The Tallest Things on the Planet
First stop is Prairie Creek National Park to visit my grove and do some extensive hiking in the park. Many of you have experienced this magical place with me and know that I go there every year. This year, I went earlier in hopes to see rhododendrons blooming. Well, I guess they are late this year, so no luck on that point. Even on the Rhododendron Trail!
I spent the weekend there with my friends Denise and Mike Gregorini who came up from the Sacramento area to see this park for the first time. We all stayed at the Requa Inn and it was super nice as always. Denise and I planned this trip while we were in Palm Springs last winter and it was very enjoyable and inspiring for all of us.
They are both avid hikers and we were able to do over 8 miles each of the two days that we were there. Below are some shots from these hikes.
The “Big Tree” at Prairie Creek Park.
A cute way to attempt to get the tourists to venture out into the forest to see more than just the official “Big Tree.”
A classic shot of a giant tree in a bed of sword ferns. Just majestically standing there for close to 2,000 years.
After arrival at my grove, I need to do some housekeeping first. Cleaning the sign!
OK, the cleaning is done, now I can pose. The trees sure seem larger since the dedication last summer! (Probably just my imagination!)
Denise & Mike at the grove.
We all loved this sign. It is attempting to get the tourists to understand that the elk are very large and not very nice. The scale of one to the other is accurate.
Much of the beauty of the redwood forest is at your feet. Often missed as we gawk and gasp at the size of the trees. Redwood Sorrel in bloom.
A lovely spider web.
Trillium.
Loved the shadow of the bloom onto the leaves below.
Very colorful fungus getting life from a downed redwood tree trunk.
Hello my friend! The image of the spider web is remarkable. And did you see what I meant by the smile on your face at your grove? I just returned from 10 grueling days on the road from San Diego to LA and back, keeping the serenity and peace of the giant trees in the back of my mind and in my heart. The 37 redwood trees in my back yard pale in comparison but due to your inspiration, Mike and I will hike around the sequoias soon. Now on to your next blog…..