The Redwood forest in Northern California is one of the most magical places I have ever been. I had been looking forward to visiting again for a long time. We drove along the scenic Avenue of the Giants and the road twisted to dodge grand trees. This one you could walk through. We took a brief break and found this hallow log, and like all little boys Eli carried a stick as he inspected his surroundings. At one point he wandered just slightly up hill from the road, and I followed him. I took a couple photos of the sun coming through the trees.
Suddenly I heard a snorting, growling sound. Panic and set in and I grabbed Eli by the arm, shouted "Bear!" at my husband down the hill and dragged him towards the car. The keys were in my pocket of course, and fortunately no animal pursued us. I realize now that if it was a bear, running could have made our situation worse...it is not the advised behavior. You're supposed to shout and make yourself seem big for the type of bears in that area. (I'm not sure it was a bear now, maybe an elk perhaps. But it was definitively an animal, and the sound was unfriendly...).
The next day, our visit was rudely interupted by Mother Nature, and the park was closed for visitors with the anticipation of a significant winter storm moving through the parks. It's hard to explain the disappointment since the redwoods are in an extremely remote area. It was the first rain we'd experienced on the whole trip. But we carried on Highway 101, through a treacherous rain and wind storm and enjoyed beautiful vistas of the Oregon Coast while we drove.
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