Lyric discussion by binthderdonthat 

Cover art for Up Around The Bend lyrics by Creedence Clearwater Revival

You guys are close. The meaning is about traveling to California. "Catch a ride to the end of the highway And we'll meet by the big red tree," The big red tree he's referring to are the California red woods. All of these guys were from California. He may have been referring also to Mendocino County in northern California where the best marijuana in the world is grown. Or maybe I've just smoked too much of that weed. Your guess.