First the trees...

We first headed into the windy (as in, "you might need to pull the car over because that many quick turns could equal trouble.") Santa Cruz mountains to visit the Big Basin Redwood State Park. The redwood trees are stunning up there. Your neck hurts from looking up and you get a bit dizzy from it all really.

It is mind blowing to think about just how long these tress have been around. Thousands and thousands of years of watching the sun set and rise, of the winds blowing and the rain falling. Years to watch the wildlife be born and die, to sit nervously as the axes and the saws made their way through, keeping your branches crossed that you would not be the one to fall.

And now that this area is protected, the trees get to hear the voices of little kids and of adults whisper, "wow" as they wander around their trunks that are scarred from fires, stumbling because their gaze is up instead of down at the trail.

It was cold in the shade of these trees that barely allow the sun to reach the forest floor and the campfire's smoke hangs heavy in the damp coastal air. Something this desert rat family just isn't used to.

There are way too many raccoons who are not afraid of a little foot stomping and know how to open camp boxes and get to the food that they have become accustom to. Daddy-O had a pocket full of small rocks to ward off the little buggers and we made sure to pick up every piece of food that our little forest gnome dropped. If people understood just how out of whack they make the animals and the ecosystem by leaving out their food it sure would make a difference. We put our camp box of dry food and our cooler in the car each night- nothing worse than having to get up in the middle of the night to chase off a pack of mid-night snackers!

I would love to go back when we have more time. I felt like we set up camp and then broke it right back down again. (We are getting really good at putting up the tent in no time flat! I can even do it while carrying the babe in the ergo carrier) There are miles of trails to hike and explore and lots of trees that need hugging. I mean really- look at these trees, how could you not want to at least try to wrap your arms around something that majestic.


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P.S. Thank you everyone for stopping by last week and leaving such sweet comments. I have over 400 posts in my google reader, a little overwhelming. I will more than likely clear them all and start fresh- it gives me a little bit of an anxiety attack to see that much to catch up on. Hope you are all well....