Into the woods

We headed to Muir Woods today - the redwood forest that has been another of my favourite places over the last 20 years. In the early days - pre-children and when Kim was working days when I visited - I would spend hours here...walking as far into the woods as I could get and then sitting with pad and pencil in the stillness and dappled light. Many of the scenes in my still in progress novel were born in this place.

After the heat of Mt. Tam's peak yesterday, the girls were also excited to be headed down into the much cooler valley where the redwoods grow.

Unlike most of the tourists, we did not drive right to the entrance of the woods but instead went up the mountain to the Bootjack trail head, where we left one of the cars. We then set out on a 2 mile hike down through the woods, following the path of the creek as it tumbled its way down to join the larger river flowing through Muir Woods.

Far from the crowds and roads and cars, the girls followed Uncle D down the trail, loving it as he showed them all the places to climb rocks, look at small pools and waterfalls, learn about plants and trees...they are so fortunate in their uncle who is an avid nature enthusiast.

Kim and I trailed along behind or moved on ahead when the others were absorbed in their latest discovery. Miz C liked to keep us company too...

After 2 hours or so on the trail, we entered Muir Woods proper and unfortunately began to run into crowds of people who were not all quite so appreciative of the peace and wonder of the place. But the girls still loved it. I pointed out to Bryanna some of the places that had found their way into my novel. Fun for me!

Part way along the Muir trail, we came upon a group of people looking into the forest shrubs just off the path. A mother deer and her two fawns calmly nibbled at the ferns and gave absolutely no notice to all the humans gathered to admire them. The girls were fascinated.

A little further and we reached the end of the trail for us (the entrance for everyone else coming into the woods).

We had a bite to eat before we left. Brya and Cassidy liked the wooden bears at the visitor centre and as I snapped photos of them, I remembered one that Uncle D had taken of Cass on her very first visit at the time Sweetpea was born. Cass was 20 months old then. When I went back and found that photo this afternoon, I was amazed. Look at the colours she was wearing then and now.

Another great day!

Note: Tomorrow we head to Monterey for a 2 day adventure so no posts till late Tuesday. See you then!