Free Almost Trailside: A True Story by Kathy Rocco Page A

wandered over to the nearby gift shop and spent some time browsing, then took the walking trail through the tall redwoods that seemed to be so popular.
    The walking trail was flat, unlike the hike we did in the morning at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. There were many people on this trail; some with cameras taking nature shots of the beautiful and majestic stately old redwood trees, pretty little flowers, unique mushrooms, ferns, and birds.
    One serious young man was lying across the walking trail trying to get a certain camera angle on a particular mushroom. Other hikers stopped to look, but no one minded stepping over or around him.
    Soon we came upon a giant redwood tree that was attracting visitors to its huge open trunk cavity that youcould actually walk in to. It was like a little room in the woods but real dark inside with no light. Some of the curious toddlers and younger kids hiking with their parents ran into the tree cavity and just as quickly ran out screaming. We all went inside the tree cavity too, but it was too dark in there for me, so I didn’t stay inside very long.
    The rest of the walking hike was full of beautiful natural plant-life and tall grand redwood trees. It was a memorable afternoon of discovery in the forest that we all enjoyed.

    T
he Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad is a narrow gauge tourist railroad that starts from the Roaring Camp depot in Felton and runs up steep grades to the top of a nearby mountain, traveling a distance of 3.25 miles through a redwood forest or down the hill through the Henry Cowell Redwood Forest six miles to the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk. Roaring Camp is a re-creation of an 1880’s logging town. It operates trains every day of the year except for Christmas Day. The steam engines date from the 1890’s. They are the oldest and most authentically preserved narrow gauge steam engines still providing regular passenger service in the United States. The Park’s popular Redwood Grove walking trail, known to locals as “the loop”, circles 0.8 miles through tall Redwood trees which have stood well over a thousand years. A featured tree on “the loop” is the John C. Fremont tree, a tree hollowed out by fire that was once used as a resort honeymoon room
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    It was early evening when we arrived back at our campsite in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park to the pleasing smell of new campfires. We were surprised at the many travel trailers, small motor homes, and tent campers that had joined our section in the Park while we were away. The area was nearly full.
    Right away, Tommy started a campfire, and got the charcoals going on the grill. We wanted to eat dinner out on the picnic table but it was too cold so we moved inside our travel trailer to eat at the dining table where it was much more comfortable.
    Tommy carried in the small television from the back of the station wagon and hooked it up to see if we were lucky enough to get any reception. We did get two or three channels, not crystal clear but good enough to watch a little television while we ate dinner.
    I finished cleaning up the kitchen and stored everything securely. The boys happily were coloring and drawing at the table. Tommy was outside securing the awning and putting everything else away in preparation for the drive home. Tommy poked his head in to make sure he could disconnect from the water, electricity, and sewer hook-up. I told him to give me ten more minutes and then I would be ready.
    The new travel trailer allowed us to have all of the comforts of home while camping. We were able to shower or bathe in a real tub and use the bathroom right in our own travel trailer. I could prepare meals, do dishes, and have good hot water at my disposal any time I wanted it. The boys were able to read, draw, or play games. It was roomy, and comfortable, and the best purchase, ever, for our young family.

Chapter VII

    I t was Sunday, March 29, 1981 before 6:00 p.m. when we headed out of Henry Cowell Redwoods