Muir Woods, California

Muir Woods. Most interesting thing to me is how a forest of this magnitude can be soooooooooo close to San Francisco, so close to civilization. These trees are awesome! How forward thinking to preserve them. You can see the size by how small I look when standing near them. It's not possible to look up enough to see the tops of tree without feeling like you're going to topple over backwards.
The black on the tree is the tree's way of self protection, from disease, animals, and fire. We were told the fire damage one can see happened over 200 years ago; but these trees show it like it happened just yesterday.

Muir Woods is a National Monument, part of The Golden Gate National Recreation Area. In 2008, it turned 100 years old, having become a National Monument (the 10th), in 1908 by an order from President Theordore Roosevelt. Named for Conservationist, John Muir; it almost didn't happen. In 1907 a water company from Sausalito wanted to dam the Redwood Creek, went to court to get the land condemned for there purposes. Owner Kent, blocked their quest by giving the land...all 295 acres to The United States Government. In 1933 The CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp) began work that lasted until 1941 when it completed it's last project.

As mentioned, one can't look back enough to see the tops; nor photograph them. These trees reach towards the heavens. There is documentation indicating the tallest Redwood tree is as tall as a 35 story building!!

The last ring on this three was back in 1930, thats 79 years ago folks.
I have this pictured labeled me among friends. I LOVE trees, I find them spiritual. It therefore, seems most appropiate to end with a favorite poem.

Trees
by Alfred Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918)*

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

Did someone say poetry

EntreCard & BLOGUPP

This is sorta a bookkeeping item...Though a great way for you to take a virtual trip, no packing necessary. Sit there in the comfort of your computer chair and travel with me to a place with animals, a place to learn facinating history of Chicago, a place to get kids and adults excited about writing, a place that celebrates the fun and joy of motherhood, buy fun gifts from the ever popular Hello Kitty without having to travel to the crowded mall and spend precious time and money on gas, travel abroad with me to The Phillipines...you don't even need a passport.

I want to thank my top 3 droppers for April from EntreCard
Mother by Design
IWalk u2?
Hello Kitty Gifts

I'd also like to thank my top 3 ads that helped me with clicks from EC
Chicago Journal
Phillipines Travel
Laane Loves

Anyone following the daily changes at EntreCard will know the back and forth between paid ads. All those listed in bold above are folks who do NOT accept paid ads.

Dropping is nice, it can be fun, you see lots of blogs. YOu can use your EC credits for things in the market place or to purchase ads yourself on others blogs; however...EC doesn't track top commentors...but I do.

Thanks bunches Jan for being my top commentor for the month of April. If you're into animals you'll want to check out her newest blog, if you're into writing she's got that covered too.

So today I travel to Thank You Land, anywhere USA, or really anywhere in the World. The virtual world is an amazing place.

BLOGUPP
What a fun and interesting new toy for me. Well not really a toy, in that it's a great way to make connections with other bloggers. Some might be your topic, but many aren't and thats the beauty of it. There is no registration so joining is fast, and easy. Even for folks like me who are techy challenged. Activation is also quick and easy. Take a look on my right side bar for the cool widget with 2 thumbnails of other blogs. They change; but if you mouse over and click you're instantly taken to that page. A page you probably wouldn't be familiar with otherwise. What a great way to meet another blogger. Read their post, leave a comment and keep going. They'll have a widget on their page too. 2 pages per widget, with a small summary of their last post. Pick a topic, they're all covered. It's only been a few days since I joined and am really happy that I did. I've already told several people about how cool it is. Check it out for yourself. Look at my widget. Click on the blue bar in the middle...like a book binder. You too can join and start blog walking to some new and interesting blogs.

If you'd like to travel to The California Coast and see a LightHouse Hostel, please scroll back to my previous post.

If you like trees, stick around; next post will be traveling to Muir Woods, what an awesome place to visit in California