Trees of Mystery - Klamath, Calif.

For more than 50 years, the Trees of Mystery in northern California has been a favorite stopover for many travelers driving along U.S. Highway 101. (My first visit was back in the mid-60s.)

This attraction sits in the center of Redwood National and State Parks. The 49-foot-tall statue of mythic logger Paul Bunyan and his 35-foot sidekick, Babe the Blue Ox, welcome visitors and stand guard over the entrance to the park.

This is a super family destination where folks of all ages can stroll among some of the most awe-inspiring ancient trees in the world. A paved trail winds through the forest, past remarkable old-growth trees that resemble candelabras and cathedrals. Don't miss the giant, 2,000-year-old Sequoia.

In 2001, the park added the handicapped accessible Sky Trail gondola ride that glides 1,570 feet (one-way), at times more than 500 feet above the forest floor and ends at a breath taking ocean and forest view point. (There is a shuttle to the Sky Trail loading area for those who cannot easily walk the trail.)

RVers will appreciate that pet companions on leashes are welcome on all the hiking trails and gondola ride.

The free End of the Trail Museum, attached to the gift shop, is said to be "one of the largest privately owned world class museums there is." Allow at least 1/2-day for this stop on your RVing itinerary.

Details:
Trees of Mystery
15500 U.S. Hwy 101 N
Klamath, CA 95548
36 miles south of Oregon and 360 miles north of San Francisco
Hours: Open every day except Christmas
(800) 638-3389 to double check current hours
General admission: $15 (13-59); Seniors: $12 (60+); Youngsters: $8 (6 to 12); Children 5 and under: Free
URL: www.treesofmystery.net

Photos: Top: Paul Bunyan and sidekick Babe the Blue Ox at Trees of Mystery. Middle: Cathedral tree. View from Sky Trail. (Julianne Crane)


Read more by Julianne Crane by clicking on RVWheelLife.

City of Rocks: New Mexico's fantasy town of nature-sculpted rock formations

At the apex of a triangle formed by Deming and Lordsburg, Silver City is the gateway to the 3.3-million acre Gila National Forest, sixth largest in the US and one of the most remote in the Southwest.

Halfway between Silver City and Deming lies City of Rocks State Park, rock formations that over the last 30 million years, give or take a few, have been sculpted by wind and rain into bizarre shapes and configurations resembling a fantasy world of city streets, houses, alleys, courtyards, and towers--features limited only by your imagination.

You can also find typical Chihuahuan plants in the park’s desert botanical garden as well as deer, javelina, pronghorns, coyotes, and jackrabbits. Hiking trails wind through the formations for exploring the crevices and caves--pottery shards and arrowheads from the ancients have been found here and continue to be found here.

Mysterious crosses etched on the rocks by Spanish Conquistadors are said to be clues to buried treasure, but don’t bring your shovel—no digging for treasure or artifacts is allowed. The campground has both primitive and hook-up sites but the closest supply point if you forgot your peanut butter is either Deming or Silver City.

This Las Vegas attraction has nothing to do with gambling

For RVers visiting the Red Rock area of Southern Nevada near Las Vegas the wild burros that hang out along the roadside have become a major attraction--and a major hazard.

Having realized that people will feed them, the burros often wander into the road when they hear vehicles approaching thinking it's dinner time. They are quite often right as people regularly feed them.

However in recent years, several have been hit by vehicles and have had to be euthanized. Besides the damage to the poor burro, think of the damage an accident with one of these large desert animals would cause to your RV.

Take precautions. Slow down when in the area, avoid driving at night, and be ready to stop quickly. And don't forget, there is a fine for feeding them.

In fact, it's a good practice that if you have to drive anywhere at night in wild areas, slow down and be especially on the alert for wildlife.

Explore the Minister's Treehouse in Crossville, Tennessee

The Minister's Treehouse is a sprawling structure built almost entirely by one man amid seven White Oak trees. It soars almost 100 feet high, includes around 70 rooms, and is truly a sight to behold.

Horace Burgess, a landscape architect and ordained minister, began this labor of love and faith in 1993 when he heeded a call from God to build the Treehouse. Except for about $12,000 in nails, which Burgess paid for, the structure is built entirely from donated and salvaged materials such as used lumber from sheds and barns, old furniture, discarded license plates, and doors and windows from landfills and demolition sights. Even now, 18 years later, the Treehouse is still a work in progress; Burgess plans to keep on building until he is no longer able to do the work.

The Treehouse encompasses an astonishing variety of rooms and features, including a spiral staircase, a chapel and choir loft with electricity, various balconies, twisting hallways, and seemingly endless nooks and crannies. For those who are particularly determined and hardy, the challenge is to make your way up to the belfry tower at the very top. Once there, be sure to ring the "church bells," which are actually a collection of 10 oxygen acetylene bottles. Oh, and enjoy the view!

The Treehouse is open to visitors during daylight hours and admission is free. If you visit on a Sunday and your timing is right, you can attend a church service in the Treehouse Chapel. Allow an hour to explore, but be aware that the Treehouse is not constructed in accordance with any particular safety codes, and so you visit at your own risk.

The Treehouse is located on Beehive Lane in Crossville, Tennessee. From I-40, take exit 320 and head north onto Hwy 298, making an almost immediate right at the stoplight onto Cook Road. Continue on Cook for about a mile until the road takes a sharp right. But don't take follow the road to the right... instead take a left onto Beehive Lane and drive about another 1/2 mile. Continue along after the pavement ends and you will see the Treehouse. Parking is available for passenger vehicles, Class B RVs and truck campers.