Bahhhh...Humbug (Mountain, that is)

As I write, we are finally in California!  We just rolled in from a ranger guided hike through an old growth Redwood forest.  My mind is officially blown.  I have a thing for trees, and this was one of the ones I was looking forward to meeting.  They definitely do not disappoint.  Not just the size and girth...but what they are able to survive.  Redwoods can survive forest fires!  Forest fires!  They also link roots to gain stability...and like ALL trees communicate through the roots of mushrooms.  Google that one if you don't believe me.  You can throw ice ages at them, tsunamis, drought, floods...on they go.  The acid in them that gives them their red color, also keeps bugs from eating them.  So what kills them?  Humans cutting them down, lightning strikes, and heavy wind.  BUT, allow me to back up. 
There have been two amazing Oregon state parks prior to today.  One was located about two miles in from the ocean in the midst of ancient sand dunes.  These dunes were insanely tall, and difficult to climb.  What is amazing is that it's the dunes that have created a bunch of small fresh water lakes just in from the ocean.  The sand slowly slid and cut off the water  flowing to the ocean, leaving great sandy beach, fresh water swimming lakes!  We spent a grand total of six nights playing in this "duney" state park (longest stay so-far).  Then it was onto Humbug State Park.  Humbug is the name of the mountain that overshadows the campground.  I was so thrilled that we all made it to the top with mild effort.  The hike was one of the longer ones we have taken with the kids that had any elevation to it.  Fiona and Ethan seemed to enjoy it top to bottom.  This campground was also located right on the beach...so the ocean walks were glorious.  We enjoyed our first family sunset together here.  Tangerine and powder blue that reflected in the ocean and on the wet sand...  I am sure the next entry will be full of tree pictures...or parts of trees.  Haven't figured out how to get a whole huge Redwood into one good shot.

How could I resist this photo moment?

I LOVE this picture!  I just kept walking toward him(with my finger on the shutter) until he decided I was too close.

One of many lighthouses we have seen on the drives to and from campsites.  All beautiful.  If you're into that sort of thing.

Can you see Fiona and Ethan crawling up the dune?

Serious dune jumping.

I'm not kidding.  It is seriously exhausting climbing these things.

O.K.  If you look closely you can see Scott and the kids as VERY tiny specs on the top of the dune.  Do you see how huge these are?

Fiona sewed me a handy bag for my crochet materials.

I got a kick out of the remnants of Scott's high/low tide lesson. (That's Fiona fishing off the pier.) 

No grizzlies to worry about...but now we have cougars.

This was at the base of Mt. Humbug.

There were great ocean look-outs.

The kids carved some acorn people at the top to leave behind for others who make the journey.

Fiona was here!

This is a view of Humbug from a distance.

Here is a great ocean image from a short hike we took in Port Orford.

Oregon, we will miss you.  Fiona promises to return.  Scott and I may retire here...Ethan says it's too far from family!