Visiting the Redwoods

In August I was able to take a week-long vacation with my friend Tami Burton to see the Redwoods in Northern California. We borrowed a tent from her cousin and camped out in Kalamath. On the way there we stopped at Peterson's Rock Garden, a volcano interpretive center and the Vortex.







On Tuesday, we arrived at the campground after dark. It was a little difficult to put the tent up, seeing as neither of us had ever done such a thing before, but after an hour we had it all together.

The next day we went to the nearby Ocean World. We got to pet star fish, watch the fish in the huge aquarium, see a baby seal in training and enjoy the sea lions' tricks. The highlight, though, was petting the sharks.







On Thursday we took the scenic tour down the Boulevard of the Giants. We enjoyed hiking around and taking lots of pictures. We wanted to visit a replica of Hobbits Town, but unfortunately it was closed with "No Trespassing" signs all over.







Friday we went to the Trees of Mystery. It was fun seeing the lightning shaped trees, enjoying the music at the cathedral trees where many weddings are performed annually, and riding the gondola over the forest. (At least I enjoyed that part, Tami got a little sick.)








On Saturday, we drove to Talent, Oregon, where my grandparents live. It was fun spending time with them and beating my grandpa at dominoes and cards. After speaking at Talent Friends Sunday morning and enjoying a potluck with the church, Tami and I drove to Newberg so that I could meet the next day with the rest of the Rwanda English teachers. It was a great vacation, but over too quickly.