OUR REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK ROAD TRIP ~ A 6-DAY ANNIVERSARY ADVENTURE
When I first met my husband, it didn’t take me long to realize that he’s definitely into road trips! His theory is that if it’s somewhere he can get to in a couple of days, it’s worth all the headaches of an airport. I’ve learned to really love them too! It truly feels like an adventure to me, and that hasn’t always been the case.
We recently spent just short of a week road trippin’ to the Redwoods to celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary, and we had the BEST time. He’s got me hooked on all the positives…. being able to bring what you want no matter how much, and no worrying about luggage weight, just to name a couple. You can pack the car, leave when you want, stop when you want, and change plans along the way. We love going at our own pace.
Another perk is that if you plan your route right, there are some really interesting and fun things to see along the way. You truly do see and experience small town America. Getting there becomes just as much a part of the vacation as the destination.
DAY ONE ~ THE ADVENTURE BEGINS
We left our home of St. George and headed through Nevada, making our first stop at CATHEDRAL GORGE STATE PARK. This is exactly what I love about road trips… you can add little places to your itinerary that you probably would never see otherwise. It wasn’t very big, but it was spectacular! Super cool rock formations and slot canyons. We spent about an hour walking through the park, taking lots of pictures and video. You can actually camp in one of their 22 campsites. One thing to note: the bathrooms were super clean, which gets really important when you’re on the road!
From there we made our way through Tonopah and stopped at the famous CLOWN MOTEL. I’m not sure how I feel about this one. A little creepy and a little fun too. It certainly is one of those quirky roadside stops you have to see at least once, and I’m so glad we did!
We then stopped at a local drive-in JJ’s in Caliente for some good old-fashioned drive-in food for lunch. I have to mention here… there IS a way to make healthy choices when traveling. Choose grilled chicken as opposed to breaded and fried. Skip the French fries. Don’t eat all the bun or bread. If there’s a salad option…. go for that, or at least get one to split with your husband, and have it with your order. THERE IS A WAY!
I’ve really come to appreciate the charm or these small towns. There’s something so special about the local businesses and the people behind them. In many of these communities, these little shops, cafes, and diners truly help keep the town going…. which makes supporting them feel really good.
We eventually made our way to Carson City, Nevada, where we stayed for the night. We ate that night at BETSY’S BIG KITCHEN…. it was the typical small town diner. This was another place that felt old-time to me, sort of like out of a movie. I chose a veggie omelet…. not the best I’ve ever had, but it worked.
DAY TWO ~ SMALL TOWNS AND ON TO CRESCENT CITY
Day two was a long driving day….. lots of little towns, pretty scenery and nowhere we had to be at an exact time. We traveled through Susanville and McCloud. One thing I would highly recommend, which my husband is very good at, is to take plenty of breaks from driving. Stop at the lookout points, stop at the markets to get a fresh drink, or….. find the CUTEST COFFEE SHOP for a treat!
In McCloud, California, we happened to run into SOJOURN COFFEE. It was such a fun stop, very delicious cookies and fun atmosphere. We each ordered a smoothie (which I should have skipped only because it was more calories I didn’t need). I had a molasses cookie that was seriously INCREDIBLE and Lorin had a sweet roll and loved it too!
Our final destination that day was Crescent City, California, which would be our home base for the next couple of nights while we explored the Redwoods.
DAY THREE ~ OUR FIRST FULL DAY IN THE REDWOODS
There truly is no way to explain how it feels to stand underneath those gigantic trees. We visited TREES OF MYSTERY that first day…. our very first stop. It ended up being my favorite place of the entire road trip! It was such a fun way to experience the area. I loved walking across the suspended bridges from tree to tree, taking in the views from the gondola ride, and reading the signs along the way explaining the different points of interest. It gave us such a unique perspective of the Redwoods and was the perfect way to start our time there.
Next we went through the famous drive through trees. Honestly this was kind of hokey. I wouldn’t recommend it. Even for $20…. it isn’t worth it! We made a stop along the coast and as always with the ocean…. loved the sounds, smells, and scenery! I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of the beach… it always feels so good to be near the water.
HOWLAND HILL ROAD was absolutely stunning! It’s a dirt road but wasn’t dusty at all. You get very close to the redwoods and it’s just gorgeous! This 10-mile road was once a stage coach road. Most of Howland Hill Road is narrow, and recreational vehicles, trucks or vehicles with trailers are too wide. Allow an hour to drive the length of the road. It’s located inside Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. There are lots of trailheads along the way, but parking and pullouts are limited. We chose to just do the drive, which was plenty of beauty for us!
That evening at sunset, we walked out to the BATTERY POINT LIGHTHOUSE. It was beautiful and a fun place to watch the sun go down. Always check the tides so you don’t run into any surprises! And finally, a seafood dinner at the CHART ROOM RESTAURANT.
DAY FOUR ~ THE “SHORT” HIKE THAT WASN’T SO SHORT
This may be the day we remember the most!
We started out by driving the scenic NEWTON B. DRURY SCENIC PARKWAY. It winds right through gorgeous old-growth redwood forest. The parkway is about 10 miles long and is one of the most beautiful drives through the parks. This was definitely worth it! We stopped at one point, to do a mini-photo shoot with my famous lace jumpsuit. What better backdrop than the gigantic redwoods for this time around…. I get it out every anniversary for some pictures. It will always hold such sweet memories for me.
The LADY BIRD JOHNSON GROVE was next, and like everything else, it was breathtaking! This is a 1.5 mile loop and easy enough for anyone. It’s a popular walk in the redwoods because it’s on the southern end of the park. The grove was dedicated in 1969 by President Richard Nixon in honor of the former First Lady and her work promoting conservation, environmental protection and the beauty of America.
Then came the TRILLIUM FALLS. Oh my goodness! This is where our trip got interesting! After reaching the falls (which were nothing too grand), Lorin suggested that instead of turning around and going back the way we came, we should just take the loop. Okay. Sounds easy enough. About ten minutes later I said, “This doesn’t feel right. We’re going higher and deeper into the forest!” He insisted we keep going. So we did. And we walked, and walked, and walked.
At least an hour and a half later, with NO WATER and NO SNACKS, we finally made it back. I was legit worried about his stamina and about our daylight. By the end of that loop, I had more than 21,000 steps, although about 8,000 of those were from my workout that morning. Needless to say, WE WERE EXHAUSTED. We went straight to a little deli cafe and had soup and sandwiches, which at that point may have tasted like the best meal of the entire trip!
For reference, the National Park Service lists the Trillium Falls Trail as a roughly 2.5 mile loop…. so yes, taking the loop is quite different from simply walking to the falls and turning around. Lesson learned? Even when somebody says it’s a short hike, BRING WATER!!
DAY FIVE ~ TAKING THE LONG WAY HOME
We left the redwoods and started making our way back towards Utah, spending the night in Reno, Nevada. Part of the drive followed the river and all the twists and turns started making me a little motion-sick. I do have that tendency. Lorin kept saying, “This would be an awesome ride on my motorcycle!” My husband is never in a hurry, so we took plenty of breaks to grab some food or even to just stretch our legs. That’s part of the fun of road trips.
DAY SIX: HOME TO ST. GEORGE
On day six, we made the final drive home to St. George. No matter how long I’m gone, when it’s time to come home, I’m always ready. We first celebrated Lorin’s birthday at breakfast at the casino restaurant which was actually very fun! Can’t remember the name, but would definitely go again!
We came home tired, happy and already talking about where we should go next. This trip was such a reminder to me that you really don’t have to fly somewhere exotic to have an incredible adventure. There is SO MUCH to see all around you.
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We’ve decided that this needs to become our anniversary tradition. Every year, we’ll pick a destination, and plan out all there is to see along the way. We have a couple of ideas we’re on to, so we’ll see next fall. The highlights of this trip….. of course the gigantic trees towering over us, but also the “short hike” that turned into 21,000 steps, the cookie, and the hours in the car talking to each other about EVERYTHING!
