Coast to Coast Grandkids Tour - Redwoods NP (July 2011)

During our drive to Redwoods NP in Klamath CA, we decided to take a side trip step into the Pacific Ocean.  The water was quite chilly as well as the ocean breeze. 

A video of our Pacific Ocean encounter.

More than one hundred million years ago, redwood forests spanned much of the earth's northern hemisphere.  Since the ice age, however, these "living fossils" have returned to a few distinct regions of the globe.  We are very fortunate they live and grow in our country.

Most visitors know Redwoods National and State Parks as home to the world's tallest trees, many spanning over 300 feet in height.  It would have looked more real if Kathy actually had her left hand on the tree!

Here we are walking along the Lady Bird Johnson Grove, one of the most popular trails in Redwood National Park.

When you stand among these giants, you get a feeling of just how small we are compared to the giant Redwoods.  Many of these trees will live 1500 years.

In this picture, you can see just how wide some of the trunks can be.  This one is about 7-feet in diameter.  The bark on these trees can reach 12 inches thick or more. 

Coast to Coast Grandkids Tour - Mt St. Helens (July 2011)

At 8:32 a.m. on May 18, 1980 a 5.1 magnitude earthquake shook the site we are standing at triggering a massive explosion.  The Johnson Ridge Observatory was dedicated to USGS scientist David Johnson who was one of 57 people killed during the eruption.

 

This is the auditorium where you can see an outstanding movie that documents the events during Mt St. Helens eruption. After the movie, the curtains draw back slowly showing Mt St. Helens in her dormant slumber.

Here a ranger briefs visitors on each phase of the occurrence.  In 1982, the United States Congress established the 110,000 acre Mt St Helens Volcanic Monument to preserve a portion of the blast zone for scientists, educators and visitors.

Here we are for the start of our hike at the Hummock trail head.  The Hummocks are massive mounds of rock, ash, and mud that were piled unceremoniously around the floor of the new Coldwater Lake valley by the mighty blow.

OK, I'm not kidding who took my GPS!

Coast to Coast Grandkids Tour - Olympic National Park (July 2011)

A panoramic view of Hurricane Ridge. 

Is it real snow Ryan?  It's July and they still have snow on the ground.  This is definitely not Baltimore!

Kathy and the boys near the avalanche sign.  There was plenty of snow still in the mountains.

Jake and Kathy on the beginning of our Hurricane Ridge hike. 

You can see we transitioned from snow to dirt as we climb higher.  We did not make the entire hike as someone had to use the bathroom.

During our return trip a local friend stopped by to say "Hello".  The boys enjoyed the cool weather during our trip to Olympic National Park.

Coast to Coast Grandkids Tour - Whale Watching (July 2011)

At the dock with Ryan and Jacob ready to board our boat.  We booked our tour with Pudget Sound Excursions a local tour group from Port Townsend, WA.

The boys on the top deck ready for some action. 

Many Sea Lions and Calves resting on the shore.  They look like big stones.

Another tour ship that was also out that day.  Does it look like its leaning to one side? We sighted a couple of Minke whales which are locale natives in the area.

Click on the picture to enlarge. You can see the Minke whale off the right side of the boat.  We were sad that we did not see any Orca whales during trip.   Since the company guarantees you will see Orca's whales, they gave us complimentary tickets for a future tour.