Destination 2: Crescent City, CA and Redwood Forest

Before I write anymore about our vacation, I just wanted to say how excited we were to go on this vacation. Our goal was to be able to see/do things we have never seen or done before. Everyone saved for a year to be able to go on it and to make this trip possible but it would never have been possible if it wasn't for family members who not only let us crash at their places and feed us but helped make these fun memories.
After we left Vera's we drove to the Redwood Forest and Crescent City, California (which is in the middle of the Redwood Forest). Thanks to the tips from Vera's friends that travel that area, we decided to take the most scenic route. It was amazingly beautiful.
It was Joe and the kids' first time in the Redwood Forest. I (obviously) love to see my kids enjoy new things but I especially love seeing Joe experience new things. Most of you know of his zest for life and watching his reaction to the things we saw was so much fun.
We were able to spend 2 nights in Crescent City which allowed us plenty of time to travel there from Vera's house and then enough time to see the sights in the area and do a few hikes in the Redwoods.
The Roosevelt elk that were right in front of us. Of course Joe and Tyler were in heaven!






































This beach was right on the edge of the Redwood Forest, just down the path from the visitor center.
Brenna writing her name in the sand






































The Redwood Forest






















































Another beach





























































There was this really cool historical lighthouse that I looked up online that I really wanted to go see. The biggest reason I wanted to go was because you had to walk across an inlet of the ocean at low tide to get to it and it looked so picturesque (and it was free). When we got there it wasn't low tide yet so we just took off our socks and shoes, rolled up our pants and walked across. Unfortunately after we got across we found out it was closed but we were able to walk around and look anyway. There is a lighthouse keeper and his wife that live there who we were able to talk to. After we got done the tide was low so the kids had fun turning over rocks to catch crabs and other sea life.

















































There was a fun little tourist trap about Paul Bunion that we stopped at. We didn't do any of the things that were available there but the kids had a good time joking with the giant talking Paul Bunion and learning a little bit about him and his pet bull, Babe.
If you look closely you can see the kids on his foot. That's how big he was!

Vacation: Destination 1

Considering the fact that I wanted to blog about vacation while I was there so I didn't have catch-up to do, it is way past time I blog about it.
Currently, though, I feel too overwhelmed and short on time and anxious, etc. to do much blogging.
Our first stop on vacation was my sister Vera's. She is THE aunt. Period. Want to know how great she is? She even blogged for me. Here.
We really had an amazing time. I love visiting her and so do the kids and Joe. I love to see how confident and strong and thriving she is and now that she has taken over the business it is ten-fold (in case you don't know, she is a mortician or funeral director and owns her own funeral home).
I love her home above the mortuary, her town and the people there. We were able to meet some friends of hers(a Harley-riding couple) who gave us some tips on the next leg of our journey. Stay tuned...