Not Today

The weather was much better on Saturday -- no rain! -- so we headed for the Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. Phil has done just about everything on his "bucket list" except seeing redwood trees, so knowing that we could accomplish that in an easy drive from our Sebastopol cottage was an added inducement to come here.

The remaining coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) now grow naturally along the Pacific coast from central California to southern Oregon. The Armstrong Redwoods Reserve offered the opportunity to walk along trails and see redwoods of all ages, from new saplings to the two oldest trees there -- 1300 and 1400 years old, respectively, and more than 300 feet tall (91.4 meters). It put our very brief lives in a new perspective!

From there, we headed west to the coast, as I wanted to see the Pacific Ocean again. The deleterious effects of the recent heavy rains were in evidence, with standing water on some of the roads and recently cleared small slides to the side, as well as the Russian River overflowing its normal course in places. We stopped at several California parks along the coast to take photos, braving the fierce wind and grateful that there was no rain.

To see the ocean's power on a day like this is humbling indeed! No matter how powerful any nation -- or misguided person -- considers itself/himself, natural forces like these cannot be controlled. I find that very comforting.

["Not Today" as this blip's title refers to the fact that I took this on February 18. I'll post something to mark my 70th birthday today tomorrow...]

Blip 1748