Redwood Scenic Byway

     Our trip started in fog again this morning as we drove back up US101 to catch OR199 going east into Oregon.  The sun was out on the ocean for a short stretch so we had a chance for one last good look at the Pacific before we caught the road  called the Redwood Highway.  In places the big old trees grow within a foot of the road.  Some of them have chunks cut out so they won't catch on passing trailers and semi's.  The road is very dark  under the tree canopy and then very bright in the open areas - the sunlight and shadows are beautiful, but very hard on the driver.

    We followed the Smith River again for a long ways.  The water is very clear and I could see the rocks at the bottom even when the road was far above the water.  After a winding climb into the hills we came to Oregon's longest tunnel.  (A couple days ago we did the highest bridge in Oregon). I had already looked on the Internet to be sure that it was tall enough for us.  At the end of the tunnel we were out of the redwoods and had a nice drive to I-5. 

    Our GPS had routed us on Oregon 66 from I-5.  Rick had routed us on Oregon 140.  We have a book that is a directory of mountain roads which tells us how high the passes are, how steep the grades, and any other critical road conditions.  Oregon 66 was described as having three passes, but none of them were very high and the grades were not unusually steep. The pavement was described as smooth, but some of the road had sharp curves.  Sounded OK, so we decided to go with the GPS suggestions.  HMMM.  The road headed up through grassy foothills.  It became steep, winding, and was without shoulders or guard rails.  Hairpin turns, wavy road, crumbling edges.  Some curves were 15 mph curves.  Some places I could see down hundreds of feet with nothing but a bit of road between me and the bottom.  Rick drove very intently and I held my mouth shut so I didn't gasp or groan.  I was hoping he wouldn't have a sneezing fit.

    Eventually we found ourselves driving in high desert with ponderosa pines.  The road was still very curvy, but the dramatic drop offs were gone.  We got to the town of Klamath Falls (there are no falls) and checked into our campground.  This side of the Cascades is much warmer.  It is 88 instead of 68 here.  We didn't have a reservation so we are parked next to the trash dumpster.  But we ARE parked, Rick can catch a little relaxation, there are some nice tall trees and a good breeze.  This was a drive for our personal record books.   Time for a glass of wine and brats on the grill.