Family Vacation -- Day 3

On our last full day of vacation we headed to one of my favorite places, Fern Canyon.  It is located inside the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.  As you enter the park you pass through Elk Meadow where you usually can see Elk (we saw one in the distance).  Then you head down a 6 mile unpaved road to get to the entrance to the Fern Canyon trail.  It is a beautiful, but slow drive up and down the steep road.  I enjoyed driving through the tall trees and the walls covered in ferns.

The canyon is truly a spectacular view.  It is green, lush, and majestic.  There are fallen trees all around to walk on and a stream that has to continually be crossed during the hike.  The canyon walls are blanketed with ferns (hence the name, Fern Canyon) and there are little waterfalls that trickle down the side.  It truly is one of the most beautiful places I have visited.

As we started our hike the sky looked dark and stormy.  We knew there was a chance for rain, so we were prepared with emergency ponchos.  We packed some snacks and set out for an adventure.  Along the trail we stopped for many photo opportunities.  I enjoyed photographing mushrooms, trees, and ferns during our hike.  Ava also took pictures with her camera.

Just when we decided to head back the rain started to come down.  Within a couple of minutes of packing up my photography gear it started to pour.  We huddled under a tree for a moment and put on our ponchos.  It was so much fun hiking back to the car in the rain.  We got soaked and cold, but it was definitely worth it.

Heading down the trail.  The Elk were in rut, so we told Ava if we see Elk to be quiet and still.  As we walked she kept shhhing us, so we wouldn't upset the Elk (which we didn't see on the hike).

Ava taking a picture of a mushroom.

Ava using her magnifying glass to check out a little mushroom.

Ava helping me set up to take some pictures of some mushrooms growing on a log.

This is the beginning of the canyon.

Rich helped Ava cross the stream many times.

Crossing the stream again.  Some parts were tricky.

Ava enjoyed walking on all the fallen trees.

Ava helping me not fall in the stream.

Me setting up to take some pictures of the trickling water.

Wet and cold, but having fun.  Rich had to carry Ava most of the way back because the emergency poncho was too long and she couldn't walk.  What an awesome daddy!

Me trying to stay dry.  My legs and lower arms were soaked when we got back to the car.  Sorry the picture is terrible.  It is with our phone and Rich was holding Ava.

On the way back we found a tiny little frog.