road trip     

Sequoia sempervirens. Tall trees, long lives. At one point not long ago (1800's) all of the redwoods were "owned" by lumber companies. From their website:

Since our founding in 1918, Save the Redwoods League, a nonprofit organization, has been singularly focused on protecting this ancient treasure. The League has protected more than 200,000 acres of redwood forests and helped create 66 redwood parks and reserves by purchasing redwood forests and the surrounding land needed to nurture them. We restore redwood forests by innovating science and technology that can improve stewardship and accelerate forest regeneration. And most important, we have touched the lives of hundreds of millions of people by connecting them to nature. The League’s work is grounded in the principles of conservation biology, research and improving our collective understanding and appreciation of the redwoods.

I cannot get my head around how someone could cut down these trees for money. To make shake shingles and picnic tables and redwood hot tubs. It is a travesty, and I say "is" because vast tracts of redwoods are still being clear cut.

Sequoia sempervirens grows only where the climate is just right. Cool temperatures at night, morning fogs and general high humidity, and a number of other factors are required for these trees to grow. They are quite resistant to fire, but sensitive to having their root systems distressed (by too many hikers, for example).

We got to wake up here in the morning and have breakfast under the trees. This is one of the best sites in the park, on the lower level down by the Smith River. This is an older section of the campground, and the sites are spread out.

Redwood sorrel lives in the dark forest because it is sensitive to light. It is everywhere in the redwood forest, and this particular garden of sorrel was growing on a fallen redwood log. Nothing is wasted in this environment, and the redwoods themselves are like nurturing parents to a huge variety of life, including new redwood trees.

The white blossoms turn pink as they age.

This plant also is everywhere in the redwood forest. It provides moisture and cover for forest amphibians.

It is easy to feel peaceful among these ancient trees.

Save the Redwoods League continues to work to protect, restore, and connect people with these trees. Because of this organization, we have the coastal redwoods at all. They have a vision for their next 100 years, which you can find HERE. Take a look, and consider what a loss it would be if the timber companies had their way.

Text and images copyright 2018 Thomas D'Alessio and Jocelyn Boor