Trip to Jurassic Park...Sort of

On our 10 year anniversary most of you know that we went to Northern California (Mendocino County). I shared some pictures but I didn't get to post the incredible Pygmy Forest photos & info. I found it so interesting that these trees could be so old and yet so small.

So we left our ocean view cottage


We drove approximately 5 min. to the VAN DAMME STATE PARK (Fern Forest & Pygmy Forest)~We felt as though we had stepped directly into Jurassic Park. Every tree was covered with moss & the entire mountains were full of large, exotic ferns.

Pulling in to the Forest was just breathtaking!

This is the river along the path before you get up into the steeper trails.



If you hike through the fern forest you eventually come to the Pygmy Forest.

DOUBLE CLICK PICTURE TO READ

This is the moss that protects the soil...

Causing what should be enormous trees to become dwarfed.



To protect the soil, they built this walkway that takes you through the forest. The further you travel along it, the older & smaller the trees are...(Anthony checking things out).

Time to head to our next destination~Mendocino

Travel To Mendocino County

I'm feeling a little better tonight...thought I just had a migraine, but turned into the stomach flu (yuck!). Slept most of the day and it was the perfect day for it...rainy.

I was able to get some of my Mendocino Anniversary Pics up. But I still need to tell you about the funny stuff that happened~I'll post that when I'm feeling a little better.

This is where we stayed-Little Rock, CA~Mendocino County

10 yr. Anniversary/New Year's Eve Dinner

Anniversary Night Out

Beach in Little Rock, CA

Leggett, CA



Surprised to find this giant Chess set on the property where we stayed

Fort Bragg~Trying to scare my Hubby, he turned around & caught me!

Drive up to Mendocino~Pic of a Winery


Fort Bragg, CA

Practicing his model pose

Leggett, CA (My hubby being a dork)

Inside the middle of a hollowed out Redwood

I leaned my head on the tree & then got scared there might be ticks on it (I'm lookin for those little buggers!)

Leggett, CA Drive-Thru Tree


We'll definitely go back...it's just breathtaking!

Trip to Mendocino

I've only been able to get a few pics up of our Anniversary trip to Mendocino County...here's a preview. I still have some picture stories to tell once I get those downloaded.



Stopped to take this pic on the drive up

Fern Forest on the property where we stayed

View after walking out of the forest

Trail down to the beach

First beach view

Relaxing on the property

Property that we stayed at.

Beach view

Relaxing view

This place is a MUST SEE!

The Countdown-One More Day!

It's almost here...I'm so excited, I only have one more work day this year. We leave on Wednesday for our 10 year anniversary getaway! It's very rare that we ever get away. We have so many kids that we always have something going on. My friend Debbie is staying with us right now since she moved here from Chicago. It makes it a lot easier to get away...we won't have to find somewhere for the kids and our dog to stay.

Here is a picture of some of the places we are going to visit & stay:









How gorgeous is that...I CAN'T WAIT TILL WEDNESDAY! I'm taking three memory cards for my camera...hope it's enough!