Trees of Mystery

History

Paul Bunyan is a lumberjack in American folklore. The tall tale of Paul Bunyan implies he is superhuman and grew larger than humanly possible. He is accompanied by the blue ox named Babe. Paul Bunyan was first created by the oral tradition of North American loggers. “However, he was later popularized by freelance writer William B. Laughed in a 1916 promotional pamphlet for the Red River Lumber Company.” After that, Paul Bunyan’s popularity grew exponentially. He is now known as a symbol of the American lumberjack.

It has been argued among historians if Paul Bunyan was a real person. Paul Bunyan was believed to be based off a French-Canadian logger named Fabian "Joe" Fournier. It is argued that the exponential growth of Paul Bunyan was due to the advertising of a rugged hard working American logger. Once Paul Bunyan's popularity exploded there was no stopping it. The rest is as they say history.

The owners of the trees of Mystery have a commitment of over 70 years in the business. They do it all simply for the love of these beautiful trees. For the owners of the Trees of Mystery the favorite part of it all is to meet the people who have traveled all over the world to look at there collection of trees and sites. The joy that children express seeing some of natures most beautiful trees, and the giant statute of Paul Bunyan and his faithful ox Babe.

Attractions

Located on the ocean front Klamath, California is a tourist destination. The site seeing includes places like the Trees of Mystery along with the Tour Through Tree that is also located in the Redwood Forest and many lookout points. The attraction also features The End of the Trail Museum, a large private collection of Native American art, crafts and tools.

Skytrail

In 2001 an aerial tramway was installed called the Skytrail. The Skytrail takes you on a 1/3 mile ride through the forest and allows you to see parts of the park from a different point of view. It takes visitors to an observation deck where they can enjoy a view of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding forest. The Trees of Mystery marks the place where the Redwood Trees meets the ocean.

Klamath Mountains

Klamath also features a Mountain range called the Klamath Mountains.This makes this city a destination for many campers, hikers and travelers.

About the Trees

Redwood trees have been on the planet for over 240 million years. Each tree is able to live up to 2,000 years long. You are likely to see these trees stretching across miles upon miles of land near the coastline. Another name for these trees is the Coast Redwoods because they need this specific climate of dry coastal air in order to thrive. With the right amount of water preserved these trees are able to grow two to three feet each year. They are classified as a conifer and are known as one of the fastest growing of this kind. Redwood's roots can travel as far as 100 miles underground intertwining with other roots along the way.

Specifically at the Trees of Mystery attraction there are many different special trees to make sure that you visit including The Brotherhood Tree, The Cathedral Tree, The Candelabra Tree and The Elephant Tree. Each specific tree has unique features that stand out above the rest giving them their names. The "Cathedral Tree", nine trees growing in a semicircle out of one root structure, is sometimes used for outdoor weddings. The "Brotherhood Tree" was given its name because its massive size. It reaches 19 feet in diameter, 60 feet in circumference and is 297 feet tall. The "Cathedral Tree" is most commonly known because it has created a semi-circle out of a tree that fell and sprouted in different sections. A "Candelabra Tree" is known because it is shaped like a candle stick, this tree also fell down resulting in the tree sprouting different trees out of the original tree. The "Elephant Tree" simply looks like an elephant trunk with multiple limbs branching off of the initial stump.

If you want to take a piece of the forest home with you, you can purchase a seed at the gift shop towards the end of the trail. Redwood trees are still able to grow outside of their normal habitat but are not promised to grow to the extensive mass in which they do in the Redwood Forest.

Minnesota

There are similar sites through the nation about the tale of Paul Bunyan with statues like the ones at the Trees of Mystery. Minnesota is home to multiple attractions and parks because the state of Minnesota claims that Paul Bunyan was not born in Maine. The towns of Bemiji and Akeley both are both examples of these other places.

Akeley, MN has a Paul Bunyan Historical Museum with their own version of the tale. Roadside America also states that Akeley claims it is home of the largest statue, yet the Trees of Mystery and the statue in California is by far larger in comparison. For much of Minnesotans, they celebrate the folklore year round by sporting plaid, though the official National Paul Bunyan Day falls on the 28th of June.

Other sites, such as Paul Bunyan Land and the Mall of America, have attractions to teach and share in the fun of the children's like Trees of Mystery do. Both sites contain fun amusements such as a talking statue and log ride.

Maine

In a feud with Minnesota, Maine too has Paul Bunyan sites that celebrate his birth. And not only does Maine consider themselves to be the start of the lobber industry but has their own folk tail of how Paul Bunyan came to be. Banger, Maine is where the 31-foot tall statue of Mr. Bunyan rests to mark his birthplace. The culture that is the tall tales of a fictional character is just as strong in Maine as it is in Minnesota and California.

Where to Travel Next

The following travel destinations are located around Los Angeles, California for anyone that is in the area of the Trees of Mystery. Solvang Restaurant in Solvang, California is a great place to experience Danish history and indulge in classic Danish desserts. Such desserts would include jam-filled donuts and Æbleskiver, which are pretty much cream puffs just more of a pancake consistency and they don't put cream in them.

Another stop to take while touring northwest of Los Angeles, California could be The Cold Spring Tavern if travelers are interested in classic romantic sites. The tavern is over a century old that was originally a spot where people would stop to rest their horses and replenish supplies. Motels are common rest stops or gas stations have become the modern time taverns, but The Cold Spring Tavern is traditional and a place to stop if you are looking to step away from the present.

There are many other stops worth traveling to, so for further help and ideas on planning a California road trip searching ideas between Los Angeles and Klamath would be of further help.