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What did you do this week (and weekend)?
As part of a weekly series, these topics are a place for users to casually discuss the things they did — or didn't do — during their week. Did you accomplish any goals? Suffer a failure? Do nothing at all? Tell us about it!
I've been camping in the redwoods in NorCal for the last 7 days. Leaving tomorrow is going to be hella difficult. I'm not ready to go back to work.
So, here's the deal. I'm being gifted a free trip sometime next month. The destination is basically anywhere that I pick. I've been considering Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska, but I also would like to see the redwoods; there's some magical allure to them.
Anyway, I'm experiencing option paralysis, convince me to pick the redwoods. Or if you have any stories or know about any other amazing places in the U.S. please tell me. This feels like a once in a lifetime type of thing considering that I'm not a well-traveled person (in my opinion) and haven't left my home state in years. For context I'm a nature boy but I also like the ability to just walk into niche shops and find random curios.
I would think about which place would be harder for you to get to. The redwoods are magical, but a flight to California is easier to pay for than a flight to Alaska.
Redwoods are mystical. There are state parks as well as national
Never been to Alaska, but I'd like to throw in the Grand Canyon into the mix if you've never been. Redwoods and Sequoias are magical too of course, but I've never been as blown away as I was standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon and seeing it extend literally as far as your eye can see in pretty much any direction. The most pictures-don't-do-it-justice place I've ever been too (Versailles too, but that's not in the US). Been years since I went there yet I still remember the feeling of awe.
On the first full day I texted my friend a picture of the forest and told her that exact spot is what I picture as my heart space during her sound baths. I was so afraid something would have changed in the 30ish years since I'd been there but it's still as magical as I remember! My brother's and I immediately decided we're restarting the tradition and going back every summer!
My family stays at Cotillion Gardens RV park in Felton. They have little cabins too as well as RV and tent spots, and I've heard sometimes you can get a last min reservation. If you want to camp, there are companies nearby that will drop off and pick up an RV. My in-laws did that this trip and it was easy. I'm throwing this Hail Mary out there because if you can get a reservation, you'll be staying right in the middle of the forest surrounded by redwoods. You roll out of bed and go for a hike! There are also hotel options around town and it's a quick drive to the forest.
There's a river that runs through the redwoods in Felton. There's a spot called the Garden of Eden that has a sandy beach and calm water to swim in. There are other calm and shallow places to swim, but they don't have the sandy beach.
Henry Cowell State Park is a 10 min walk through the forest from the campground. It has some of the oldest and largest redwoods in the area. I thought the size would change since I haven't been there since I was about 10, but they're still just as massive, if not bigger than I remember! There are a few burned out trees that you can crawl into. It's fun to get into the middle of a living tree!
Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad essentially shares a parking lot with Henry Cowell, so super close. It's a cute/ fun little tourist trap. There's a general store, BBQ place, and 2 train options. We did both this trip. You can take an 1880s steam train up the mountain into the redwoods. You get an awesome view through the forest and out to the ocean. There is also a fairy circle of 9,000 year old redwoods at the top of the mountain! They also have an old diesel locomotive that will take you down to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.
Santa Cruz is a 10 min drive or 1 hr train ride from Felton. It's a fun, chill, laid back, hippie beach town. Lots of good and local food. The roller coaster on the boardwalk turns 100 this year and it's only $1 to ride every Wednesday for the rest of the year. It's a 2 min ride and I laugh/screamed the whole time! Don't be afraid of the line; it goes fast.
You're an hour drive from Monterey. They have one of the best aquariums! If you know Steinbeck, the aquarium is in Cannery Row. It's a cool historic area where they used to can fish right at the waterfront.
Pebble Beach and Carmel are are a 5 min drive from Monterey. Two of the richest zip codes in the country. It's fun to drive around and see how the other half lives! Lol
Ok back to the redwoods. I can't think of another plant as awesomely massive. They are the tallest trees in the world and they only grow along the Oregon and northern California coast. I feel so lucky to live only 6 hours from them. It's really hard to get an actual idea of how big they really are with all the other giant trees around. The Giant in Henry Cowell is 27 stories tall. Stories! You look up and realize you probably can't see the top because of the branches and that means the thing just keeps going even higher! It is very awe inspiring. There are so many of them and the air is so fresh, that it just smells better up there.
I know there are other good spots for redwoods too, I just know Felton and the surrounding area the best. I've heard the forest around Ft Bragg is also pretty cool. They have the Skunk Train that takes you through the forest. I've never been, but it's on my list!
Oh wow. That was a lot. I just got home an hour ago and clearly I'm still on a vacation high lol. I really hope I convinced you to go. If not this trip, at least start planning for next year!
Sat around, did laundry, mostly. My oldest had a stomach bug, so he spent most of the week vomiting and having diarrhea, which meant we just stuck at home all week. Normally my kids will play with the neighbor kid, but even that was off the table for obvious reasons.
But today, I'm flying out to Dallas for (VCF Southwest), which should be fun? Sitting on a plane right now, waiting to take off.
School has been a rough grind this week, especially now that my job is starting to pick up the pace. I think I'm doing roughly double of full time this summer semester (4 classes), but only two more (probably still rough) semesters after this one.
Home server also decided to crash on Sunday, so I'm going to try to get that back up again now that I've done some work to recover a handful of files.
Dredging through mud, mentally, to apply to jobs. Also reconnected with some old friends, though, fortunately.
Also been planning a conference that I'll be going to this September, where I may find a job. Very much looking forward to that.
Following on this topic (thank you to all who contributed!), I received and assembled a Ride1Up Prodigy V2 e-bike yesterday. The packaging, components, and instructions video were very thoughtfully optimized for efficient shipping and ease of self-assembly.
I was elated that my hands have been doing well enough that I only needed extra leverage from a crescent wrench at one point in the assembly process. The only disappointment is that the battery took the rest of the day to charge, and I won't get to test drive the new toy until I return from a work trip this week.
FYI for those considering e-bikes - the final decider for me was an impending U.S. tariff increase on Chinese batteries and parts.
I ran my first half marathon today! My time was 2:20:41 according to my watch - official time is probably a little slower on account of me having tech issues in the beginning.
It's definitely not fast but I was impressed with myself for keeping it going for so long, despite some hip pain and a nasty side stitch I carried for about 7 miles. Definitely looking forward to improving on things and going again next year!
I got a taller handlebar for my KnowPed, GoPed's rather nifty kick scooter. I had to rotate the hinge 90°, but it works fine. I couldn't get the handlebar grips or securing strap removed so I used a bit of paracord to keep things together and got some blue grips to match the chassis. It's more comfortable to ride. I also found that all the bolts I touched shredded, which just seems to be a thing for OEM hardware, and is annoying.
I got my Steam Deck ready for some dogsitting this coming Sunday to Wednesday, when I will be at my brother's. I'm looking forward to the change of pace and hanging out with my furry little nephew. I also packed some music gear, my Polyend Play+ and Tracker, plus my 1010 bluebox to record anything fun I may hit on the Play.