trees.

Corkscrew Tree


Finally, we reach the Corkscrew Tree, our favorite of all the giants in the park. For a brief moment, it’s just us and the tree — a private audience with something truly ancient. Soon, another couple arrives, and we share photography tips and laughs before continuing on.

Majestic old growth redwood trees tower into the forest canopy.
Ancient redwood tree trunks stretch skyward in a misty forest setting.
Towering redwood trees reach skyward in a sunlit forest showing their massive trunks and textured bark.
Ancient redwood trees soar upward with sunlight streaming through the forest canopy.

Exiting the Park


Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway loops back to 101, and as we cross the Klamath River, we leave the redwoods behind, hearts full and minds buzzing with wonder. The road stretches on, leading us to new adventures, but the memory of these colossal, whimsical guardians will stay with us forever.