A Walk in the Woods

A Walk in the Woods

This past Saturday, 秋高氣爽, we went for a family outing on a crisp cool autumn day. We took a walk through the woods in Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

 It was planned by our daughter. She said to me that if I liked Muir Woods National Monument, I would sure like Big Basin Redwoods State Park as well. She knows well that her father is a tree lover and has been fascinated with the big trees, especially the giant ancient trees.

 

Big Basin is California's oldest State Park, established in 1902, home to the largest continuous stand of Ancient Coast Redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains, about 65 miles south of San Francisco.

 

 

Dendrochronology: dating a wooden object on the basis of the growth rings of a tree, the most accurate way to date an ancient tree.

 

Studying the "Trail Guide"

Into the Woods

 

   

Stepping into the forest of woods, we saw the huge shaggy trunks, and suddenly we felt so tiny and insignificant.

  

The trail passes by some of the biggest, interesting and significant coast redwood trees. There are the patterns of growth and decay, sunlight and shadow, sound and smells.

 

Coast redwoods have inspired human beings since the dawn of time.

 

 

Note the large fire scar at the base of this tree; fires do not kill the trees but do remove competing thin-barked species, and aid giant sequoia regeneration.

 

Standing at the base of Earth’s tallest tree, the coast redwood, is one of life’s most humbling and amazing experiences.

 This magnificent tree has two new trunks growing, and may someday be the tallest tree again.

In front of "Mother of the Forest"

This grand old tree is estimated to be 2,000 years old.

 

In front of "Father of the Forest"

                         These lush ferns find enough light under the redwood canopy.

山氣入秋衣, the autumn air in the woods is cool and moist,

 It was a pleasant outing and a unique experience.

“I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees.”  - Henry David Thoreau -

"Let's take our hearts for a walk in the woods and listen to the magic whispers of old trees.”   - Unknown -


Yeh Tze