12.24.2010 Evan's first visit of the majestic redwoods

Christmas Eve was partly cloudy, but dry, so I wanted to take Evan and his grandparents to see the redwood trees, it would be their first time.  We left home around 1:10pm and headed north on 280.  I was initially going to go Big Basin redwood state park but that would've been over an hour of winding roads and with 5 people in the car, wouldn't have been very comfortable.  So we went to Portola redwood park instead, which although still a long ride, would be less curvy.  Unfortunately, when we got to Portola park's front entrance, there was a sign that the park was closed.  It didn't explain whether it was closed for the season (winter) or permanently due to the State budget cuts, but it was closed.  So now what?  I decided to keep going on Alpine Rd all the way to Rt 1/ocean, and then head back via Half Moon Bay/92/280.  It would be much farther but not as much winding roads.  Another reason was that I remembered that we would pass by a fairly nice grove of redwoods right along the road itself (Memorial County Park).

Once we arrived at the park, we parked roadside and Evan's grandparents went to look at the redwoods while we fed Evan milk.  After he ate, we bundled him in a big white winter coat and took him to see the redwood trees, too.  Although one might believe that babies this small (3 months) won't know anything he's shown, I believe it will have made an impression on him and he may grow to love the redwoods without knowing exactly why.  When we showed him a small grove of trees by tilting him on his back so he could see up into the tree canopy, his eyes widened and seemed to be in awe of the forest.  Love at first sight perhaps :)

 After admiring the redwoods, we continued on Alpine Rd and then connected to 84 W until we arrived at Rt 1 along the coast.  We then drove north and stopped by the Half Moon Bay Ritz.  We walked around the hotel grounds which had a beautiful view of the ocean and nicely decorated for the holidays.  When we were able to leave, we heard songs from a bagpipe player, apparently hired by the hotel to help entertain their guests.  He played some Celtic tunes but then switched to familiar Christmas jingles, here's a little clip: