July 28 - California Redwoods

Today, was an early day for Josh and Caden. They were up and out at 4:30 to meet their fishing guide and boat at 5 a.m. They had a great time and caught lots of salmon and steelhead. Caden caught 3 steelhead and about 10 salmon -- completely by himself. He was one proud boy!  Josh caught plenty as well.

They saw seals playing in the river -- one stole a steelhead off of Caden's line and came up to the boat with it in its mouth to flaunt its catch! They watched a bald eagle swoop down and grab a fish out of the water. They also saw a wild Hereford bull! Apparently, some time ago, a group of cattle washed down the river. Now, descendants of the escapees roam the river banks. (You can apply to hunt them through the local Indian Reservation.)

The great news is that we have some salmon fillets for our campfire dinners!

Too Early!

Self-Portrait

 

Easton and I bummed around camp this morning, looking at bugs, birds, and chickens. Stellar Jays, really striking birds, visited our picnic table several times today, but they must be camera-shy, as they knew the moments when I wasn't able to capture them.

The campground has a chicken coop constructed from an old pop-up camp trailer, and they let the chickens out to roam during the day. A rather ingenious (and cheap) way to make a mobile coop! Josh and I were recently talking about mobile chicken coops and how they are using them in pasture management. I'd have to paint mine some silly color, like fuchsia. Call it "The Chick Trailer". Lol. This is so happening... ;)

On our way to the park, we stopped off and drove though a Redwood tree. Pretty neat!

We also stopped to see the gray whale who has lost her way in Klamath Creek. You can see her from a bridge about a mile up river from our campgrounds. The gray whales annually migrate along this coast, but aren't supposed to head up river. The poor thing has made national news. I hope she finds her way back soon!

Lost Her Way.  We wish her luck!!

People lined the bridge to see her.

We spent the afternoon hiking in the Redwoods. I have to say that so far -- this is my favorite.

Fire Scars

Prior to the last ice age, Redwood forests covered much of the Northern Hemisphere. The forests retreated with the ice to a few regions. There are three remaining types of Redwoods: Coastal -- found in Redwood National Park, the Giant Sequoia -- found in central California, and the Dawn Redwoods -- once thought to be extinct but re-discovered in China. The surviving Coastal Redwood trees have found the fog shrouded coast of northern California to be an ideal environment.

The former area of the Redwood forest extended from southern Oregon to Big Sur, California and covered millions of acres. Intense logging of these giants has reduced their size so that just under 4% of old-growth remain. About half of the remaining old-growth Redwoods is currently protected in national and state parks.

Efforts to re-plant are underway, but it will require 20 generations before these areas will be fully mature.

In addition to logging, climate change also threatens their existence. The fog, which creates the humidity and moisture they rely on, is diminishing. Fog is generated by cool ocean temps meeting the warm California air. There is less fog is being created due to rising water temperatures -- making it a matter of current concern and one that is currently being researched.

Aside from being awe-inspiring to see -- more on that in a moment -- they are nearly miraculous in their ability to absorb carbon dioxide. A mature Coastal Redwood can store 400,000 pounds of carbon in its trunk. So, two mature redwoods can absorb an average American's lifetime carbon footprint! That is a serious air filter!! Either Coastal or Giants have been planted successfully in every state. I intend to sow some seeds and give it a try!

We hiked the Lady Bird Johnson Trail, which was dedicated to the First Lady in 1969 by President Nixon, Johnson, and then-Governor Reagan.

Dedication Site

The feeling of serenity and smallness is overwhelming as you walk amongst the giants.

Imagine any other forest you have walked through. The trees create a low, shaded canopy where underbrush is able to grow.

In the Redwoods, the shaded canopy is nearly 200 feet above your head. So the forest floor is full of ground-cover, giant ferns, smaller trees that hang with angel-hair moss, as well as lots of animals and birds -- including black bear and mountain lion that thrive under their tall protection. As we moved through the space that they created, I felt like a tiny forest fairy flitting along. Our hike is a tiny blip on their 2000 year radar.

Giant Ferns on Forest Floor

Moss Covered Undergrowth

Forest Fairy Wonderland

The Coastal Redwoods max out at 380 feet tall, 22 feet in diameter, bark that is 12 inches thick, and 2000 years old. The Giant Sequoia, which we'll be visiting soon, get to 310 feet tall, 40 feet in diameter, 31 inch bark, and 3200 years old. Remarkably, the trees do not have a tap root, so their roots extend only 10 feet into the ground and spread for up to 80 feet. Their thick bark and resistant wood makes them impervious to disease, insects, and wildfires (and a desirable wood for loggers). The trees have scars proudly displaying the various fires they have survived. About the only thing that can fell them before they live to an old, old age -- other than a lumberjack saw -- is a strong wind, which can uproot them.

Rough Bark, over one foot thick

Amazingly, they also need very little of their trunk intact to continue living. We drove through one, and saw many along the trail whose centers were hollowed out. Apparently pioneers sheltered their livestock in these hollow trees.

Completely Hollow, but still alive

Moss Covered Stump of Uprooted Tree

 

Easton the Shrimp

It's a Big, Big World

Getting a good look at the fire engine

After hiking, we returned to camp. While we were eating pizza, Caden asked when we would be "getting out of bear world" (leaving bear habitat). He was a happy boy to hear that it was on to San Francisco tomorrow! Easton still wants to go home to Kitty and Rasca. ;)

Josh and I have really enjoyed northern California. The beaches are beautiful, the weather has been glorious (warm days and cool nights), very few mosquitos, and really great people!