Saying Goodbye to Westwood, CA!
Westwood, A Former Logger's Town
From July 27th to August 3rd, we stayed in a former logger’s town, Westwood, CA. We loved our private, spacious Airbnb with a little backyard where Hemmes could roam. And while the heatwave seemed everywhere, we enjoyed the cooler temperatures at 5000 feet altitude during the day and at night.
Paul Bunyon and Babe the Blue Ox
On our last two days in town, we walked around the area and saw a massive statue of Paul Bunyon and Babe the Blue Ox. We already had seen the marker at the city limit, “Westwood, CA, the town Paul built.” Now we learned who Paul was. Paul Bunyan and Babe, the Blue Ox are both myths. Paul is said to be a giant, an American hero, and a lumberjack. He came to town in early 1900 when the Red River Lumber Company moved to Westwood, CA. According to American folklore, he shaped the country’s landscape with his big hands, feet, and axe, creating the Rocky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, the Great Lakes, and the Mississippi River. I am even more curious about Paul now and want to read some of these children’s books! 🙂
Date
Thursday, August 3, 2023
Distance
265 miles
Moving Time
about 6.5 hours
Weather
Sunny and Clear