This is part of our 100 Things in 2015 challenge. Here’s the full list.

If you ever took a road trip through the northern California redwoods as a kid, you know this place. It’s a landmark along 101, and it’s kind of silly not to stop there. The lumberjack was even interviewed on This American Life!

It’s entirely possible that I’ve been here too, but I don’t have any photographic evidence. Here’s Becky’s recreation of her 1984 visit with Paul, when she was just 8 (she’s sitting on his right boot in both photos):

We stopped here as the final point on No-Destination Road Trip 2015, and had a marvelous hike through the trees. The gondola is new to us, having opened in 2001, but it gets you to the top of the steepest trail, and the best view.

This is a great stop if you’re in the area, and well worth supporting with your dollars. The carvings are great, the hike is lovely, and, well, how can you not stop for the lumberjack? Highly recommended, but try to get here at opening time; the employees all said (and we noticed on our way out) that the crowds get bigger as the day goes by.