Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Muir Woods, California

hiking trailMuir 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.
large redwoodThe 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.
damage tree preservation
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.
Very tall Redwood
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!!
tree dating rings
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



22 comments:

  1. I too like that poem. Great pictures, looks like a fun place to visit. Very educational too.
    Ern

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  2. Those are great pictures. Thanks for the info on the Muir Woods. I would love to go there someday. I love trees and nature too.

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  3. You had great weather when you were there. The day we were (a few years back, around Thanksgiving), it was very dark. That gave it a great atmosphere -- but made it lousy for pictures.

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  4. One of these days I'll make it to your corner of the world to see these great trees. Sandy, these photos are wonderful! Thank you for sharing them!

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  5. Very cool on a number of levels!

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  6. those are some amazing trees!

    hubby and I have been buying and planting trees all over our lot - won't make up for the thousands the town we live in has allowed developers to cut - mostly for NOTHING, as they run out of money before they BUILD anything... but at least OUR lot will have trees.

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  7. Hey Sandy,
    Wonderful pictures! I have seen pictures like these in the past but yours are exceptional. I am happy that you and hubby get to explore that part of this beautiful country.

    I am happy that you will be traveling to Maryland soon to see your daughter. Have a safe trip and do try to take some pictures for us to enjoy. Thanks again for visiting my blog!

    Friends 4 Life!

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  8. Gorgeous photos!!

    OK to get the 3 columns you have to change some code. I folllowed the directions I found at www.thecutestblogontheblock.com and that is also where I got the cute backgrounds :) I hope that helps and answers your question!

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  9. hi sandy, great picture you have here.
    anyway thank you for visiting my blog.

    see you around...

    Animal kingdom

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  10. Sandy, I think you're getting stuck on my website's homepage and not clicking through to the Meet and Greet.

    I just signed in with my name/URL. Try following that to the Meet and Greet.

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  11. Fascinating. Wonderful photos and textual information. Great job!

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  12. I enjoyed viewing your photos. I love visiting parks and forests, but really haven't had much time to do much in the past 6 years so thanks for sharing.

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  13. You found the Meet and Greet! Awesome! Come hang with the fictional goodness that is Mitchell and Trevor!

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  14. marvellous post with fantastic pix.

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  15. I just love the redwoods in Northern California. They are just so majestic and beautiful!

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  16. Absolutely beautiful. The redwoods are just gorgeous. Thank God someone made sure they were protected. So many more places need protection. Our offspring won't know what land and trees are like someday.

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  17. Beautiful!!! We went there when we lived in Monterey, CA and also my husband's grandparents lived in Felton, near Oakland, and they went to see the Redwoods all the time - they really are incredible!!

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  18. Just popping by thru Entrecard to say howdy! Happy Mother's Day!

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  19. hi sandy..so sorry about your mom.

    i hope your dad is ok...

    take care!

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  20. All these trees are the friends for us to protect our planet earth.

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  21. Thanks for stopping by my blog - and for offering to pass the link on to your SIL :)

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  22. thanks for stopping by. Great photos. Can't wait to see them.

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