Redwood NP

Sometimes Redwoods and Sequoias are thought of as just both big trees. They are different and this trip we saw the Redwoods. You can check out the blog and video for Sequoias NP later. But for reference:

We have enjoyed hiking through forests of tall fir, cedar and hemlock trees this month, but the giant redwoods in Redwood National and State Park are truly majestic. So many old growth trees standing at over 350 feet tall, and so many smaller trees and plant living around them. But what we found most interesting about them is that they have thrived for over 1000 years by living in community. Their roots grow sideways more than down intertwining with neighboring trees for stability and sharing of nutrients. They also grow burls off their sides, and at when they become weak, a new tree grows from each burl using the same root system as the parent tree. We saw many examples of over a dozen trees that live off one root system that could be hundreds of years older than the trees. Multiple generations living off the same roots. We humans could learn something about how to live in community from these giants.

from Since this National Park is on the Pacific Ocean it is also a temperate rainforest, lush and green with layers of plant living on each other. It looked like Endor (Star Wars), and we could imagine speeders racing over the ferns and between trees. Dean kept looking for Ewoks but only found typical critters for this part of the country.

And yes the elk just show up at some unexpected places.

Sue enjoyed experiencing tide pools at the edge of the forest and ocean at low tides. These did not disappoint with many colorful starfish, anemone, crabs, and snails.

The video for this trip is at the link below.