Experiencing the Giant Redwoods

On a trip through California this past week to visit relatives I was able to check something off my “bucket list”. Ever since I can remember I have wanted to visit the giant redwoods along The Avenue of the Giants in Northern California. Seems we were always in too much of a hurry to do it on previous trips, but this time we made it a point to see the redwoods. Hey, redwoods may live for thousands of years, but I’m not getting any younger and I certainly can’t match their longevity. These magnificent and massive trees can only be found in a couple of places, one being the good old USA. There’s good reason people from around the world flock here to see these ancient trees; the awe inspiring yet humbling experience of standing beneath their towering canopies is comparable to a religious experience. These giant sentinels have stood for centuries defying the ravages of flood, fire, man, and time. With wise forest management practices there is a considerable chance that when these majestic giants do eventually die many more seedlings will be able to sprout, hopefully surviving thousands of years like their predecessors before them.