Day 2: Into the Forest

Starting off on a slow note (my fault, I slept in this morning), we headed down Highway 101 into the park.  Admission is free, as well as use of the trails also being free, so getting around was very easy.  After stopping at the first visitor's center to pick up a map of the trails, we headed down the road on one of the many scenic drives throughout the park.  I have to say, it was breathtaking.  These Redwoods are truly something to be seen.  In this region, most of the forest is old growth stands, so the forest is thick and the trees tall.  And when I say tall, I mean it.  For those of you unfamiliar to Redwoods, these trees are only found on this small stretch of coastline in northern California and into southern Oregon.  Averaging between 150 to 350 feet in height, they are by far the tallest trees on the planet and live for hundreds of years, though some have lived for over 2000 years.  This specific species of tree can trace its kind all the way back to the Jurassic Period over 150 million years ago.  As John Steinbeck recounts, author of Travels with Charley, "They are not like any trees we know.  They are ambassadors from another time."

To help give you some perspective, I want to share with you a picture of mine from the 6 mile hike we did later that day.  The forest was damp and cool, with the faint smell of the Pacific breeze mixing with the smell of earth and woods.  The sun was again shining brightly today, though under the canopy of these magnificent trees it seemed like a dark, cloudy day.  The air was pure and crisp; nothing like the city air of the city we just drove up from.  The biggest thing, though was the sense of awe it put you in.  It was like walking back in time to a long-forgotten era.  From fallen trees grew more life, and from the earth stood giants unlike anything on this earth today.  You feel small, almost insignificant to them.  They have stood here for many years, some have even lived to see the rise and fall of many empires in human history.  The oldest of them were sprouting when Jesus walked the earth.  They were incredible, to say the least.

Well, it seems to be getting late once again, so I will end my report here.  We plan to hit up some more trails tomorrow and for the next few days, so expect to hear more about the landscape and such in the future.  See ya!

Here is the link to my photos for today: Day 2 photos