Our trip to the Pacific Coast included a visit to the Redwood forests of Northern California where we camped amongst these stately, towering giants. Our souls were never more at peace than in the dark and stillness of the California Redwood forest.

Redwood National Park was established in 1968 and is designated a World Heritage Site, reflecting worldwide recognition of the Redwood Tree as an irreplaceable resource. In 1994, The National Park Service and California Department of Parks and Recreation began managing the parks cooperatively, ensuring joint management of this critical coastal biosphere.

Coast Redwoods grow to a height of nearly 380 feet and live to 2,000 years. Giant Sequoias only grow on the Sierra Nevada’s western slope. They grow to 311 feet but live up to 3,200 years. Both are national treasures.

Photos cannot adequately convey the feeling of walking in a forest surrounded by giant trees. It is both humbling and a joy to experience. Make a point to visit. So many trees have been lost to fire and their survival is increasingly challenged by climate change.

At our campsite, we were harassed and buzzed by and new type of bird: the Stellar’s jay. We have been seeing this species recently in this part of the country, beginning in Hood River, OR. Although they are related to the eastern Bluejay, their plumage is an amazingly deep blue and they have a pronounced crest. Such a beautiful bird with such big-mouthed and aggressive behavior!