Crescent City, Jedidiah Smith, and a delayed Honeymoon

Many years ago, about a year after we were married, Russ and I finally got to take a honeymoon.  We left the kids with his parents, borrowed their truck and 16’ camp trailer and headed for the coast.  I was real excited because it would be the first time I had camped in a trailer that had a bathroom.  It didn’t matter that the “bathroom” consisted of a port-a-potty set on the floor of the clothes closet!!


We camped at Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park, just outside of Crescent City, CA  This was the last place we visited on our trip this year.  We have gone from Long Beach, Washington to Crescent City, CA, driving the entire route on the coastal highway, a distance of about 382 miles.  It was a time for us to relax, regroup, and make some new memories, while remembering the good times of the past.

Crescent City has changed over the years.  When we were there in 1974, some of the remains of the 1964 tsunami still littered the harbor.  It has since been rebuilt, only to suffer extensive damage during the Japan tsunami in 2011.  In all, Crescent City has been hit by 34 tsunamis since a tidal gauge was installed in the city’s harbor in 1934.   Some caused no damage and others devastated the small town.  The harbor is also home to about a zillion seals and sea lions, and they all have something to say.


Crescent City is home to the Battery Point lighthouse.  This is still a working lighthouse used for private navigation.  The lighthouse keeper still lives in the residence at the lighthouse.  Tours are available but you have to plan ahead.  The lighthouse is only accessible at low tide.  Click on the link to read about the unique landmark.


A short drive from Crescent City and you are in the majestic redwood forests of northern California.  One of the best places to visit is Stout Grove.  We didn’t go there this time choosing instead to re-visit the place of our delayed honeymoon so many years ago, Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park.  Although there is a day use fee, the nice lady let us without charge in just to look around a bit.  The camping fee here is now $35 for a no hook-up site.  This is the picnic area is right on the banks of the Smith River.


The river hasn’t changed much in all those years!!  Guess it just keeps rolling along.  It’s a scenic river with crystal clear water but the bank is all rocky rather than sandy.


I put together a short video of some of our movies from 1974 and our pictures from 2013 – a span of 39 years for those of you who don’t want to do the math (you’re welcome, Paul).  Back then all we had was a silent movie camera – but at least we had color film!  Still shots are lost somewhere in the dozens of boxes of photos I have in a cupboard.  Someday I’ll sort through them..of course I will!!  In the meantime, here’s a little walk down memory lane.