Redwoods National Park

 One of the places I had been excited to see on this entire trip was Redwoods National Forest. Fun fact: Sequoia National Park and Redwoods National Park are both made up of Sequoia trees...there's just different species of Sequoias. But they're both huge and absolutely wonderful to walk amongst. 

Stops along the way demanded this one at the beach. I feel like my 6 year old looks 16!

One of the great things my mom found for us was a place called Trees of Mystery. It's an educational park in the midst of the redwood trees that has a ton of great activities. We enjoyed the "walk" through the tree tops, posing with Paul Bunyan and chair lift. 

 

This tree trunk is showing the monumental events in history and where they would be marked on age (rings) of the tree.

Naturally, a stop in the National Park was a must. And Junior Rangers became official here as well! One of the highlights of this park was an educational tour of the forest by this park ranger. Told us all about how these trees have to be at least 1.25 miles from the seashore, what happens and does not happen to them in a fire, how each tree when they fall to the ground goes to help feed and support new trees in the forest. We became lovers of forests and trees. Beautiful! This first picture is showing an elk rack that had grown into the tree or I should say the tree grew around the rack.

Lassen Volcano

 The drive from Lake Tahoe to Lassen Volcano National Park was longer than we were used to and with mom and dad having their own car, this provided Caroline a spot with them and Titus a spot on the seat of the truck. Turns out he's a good pillow for Gray-man.

As per our usual routine, we did the Junior Ranger program at Lassen. This time Honey and Poppy Tony got to do the teaching!

My dad, who is an avid hiker/back packer said that Lassen Volcanic was one of his favorite national parks and hikes he's done and we hadn't even heard of it before this trip! 

There were sulfur pools and bubbling mud from the earth, as well as beautiful emerald lakes to swim in. Purple wild flowers lined the trails with landscapes filled with layers of mountains the amazing pine trees that look like those you see in Dr. Seuss.