Road trip! Part 3

So it turned out that Matthew had to work on Wednesday, and we had to come up with a plan B. Aunt Judy found a beautiful place to visit: Big Basin Redwoods State Park. It's absolutely gorgeous! California has lots of beautiful country in it: desert, mountains, forests, ocean. So Aunt Judy & I trekked up the mountains and got a closer look.

It was a long and curvy ride to the top, and Judy wasn't sure she would make it. It was amazing to see so many mailboxes and houses and to encounter traffic. I could live there, sure, but it's surprising to see how many people actually do live there, to wonder how they earn money and how often they have to drive up and down and up and down...

The park ranger gave us the skinny on the trails. Judy decided to do the leisurely, scenic loop, and I took on a more challenging course. It was wonderful to be back in the forest- I think it's where I'm most at home. The air smelled wonderfully sweet and clear, and the lush greenness of the woods feels so supportive and adventurous all at once!

We only had a little time in the since I took forever getting ready to leave the house (yes, it's a theme) and Aunt Judy wanted to leave at 4:00 so we wouldn't have to drive down the mountain in the dark. So I found my trail and bolted, drinking in the beauty and making the most of a mountain-top workout. Part of me wanted to keep moving quickly, and part of me wanted to be still and soak it all in. But the brisk pace won out due to the lack of aerobic activity, and on I went. I saw no banana slugs, California's famed critter. But I did see acre upon acre of trees and foliage, and I doubt I will ever tire of it.

As I neared the parking lot, I heard Judy chatting with someone; she always finds a buddy or some people to chat with. I smiled and kept shaking my tailfeathers as I power walked the scenic loop. These redwoods aren't the huge ones farther north that you can drive your car through, but they are BIG. You can stand inside of them and peek out.

I've always felt there's more magic in forests. The plains and the oceans are beautiful, and I enjoy themboth, but for me, forests eclipse other natural wonders. There's a large part of me that really believes I could wake the trees like Lucy in The Chronicles of Narnia. Hopefully someday I will end up a wild, mountain woman. But for the moment, I had to hike back down and navigate the curvy mountain roads once more (woohoo!).

Judy did not die on the ride down the mountain. We were glad.