Monday, June 15, 2009

Our Trip to Humboldt

Two weekends ago, we went camping at Humboldt Redwoods State Park for my birthday. This year my birthday fell at about the halfway point between the end of the spring semester and the beginning of the summer session (a 6-week intensive). Last year we were in Germany for my birthday, so I knew I wouldn't be able to top that this year. I knew I wanted to relax during the short break between classes, so we booked a campsite at the Hidden Springs Campground for five days and four nights. Here's where we parked the car:

Humboldt Redwoods State Park

Then, you have to walk down a short path to the campsite.

Humboldt Redwoods State Park

It was very secluded, and you literally couldn't see the road or your camping neighbors to either side. The whole space was about 20 feet lower than the road.

Humboldt Redwoods State Park

We had a fabulous time hiking, cooking, and swimming in the Eel River:

Humboldt Redwoods State Park

Humboldt Redwoods State Park

There is nothing quite like sandwiches, chips, hard-boiled eggs, apples, and a couple of beers next to a serene river on a hot (but not too hot!) day. What a blast. I never realized how much I use knitting as a stress-reliever until now. I hardly knit at all (and not for want of projects: I took along the rainbow socks and Halcyon). We sat around and read books, made s'mores after dinner, and the significant other got to play with fire and engineer a rain flap for our picnic table. It was threatening rain on Friday night, but it cleared up later and we didn't really need it. It's hard to imagine that our governor is considering closing something like 80% of the state parks (and rather a silly idea, since increased fees could keep the parks open and patrolled, and closures would actually mean a loss of income for the state, not a net gain).

I was sad that the trip had to end, but it was so lovely to return to birthday wishes (both on Ravelry and in person)! The area was idyllic, and we will certainly be returning.

Humboldt Redwoods State Park

3 comments:

the Lady said...

Them's my stompin' grounds! Glad you had nice weather. That doesn't always happen.

Maia said...

Lovely! I haven't been camping in a long time. Maybe that should change . . .

Kim McLeod said...

Greetings from Canada. Looking to drive down the coast this summer, and not sure where to go. Humboldt looks fantastic, and we're thinking it won't be as crazy as Jedediah Smith park... Thanks for posting - Hidden springs sounds very nice.