About 8 years ago, when I lived in the desert of Southern California, my husband and I took a 3000 mile motorcycle trip up from Riverside County, through California, Oregon and Washington, and back down the Pacific Coast. Being a native New Englander, I’d never been north of San Francisco – we were on a mission – considering retirement destinations. As a child of an Air Force career man, Mark lived in Klamath and Crescent City for part of his childhood, and remembered it fondly and vividly. His father, stationed at Requa Triple 7 Radar site in Klamath, CA.
When we reached Humboldt County, I was captured by what I thought could be the place we’d choose to live. The trees, glorious trees, so many beautiful, sweet trees! “You haven’t seen anything yet,” he told me.
What he was alluding to, were the giant redwoods, in Del Norte county, further north. I’ve always loved trees, and as a teen, I often walked alone in the woods of Massachusetts, seeking peace and tranquility. I touch trees, and they touch me. When I saw the giants for the first time, from the back of the motorcycle, my eyes welled with tears – I was awestruck. Pushing my head and shoulders backward, looking straight up – I felt as if I had been lifted into another world, an alternate reality.
It’s exceptionally difficult to capture or even explain how amazing this area is and unique these trees and this environment is. The tallest living thing on earth, a coastal redwood, nicknamed “Hyperion,” measures 379.1 feet and is here, in Del Norte County. For the sake of preservation, I assume, the exact location remains a mystery for most people. Only 4% of old growth redwoods remain on earth, 96% have long since been logged. There have been good people who commit themselves to saving the remaining old growth redwoods.
Outside of my own front and back yards, there are many opportunities to commune with nature, and the giants.
Visit Stout Grove here —-> Stout Grove.
Seen with my own eyes –
Please add Del Norte county and the giant redwoods to your bucket list. I recommend National Geographic’s 120 minute documentary “Climbing Redwood Giants.” I believe it’s best viewed in one sitting. In the documentary, you’ll see how the participants figured out how to show us exactly how GIANT, the redwood giants are.
For some historical and current coverage of the status of endangered and protected California Redwood Forests, and ways you can help, please visit here —> www.savetheredwoods.org
If you’re ever in the area, or have decided to visit, don’t hesitate to contact me – I’m happy to be of assistance. Thank you for reading!
notimeforironing
May 31, 2012 @ 13:09:58
I wish I was there, it looks beautiful!
seapunk2
May 31, 2012 @ 14:35:12
Wishes do come true. It is more than beautiful. Words can’t express…
newsofthetimes
May 31, 2012 @ 14:04:37
I was just thinking about the Redwoods yesterday. I was so surprised by how moved I was by the redwoods. When people tell me to go to a peaceful place in my mind for one reason or another, I always choose the redwoods…I can see the light slanting through the trees now! Beautiful post!
seapunk2
May 31, 2012 @ 14:38:04
It pleases me that you were thinking about the redwoods! And, though I have second growth redwoods on my property, and massive remaining trunks of old growth redwoods, when I visit a grove or drive through, it is, indeed, quite moving. without exception.
evea192
May 31, 2012 @ 14:26:21
Here in South-Africa, we have a town called Knysna, it has a forest with at least 13 different tree species.
Alex Jones
May 31, 2012 @ 14:43:44
It is said some redwoods are 2000 years old.
seapunk2
May 31, 2012 @ 14:51:38
“Their trunks can grow 24 feet wide, about eight paces by an average adult person! Even more incredible: These trees can live for more than 2,000 years. Some coast redwoods living today were alive during the time of the Roman Empire.” Quoted from the link above – Save The Redwoods league. Almost unfathomable…
FeyGirl
Jun 01, 2012 @ 04:42:38
Such an amazing place — and only a fraction of the original life surviving, thanks to humans. It’s my dream to return to the area soon (and hopefully live nearby). Just awe-inspiring…. Thanks so much for posting and sharing!! ♥
seapunk2
Jun 01, 2012 @ 08:27:20
Please come. There is no place like it, on the entire earth. So many who live here don’t appreciate the unopened gift that’s poised right in front of them. I would welcome you with a hug and a cup of tea!
FeyGirl
Jun 01, 2012 @ 17:03:06
Oh, yay! I have family in Northern CA, and I used to live in the PNW. We’re definitely ready for a move, as much as I adore this land. You’re such a sweetheart. How did you know I drink tea? 🙂
seapunk2
Jun 01, 2012 @ 17:40:32
When I moved from Massachusetts to New Hampshire, I was fine, and called it “my beloved New Hampshire.” I cried for years after moving to Southern California, 3000 miles away. Finding the PNW in all it’s glory, is an experience of a lifetime. There is SO MUCH here and is paradise. In the same way we can love any child, we can love any beautiful place on earth.
As to the tea – any woman with class, and love of the earth and all it contains, MUST drink a cup of tea every now and then! No worries – I have at least ten organic varieties on hand at any given time. 😀
FeyGirl
Jun 03, 2012 @ 06:58:55
Hahahah! I love it. “Any woman with class + a love of the earth” — I’m retorting with this when I’m mocked for my lack of coffee-drinking. And I thoroughly agree with you; my heaven-on-earth to date is Vancouver Island; I shall find a way there soon… 🙂
Debbie Liu
Jun 04, 2012 @ 07:34:12
I thought of a Japanese anime you would enjoy as I was reading your post. Have you seen Princess Mononoke? You must see it. It shows some of the most beautiful forest scenes ever drawn and the imaginary life in the forest that are beyond earthy life will probably resonate with some of your feelings about the forests around your home.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Mononoke
seapunk2
Jun 04, 2012 @ 08:10:41
Thanks, Debbie. Beautiful. I’m swirling this around in my head now, more ideas for my children’s books…. 😉 Just wanted to mention the first is in the works – ABC book and all the illustrations feature rabbits… 😀
Deb
Jun 10, 2012 @ 12:31:28
Yeah! Let me know when you are done. I want it for myself and my baby niece!!!