First stop was the Redwood Visitor Center. We marveled at the waves, walked amongst the rocks and driftwood. The ranger told us of waves that came almost to the building. We planned our time between north and south and headed out to commune with the trees.
The park is divided into the northern and southern sections. It’s long and narrow. The north is harder to access but worth the trip. We camp in the middle at Elk Valley Campground. Day 1 we visit the ranger station, obtain trail passes for Tall Trees Trail and then travel north to the Oregon border crossing into the park just south of Grants Pass. We try to drive straight through but I cannot resist stopping to see the elk grazing near the road or taking a moment to hug a redwood that stands like a sentinel on the scenic byway.
We spent time alone at Stout Grove, marveling at the majesty. Feeling blessed to enjoy the forest in solitude. We drove the old stagecoach trail winding through the giant trees on hard packed dirt. It was slow travel with ruts, big puddles from the recent rains and trees intruding on the road or rather the road intruding on the giant trees. After all it is they who have been here for hundreds of years.
It was a mystical journey, the sun peaking through here and there to spotlight the beauty. Surreal clouds of steam evaporated in waves across the path. Looking closer we realize it’s created by the sun permeating the canopy heating an isolated tree or rock. There is so much moisture in everything that it simply evaporates creating the vapor.
In places crystals of water shone in the sunlight, suspended like jewels along the road or path. Dozens of spider webs that somehow had materialized in the ferns and tree branches were set aglow in the sunshine. I am awe struck, surrounded by giants – trees some 24 feet around, shoulder high ferns, incredible beauty, a mystical ancient world, surreal in it’s majesty. They aren’t as wide as the Sequoia but they rise hundreds of feet into the sky.
Walking amongst the Red Woods is a humbling experience. It makes you feel a spiritual sense of things that illuminates the importance of protecting our planet. I feel blessed to experience this first hand. I feel enraged that people thought it was ok to cut down these enormous trees. I’m saddened to know that across the earth we violate our planet for short term economic gain. Thank you to all who fought to protect the land and establish our National Parks. It was the greatest gift one generation could give to the next. I say a prayer of thanks and commit to honor their sacrifice.
We head to Trinidad, California for the sunset.
The Great Magic Bus Adventure 