Words from Skrach

Last weekend (May 21st – 23rd) My family and I took a trip to the northern California Redwoods National park. Instead of doing a recap of all the events and highlights that we experienced in chronological order, I decided to do posts of points of interest and their history. During our trip we went to Garberville California which is located on the “Avenue of the Giants” which is also known as CA-101. On the Avenue of the Giants route there are so many places to stop with really awesome roadside attractions including 3 giant redwoods that you can drive you vehicles through. One of the attractions that we ran across during our adventure was the “One-Log House”. When we think of a one log house you most likely think of a singular log cabin like the one Abe Lincoln lived in. Well  when they use the term “One log house” They literally mean one log. Not possible you say? Check this out:

Historical Photos from digthatcrazyfarout.com

Crafted in 1946 from a 2100 year old redwood, this section of the tree weighed 42 tons and took 8 months of labor to hollow out a room 7 feet hight and 32 feet long. With wheels attached it toured the United States in its early years, then settled in redwood country, arriving at its current location  (Garberville, California) in 1999. Just like home: the inside is furnished with living, dining, and bedroom areas.

This famous Northern California attraction was the result of a three month search for the perfect specimen Sequoia Sempervirens, which was finally located near the town of Orick, in Humboldt County, California.  After felling this 13 foot diameter forest giant, Art Schmock and a helper needed 8 months of hard labor to hollow out the log into a room 7 ft. high and 32 ft. long, weighing about 42 tons.  His plan was to take it on a cross country tour to promote the redwoods. However its excess size caused highway problems. Its first permanent home was at Hurrin’s Shell Shop at Clam Beach, in Northern Humboldt County.  It then became a redwood knick knack shop at  Leggett, Mendocino County, just off of the Redwood Highway. During a sojourn in Phillipsville, it slid into decay until the current owners bought and lovingly restored it to a new life along the Redwood Highway.

This was a really awesome sight to see and experience. I was surprised because what you see on the outside makes the inside seem small but once you walk inside it really is pretty spacious. I was most surprised when I was able to walk inside and not hit my head on anything. I could totally see myself living in something like this. It was about 50 degrees F’ outside. Inside the temperature was more like 65F or so.  It was a great thing to see. I highly recommend it if you are up that way. Below are some historical photos along with some more photos of the exterior and interior with wonderful girlfriend posing pretending to be a tenant. Click on the photo to enlarge:

If you have the chance you must go take a trip to the redwoods and see all the breath taking views and magnificent trees. It is for sure something you should put on your bucket list. Here is the location of the One Log House:

705 US Highway 101
Garberville, CA 95542-8701
(707) 247-3717

Through the week or so I will be posting more of what we went and seen during our trip to the redwoods.

Thanks for reading,