Trees, anyone?

My arms aren't big enough to hug these trees, but I would if I could. My camera can't even take in one whole tree, much less the magnificence of this forest. Even this fallen one, right behind the plaque commemorating the visit of the founders of the United Nations to this spot. The forest is generally dark, with few openings for light to penetrate to the ground. Redwoods reproduce and propagate by sending new shoots up from a burl at the ground level or below. Apparently, this tree is under stress, and believes it's time is nearly up.

As I left the Muir woods, and was returning to the highway so I could proceed northward, I came upon this lush valley. I found it totally amazing that this scene is a mere five minutes north of the Golden Gate bridge!

By now,it's late, and I don't want to be rushing to set up camp in the dark, so I find a campsite at the next available state park - China Camp SP, which is built on the tidal basin at the north end of San Francisco bay. It's a walk-in camp, so it takes me several trips to lug my tent and cooking gear up the hill to the campsite. In a field next to the parking lot, a small deer wanders about aimlessly, totally ignoring the cars and people a few feet away. (pardon the focus - sometimes these automatic cameraas don't agree with me on what the important subject is!)

Tonight, I do something really decadent. I take advantage of the proximity of this campsite to the metropolitan area, and make several calls on the celphone. Sleep is interrupted by shouting from an adjacent campsite. In the morning, while enjoying my breakfast, I attempt a self-portrait, but I missed my cute hat!

Oh, well, pack it up and hit the road again. Heading up 101 towards a big solid green area known as the Mendocino National Forest. Along the way, I spot an oasis in the desert called Real Goods. I remember a company by that name back twenty years ago or so, selling all kinds of alternative energy gear, so I decide to stop and take a look. Sure enough, it's the same outfit. As a demonstration, they've built their office and showroom, and landscaped the grounds, and powered the entire operation with solar energy. The only question I didn't get answered was "Where did all the water come from?" They have a small pond, several orchards, and a beautiful fountain/solar calendar as the focal point for their main building. After looking about, stretching my legs, and signing up for their catalog again, I'm back on the road.