Redwoods!

After a wonderfully beautiful journey down the Oregon coast, we arrived in northernmost California about 9 pm, to set up the trailer and separate tent camp after dark. We awakened in the redwood forest. Let me go back to the journey down! One grand (3.1) needed to have an ingrown toenail looked at. An antibiotic was given. Walgreens took more than 3 hours to get it prepared! We took advantage of being in a coastal town, and took the kids to the beach. 63* and windy was not my cup of tea, so I sat in the van while Becky and Ruby took the kids to the beach. I was ready with dry towels and water to clean sandy feet when they returned. We set off down the coast. The Oregon coast has GOT to be a bucket list destination. I saw a whale breach! That got the kids attention. We pulled into the next scenic overlook. God blessed us with a homeschooling family already there. The dad told us how to watch for whales spouting! ( got to love otter cracked. it changed " whales spouting" to " wholesale spouting "! We never got to laundry... and we were beyond needing to do it! So first thing on our day 5 adventure... Granny did laundry. Our beautiful Ruby cleaned the trailer. Becky oversaw showers. Ruby found Althea's missing shoes! They had mysteriously been put into a cupboard with trash bags and laundry soap! I don't know how to describe all the clean. It was wonderful. Everyone was showered. Wearing clean clothes. The van and trailer were sorted out and cleansed. ( cue the heavenly harps!) It was noon when we were done and set out to hike the redwoods. But first? Lunch! We got sandwich makings from a tiny grocery/ picnic supplies store. (Debated a restaurant... but the long, long line and $20 burgers sent us away!) We found a beautiful picnic table near Ladybird Johnson Redwood Grove. The kids had a wonderful time playing there. Then, we hiked to Ladybird Grove. (more harp music please!) Other than bickering among cousins about who "discovered" each and every redwood, and those other hikers who nastily remarked about "staying on the trails", it was a fantastic hike. ( We did stay on established trails. Not all were the main, broad trail. But all were obviously maintained side trails to examine each redwood up close.) Supper was hotdogs, ranch beans, and marshmallows around the campfire. Becky played her guitar. We talked about our favorite and least favorite parts of the day. (the kids hated the drive. The adults loved the drive!) Teeth were brushed, and we had a first! All the kids awake to be tucked in. It was a blessed day! *My apologies for the unstructured appearance of the posts. I put in paragraphs that disappear when it is posted. *