Make Time: Among the Ancients

I drove through amazing countryside to get to Jedediah Smith Campgrounds, which are in the middle of beautiful and huge redwood trees. After locating the campgrounds I drove into Crescent City, which is about 15 minutes away on the California coast. At this point it was pouring rain. I found a hotel bar that was playing the SF Giants vs St Louis Cardinals baseball game, and I camped out to watch the Giants win. I'm not a huge baseball fan, but I have a soft spot for SF - especially the Giants (who are originally from NYC, where my mom is from). After the game I drove back to the campgrounds and found a perfect spot for the evening - nestled in between a few huge redwood trees. It was still raining hard at this point, so after a quick walk down to the Smith River I setup my bed in the car and read some pamphlets I picked up on the way into the campgrounds. I mapped out my drive and hikes for the next morning, and then I watched O Brother Where Art Thou? on my VHS player in the car. Too funny - watching VHS tapes once again...is it 1985? Sure, why not. After the movie I fell asleep to the pouring rain falling on the car. Not a bad way to end my day.

I woke up around 7am Wednesday and ate some snack bars before driving to the first of three stops for my day - Stout Grove. Although this grove of redwoods was located across the river from the campgrounds, I had to drive about 20 minutes to get there. Luckily no one was there, and so I walked amongst the ancient trees (some as old as 2000 years) by myself. Sun coming through the tops of the trees. Birds chirping. Rain drops falling from the tops of the trees to the wet grounds below. I felt like I was in a very solemn place from the minute I stepped into the grove. Some of the fallen trees were just as beautiful as the healthy living ones, and I paid my respect to each as I passed through. Guess you could call me a tree-hugger, but I like to think I'm just a lover of nature. As I was making my loop around the grove I noticed one tree that was much bigger than all the rest. Unreal. I sat and looked at its majesty for a while, overwhelmed with emotion and peace. As I was heading back to the parking lot I saw four cars had arrived, which made me feel all the more lucky that I was there earlier and on my own.

After Stout grove I drove down to The Big Tree Loop in Prairie Creek State Park. The drive down was breathtaking, and I stopped a few times to look at the monster ancient trees on the road. As I pulled up to the Big Tree area, I noticed a few other cars. As I walked out into the path I saw beautiful trees covered in moss. Very mystical. I walked a few feet to the base of The Big Tree, which is about 1500 years old and over 300 ft tall. Unreal. Another man walked up and we talked about the tree for a while. He had been here many years ago and was so happy to be back. He told me about some other places to see big trees, and then I had him take a pic of me. As we were talking another older man with a cane stopped and admired the tree while telling us to check out Lady Bird Johnson Grove as well. Funny - that was already my next stop, so I was happy to hear it was so great. I left the two men and walked around the Big Tree Loop for a bit. I didn't get more than 50 feet into my walk when I was stopped by another older man who told me he hadn't been here in 40 years. He said that everything was exactly how he remembered, and he was very happy to be back. Interacting with older people about their joy for these trees made me feel that much more lucky about my decision to come here. Such a special place.

I left the Big Tree and headed down to Lady Bird Johnson Grove, which provided yet again a huge and beautiful space to look at ancient redwoods. Hallowed out trees. Trees you can walk through. Such an amazing experience. I was at complete peace. After my walk through Lady Bird Johnson Grove, I decided to head to the California Coast, so I picked up Route 1 in Mendocino county and drove along the coast for about an hour. Breathtaking. I lived in SF for 10 years so I knew the coast, but I never saw it this far north. Raw. Powerful. Misty. Inspirational. I stop a few times to take in the views and the smells. Love the way the Pacific smells - saltwater air is the most refreshing. I drove for a bit more and then made my way back to the 101, which took me directly into Kentfield - a suburb of SF. My friend Derek lives with his wife and three daughters here, where I spent the night last night. I'm hanging here for the day and then going on a hike with my cousins, who live in Marin County as well. Last night was the first time I showered since Sunday, so that was amazing! It's nice to be in a loving household. Also, it's just nice to be back in the Bay Area - my home for 10 years.