Redwood Moment

Redwood Moment
            Deep brown with a reddish tinge and a unique texture, sometimes touched by the diaphanous paintbrush of spiderwebs, the bark of a redwood tree is easily identifiable once you come to know it. Then there is the rich, earthy smell of a redwood forest, forest floor moister than the many dry areas of California. The tall trees provide so much shade that moss and ferns thrive around them year-round.
            Something about being with redwood trees makes me feel calm. Is it because they are so big, so old, so steady? Whatever the reason, they bring a sense of tranquility.
            Living in the San Francisco Bay Area with its combination of cultural activities mixed with stunning nature in all directions, we have a lot of visitors from friends and family from around the world.
            When visitors visit for the first time, I ask what the top items on their visit list are. Almost everyone asks to see redwood trees. After decades of living here I almost take easy access to redwood trees for granted. 
            Muir Woods is on the checklist for many, but parking restrictions mean we can’t just visit on a whim anymore. Though parking spaces are restricted, hiking trails into Muir Woods aren’t, so with guests who are willing, we take a steep hike down into the woods from the mountain ridge above.
            There are many places other than Muir Woods to see redwoods, even groves within the city of San Francisco itself. Spending even a short time among these grand trees can make the world slow down a little.
            This week’s Hike Notes, Old Mill Park Stroll, introduces readers to a park in Mill Valley in Marin County that does not require a strenuous hike to enjoy a quiet moment among the redwoods.
            Find your treasured quiet places, and keep putting one foot forward!
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New this week:
Hike Notes 221: Old Mill Park Stroll