Thursday, November 10, 2005
Klamath, California - Trees of Mystery - the redwoods
The Brotherhood Tree
Height 297 feet Diameter 19 feet
Dedicated to the Brotherhood Of Man
All races, creeds & colors
There was a Trail of Tall Tales, where a number of chainsaw carvings depicted the tales of Paul Bunyan.
A spiderweb glistens in the sunlight.
Ferns growing along tree branches and give a "frosted" effect.
A cross-section of a redwood that started growing in 1148 and reached a height of 361 feet. Markers trace its life span through 1099 when the Crusades began, 1215 when the Magna Carta was signed, 1492 when Columbus landed in America, 1620 when the Pilgrims landed in the US, 1776 when the US Declaration of Independence was signed, and 1850 when California was admitted to the Union.
Click to see the full-size picture.
Height 297 feet Diameter 19 feet
Dedicated to the Brotherhood Of Man
All races, creeds & colors
There was a Trail of Tall Tales, where a number of chainsaw carvings depicted the tales of Paul Bunyan.
A spiderweb glistens in the sunlight.
Ferns growing along tree branches and give a "frosted" effect.
A cross-section of a redwood that started growing in 1148 and reached a height of 361 feet. Markers trace its life span through 1099 when the Crusades began, 1215 when the Magna Carta was signed, 1492 when Columbus landed in America, 1620 when the Pilgrims landed in the US, 1776 when the US Declaration of Independence was signed, and 1850 when California was admitted to the Union.
Click to see the full-size picture.
Klamath, California - the redwoods - Sky Trail
Nickie was skeptical of this place because it looks like such a tourist trap, complete with a 49-foot statue of Paul Bunyan and blue ox out front. A little encouragement and the promise of a ride in the sky car through the heights of the forest convinced her to stick it out.
We were not sorry!
The Sky Trail takes you up to 136 feet high. At first we were coasting silently through the branches, then the land dropped off below and we found ourselves coming through the forest canopy and looking down at the tops of these lovely trees. We were awestruck!
One of the little skycars being lowered into the forest.
Our shadow on the forest floor below.
Chipmunks come and forage by the platform on the far side of the Sky Trail.
A view of the Pacific from an observation deck high up in the trees.
More views from the observation deck.
Nickie had always wanted to see what it looked like when you look down on the tops of the trees. She said she will never forget the ride we took through the redwoods.
We were not sorry!
The Sky Trail takes you up to 136 feet high. At first we were coasting silently through the branches, then the land dropped off below and we found ourselves coming through the forest canopy and looking down at the tops of these lovely trees. We were awestruck!
One of the little skycars being lowered into the forest.
Our shadow on the forest floor below.
Chipmunks come and forage by the platform on the far side of the Sky Trail.
A view of the Pacific from an observation deck high up in the trees.
More views from the observation deck.
Nickie had always wanted to see what it looked like when you look down on the tops of the trees. She said she will never forget the ride we took through the redwoods.
Klamath, California - Trees of Mystery - the redwoods
These are gorgeous!! Some of the trees are almost 2000 years old and nearly 300 feet tall. Plaques throughout this park provide interesting facts:
Plaque reads, "Several weddings take place each year before this beautiful cathedral tree."
Nickie adored seeing this tiny little mushroom embedding itself in a huge redwood tree.
At one time redwoods of many species covered most of the earth. The ice age destroyed most of them except those of the coast and the Sierra Nevada.
Redwood Bark is a protector against fire, as it has neither pitch nor resin. The wood contains great amounts of water. Redwood is used in building, as it is impervious to disease and insects.
Plaque reads, "Several weddings take place each year before this beautiful cathedral tree."
Nickie adored seeing this tiny little mushroom embedding itself in a huge redwood tree.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Oregon - the coast
Morning mist was rising off the ground everywhere. Nickie said this is the earth waking up and breathing. Out here, she said, where the earth isn't all covered with cement and asphalt, you can see it breathe just like we do.
I thought this was profound.
I was reminded of a Native American spiritual leader we know. He was kind enough to share some of his wisdom with us, which I will paraphrase here:
I thought this was profound.
I was reminded of a Native American spiritual leader we know. He was kind enough to share some of his wisdom with us, which I will paraphrase here:
Native Americans have believed for thousands of years that everything is interconnected. The trees, the water, the rocks, the dirt, the animals, the stars, are all your brothers and sisters. European, and now American cultures, teach that everything is separate. The Native Americans were considered foolish and ignorant for believing that a living, breathing human being is related to the dirt and rocks, for example. You think you're not? Doesn't modern science now tell us that plants pull minerals from the ground, and you take those minerals into your body whenever you eat from those plants or eat an animal that ate those plants? And that, indeed, you will actually die without those minerals? The dirt and rocks are coursing through your veins as we speak. You are related to the earth. And doesn't the Big Bang theory tell us that the sun and Earth were formed by the same gases and forces that made all the rest of the stars and planets? You are by extension related to them too. European and American cultures are only beginning to scientifically prove and accept things that Native Americans have known for centuries.
Random observation
Oregonians are an odd mix of hippies and fundamentalist Christians. Okay, well, it's not quite that simple. But between the sights we've seen and people we've met, there is clear evidence of both far right and far left. You have staunch environmentalists and racists, peace-mongers and Bible-thumpers. One can only imagine these factions battling for control of the state.
Portland itself seemed to have a liberal slant; it had a number of vegetarian restaurants, and news reports covered things like, "is Oregon tap water just as good as your bottled water, and what can we do to handle the environmental impact of all these plastic water bottles?" Amazing.
As we headed west from Portland (passing Intel in Beaverton) to the coast and turned south, this seemed to be the way of things. Somewhere past Lincoln City, however, this gave out and was increasingly replaced by ignorant country bumpkinism. Discriminatory talk of "towel-heads" and Mexicans was a huge turn-off. To make matters worse, all the restaurants were chock-full of country bumpkin fare. Fried everything, with tons of meat, cheese, and eggs. Accordingly, this is also where we began to see obesity in epidemic proportions. By far, most of the people we observed had weight problems, and this was also the starting point for seeing individuals who were morbidly obese. (Not that I have room to talk, mind you... just observing.) The prospect of enduring racism and homophobia while eating lettuce sandwiches for the rest of our lives was enough to scratch this place from our map for good.
This continued for a long distance and on past the California border. By the time we stopped in the redwoods and Arcata it seemed to be getting better, and we were pleasantly surprised by hickory-flavored tofu dip for your crackers (tastes like smoked cheese), vegan burritos, vegan soups, and other tasty delights in Arcata's local grocery. (We were unsurprised to see that the average waistline also fell dramatically.) I await San Francisco with watering mouth, in anticipation of the treasures to be found there.
Portland itself seemed to have a liberal slant; it had a number of vegetarian restaurants, and news reports covered things like, "is Oregon tap water just as good as your bottled water, and what can we do to handle the environmental impact of all these plastic water bottles?" Amazing.
As we headed west from Portland (passing Intel in Beaverton) to the coast and turned south, this seemed to be the way of things. Somewhere past Lincoln City, however, this gave out and was increasingly replaced by ignorant country bumpkinism. Discriminatory talk of "towel-heads" and Mexicans was a huge turn-off. To make matters worse, all the restaurants were chock-full of country bumpkin fare. Fried everything, with tons of meat, cheese, and eggs. Accordingly, this is also where we began to see obesity in epidemic proportions. By far, most of the people we observed had weight problems, and this was also the starting point for seeing individuals who were morbidly obese. (Not that I have room to talk, mind you... just observing.) The prospect of enduring racism and homophobia while eating lettuce sandwiches for the rest of our lives was enough to scratch this place from our map for good.
This continued for a long distance and on past the California border. By the time we stopped in the redwoods and Arcata it seemed to be getting better, and we were pleasantly surprised by hickory-flavored tofu dip for your crackers (tastes like smoked cheese), vegan burritos, vegan soups, and other tasty delights in Arcata's local grocery. (We were unsurprised to see that the average waistline also fell dramatically.) I await San Francisco with watering mouth, in anticipation of the treasures to be found there.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Oregon - the coast - sand dunes
Sand dunes???
Yes, apparently the southern half or so of Oregon has sand dunes. Your first clue is when you suddenly begin seeing business signs for sandboard, sand sports, and dune buggy rentals. Up to 24-seater dune buggies can be seen in their lots. Then, here or there, you'll get a peek at the actual dunes behind them. There are also scenic viewpoints where you can stop and get a good look.
Overlooking the dunes, sunset over the Pacific in the background
Amazingly, thick forest still grows in patches in the sand.
Yes, apparently the southern half or so of Oregon has sand dunes. Your first clue is when you suddenly begin seeing business signs for sandboard, sand sports, and dune buggy rentals. Up to 24-seater dune buggies can be seen in their lots. Then, here or there, you'll get a peek at the actual dunes behind them. There are also scenic viewpoints where you can stop and get a good look.
Overlooking the dunes, sunset over the Pacific in the background
Amazingly, thick forest still grows in patches in the sand.
Oregon - Oregon Coast Aquarium
In Japan, folding 1000 paper origami cranes is a gesture of good luck. It is often done for weddings, or in hopes of improved health for an ailing loved one. The set on display here was one of several such projects done by a teacher and students, one of the goals being to instill values of thoughtfulness and compassion.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
