I ran one hand along the boat, a single solid piece of redwood carved according to millennia of tribal custom. Then we shoved off into the river.
We were in California s Del Norte County, 40 miles south of the Oregon border and about five miles upstream from the spectacular estuary where the river meets the Pacific at a sand bar under jagged cliffs.
As we paddled upriver, then down, we kept an eye out for bees at Terwer Creek. Near Snake Rock, we looked in vain for the family of otters that sometimes shows up to say hello.
We spotted a crane in flight, then an egret and a kingfisher, and just a handful of other boaters. We drifted beneath the U.S. 101 bridge, which is guarded by two golden bear sculptures at each end.
Klamath River canoe trips showcase Redwoods, Yurok culture
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8 Iconic Spots For Photos In Grand Teton National Park And Jackson Hole
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The 10 Most Scenic Overlooks in U.S. National Parks Skye Sherman © Provided by Travel + Leisure Martina Birnbaum/EyeEm/Getty Images
America s national parks are filled with jaw-dropping views, but some are more scenic than others, offering magnificent, screensaver-worthy backdrops.
If you re after amazing vistas, but only have time to hit the highlights and head straight for that perfect shot, read on for the most scenic overlooks in national parks across the U.S.
1. Tunnel View, Yosemite National Park, California © Provided by Travel + Leisure Getty Images/Cavan Images RF
When it comes to scenic overlooks in California, it s tough to top the view just outside the Wawona Tunnel on State Route 41 in Yosemite National Park. Conveniently, there s a parking lot here, so visitors can pull over to snap a few shots of the beautiful vista no hiking required. From this scenic overlook, you can see some of the most iconic features of Yosemite National Park, i