Southern-most Redwoods, Pacific Ocean and...

and bathing beauties.

Another species of big trees demanded equal hugs, so I drove to Big Sur.

Here lies the most distant southern outpost of the Coastal Redwoods. 95% of the original old growth Redwoods are a thing of the past seen only in photos. That outside deck/patio you are walking upon might be made of Redwood. The wood is tough, attractive and very resistant to wear and tear. 

I'm glad these specimens avoided the chopping block.

Here's a photo of a baby Redwood. Even the Mighty start out small. I am patiently waiting for my growth spurt.

Here's a gang of Elephant Seals after a long bender. That must have been some party. 

I hope they applied enough sunscreen.

I've run out of western movement. Barley can't swim. It'll be time to turn south and east soon.

Cheers!

Pinnacles National Park, California...

Welcome to America's newest National Park. This little known hard-to-get-to place began as a National Monument until it's upgrade in 2013. I would suggest vIsiting during the week. I believe it would be worth the effort to arrive here.

That is if quiet, low volume humans, sustainable space around your campsite and unusual (not take your breath away) landscape piques your curiosity. 

 I won't BS you, this isn't the Sierra Nevada, but it's nice. 

It's 7:47 pm and I'm already horizontal in Barley scratching out this post.

If you enjoy a swinging night life, don't bother to follow my wheel on this lifestyle I've chosen.

You would be bored beyond tears.

Ain't that tarantula photo something? They are pretty tasty once you sear the hair off of them. They are kosher too. 

Happy New Year II,

Jeff

Congress Trail, Sequoia National Park...

"Any fool can destroy trees. They cannot run away; and if they could, they would still be destroyed -- chased and hunted down as long as fun or a dollar could be got out of their bark hides, branching horns, or magnificent bole backbones." John Muir

With a name like Sequoia National Park, one would assume you'd be bumping into one gargantuan after another. So not true.

These ancient trees hang out in cliques. The NPS calls them groves. They don't run in a continuos range. They are quite content to keep company with a few close buddies. They are magnificent.

In a previous post, I mentioned how the wood's quality sort of sucks for mankind's needs. Despite this economic fact, thousands of these beauties were slaughtered as if they were game. 

In 1875, an average sized Sequoia was toppled by two loggers in nine days. A cross section was sent east for its entertainment value. Those pessimistic easterners (like me) deemed it the "California Hoax." Little did they know, they were getting the runt of the litter.

On the morning of Rosh Hashanah (5775 of the Jewish New Year. We've been around longer than the Methuselah Tree!) I took a silent, peaceful stroll along the Congress Trail. I got to hug the President, see the House and the Senate standing around. (At least these trees are awe-inspiring instead of yawn-inspiring). And finally see one bear.

For me, It was far more spiritual than attending a New Year service. I was already in God's Temple and there was no guilt involved.

As you can see from the last photo, in California if you can't beat the bear obsession, join 'em.

Happy Jew Year to all,

Jeff