After I slept in and laid around for a couple of days, I remembered that I had to report in at the Marine Corps Reserve Center in San Bruno at 0600 on Saturday, July 17, 1965. That meant I only had a couple of weeks before I was back in uniform for the two-week Summer Camp of active duty which was an annual part of my 6-year reserve obligation. It struck me as a golden opportunity to see a part of the United States that I had not yet seen.

I pulled out a map and plotted a course due north through the states of Oregon and Washington – two on the remaining 4 states I had not seen yet. I filled my car with gas and picked up a road map of California. Back home, I pulled out the atlas and made a list of things I wanted to see starting with Northern California. The first place that caught my eye was Redwood National Park – home of the tallest trees in the world. The park was about 340 miles north of San Mateo, Califonia where I lived. Orick, California – gate way to Redwood National Park – seemed like a good and reasonable goal for day 1.

I did some organizing and light packing in preparation for an early start.

Still dark when my alarm went off, I bounded out of bed, threw on my clothes, grabbed my gear and got in my car, my trusty 1956 VW Bug. I hit some commute traffic on the 101 freeway and worked my way through San Francisco. The traffic thinned out as I approached the Golden Gate Bridge.  Most of the traffic was going into the city. The sun came out as I crossed the bridge. Snatching quick glimpses over my right shoulder, the city – the place I was born – looked pretty spectacular. I pulled off the 101 freeway into the North Point viewpoint at the end of the bridge. I got out of my car and soaked up the stunning view. I looked back at the iconic bridge I had just driven across. Pretty special.

Back in my car, I drove north on the 101 freeway. The 101 took me through Marin County, Sonoma County, Mendocino County and eventually I would be in Humbolt County. Traffic was light. Everywhere I looked, it was lush and green and a riot of wildflowers. Huge swaths of yellow mustard covered the sides of some hills. The orchards too were flowering.

I pulled off the freeway into a rest area to stretch my legs.  It was warm – t-shirt weather – and the air smelled fresh and clean. I ate some sliced roast beef which I had brought and an apple. The bottled water I had brought was still cool. Checking my Northern California road map, I figured I was about halfway there.

Back in the car and driving north, the countryside got more and more rural. Agricultural fields transitioned into rolling hills and oak trees. Then oak trees transitioned into evergreens as I continued to drive north. When I stopped for gas and walked around, even the air smelled like evergreen and felt moist.

When I pulled into Orick in the late afternoon, I discovered the town sat right on the ocean front. I started looking for a place with cabins that had ocean views. I found one in time to catch the sunset. Then I headed for dinner at a diner I had seen driving into town. The rural diner did not disappoint – home-made meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, and green beans. The generous portions filled me up.

Tummy full, lights out early, I slept like a log.

Up early on a foggy morning, I headed back to the same diner for breakfast. Their bacon, eggs and pancakes did not disappoint. Fueled up, I was ready to explore Redwood National Park and see some big and tall evergreen trees.

I stopped by the Visitor Center at Lady Bird John Grove and picked up a map of the various trails and the locations of the special trees. Being a weekday, the park was still pretty quiet. The fog seemed to mute any sounds even further. With no people and the fog, it almost seemed like a Zen space. I walked slowly and quietly, listening, breathing the moist, foggy air these massive trees have thrived on for thousands of years. The dirt trail wound among the massive trunks and lush ferns. The trail is a mile and a half round trip and a great introduction to Coastal Redwoods.

More ambitious is the Tall Trees Grove trail – a 5-mile trail with 800 feet in altitude change.

Two other groves and trails that give you a lot of bang for your buck: The Big Tree Wayside and the Stout Memorial Grove. As the name implies, the Big Tree Wayside leads to the Big Tree. As you can see from the photograph, this is truly a big tree. The other grove includes the Stout Tree. The Stout Tree is not only large, at 340 feet tall, it is one of the tallest trees in the world.

THE tallest tree in the world is the Hyperion at 380 feet tall. To protect this amazing resource, its location is kept secret.

Having backpacked in and around Yosemite National Park, I have seen most of the major groves in that area which includes the General Grant grove containing General Grant, the largest tree in the world. And in the nearby General Sherman Grove in the General Sherman tree, the second largest tree in the world.

The Redwood National Park has made me appreciate yet again California’s abundance of natural resources to those of us who enjoy the natural world.

Day one of my trip certainly seems to bode well for the rest of my exploration of the Pacific Northwest.

Your most precious resource is your body. In addition to first class protein, we need to monitor our health on a regular basis. When you go to my website TheJoeDillonDifference.com, go to my Online Store and you can order the most thorough blood panel at a very reasonable price. I do mine every 6 months. While at my Online Store, you can see and order the Ten Most Essential Supplements. Number one is Super Omega-3 Fish Oil. Why? It is your best source of DHA which is critical for a healthy brain and omega-3 which is the most powerful anti-inflammatory. Remember: put your own mask on first.

Start your day with a JDD protein shake like Joe!