The Redwoods

May 25

Nate and I wanted to do the all day trail at Yosemite National Park, but there's a lottery and you have to have your name drawn months in advance. We found that information out last night. So we decided to go to Muir Woods, which was closer and worth the trip. On the way there, we had to go through a tollway. We didn't have cash as we approached it, so what happens? Nate takes a dirt road (unofficial road) to get off, technically illegal and went the wrong way for a little bit so we can go get cash. Due to the time of day and full parking lots, we had to park alongside the road almost a mile away from the entrance. As I got out of the car, I tripped on this plant...

 ...which turned out to be this poisonous. I don't know what it, but it hurt and left quite a mark.

 Ironically enough, Nate then touched it with his finger on purpose where a similar reaction/mark took place. I tried to walk it off as we got to the entrance. It got worse, before it reduced in size. We entered the park and oh my goodness...It was GORGEOUS! It was almost as if you entered a forest of make believe. 

 Are you getting out big they?!

 We walked along the boardwalk for awhile before going on our own little adventure that was 7-8 miles long. The tree below is called the Kent tree. It's the biggest redwood tree in the park. It fell over in 2003.

 This is the bottom part of the tree. If you can't tell, it's ENORMOUS!!!

 He's not really a tree hugger, but...we wanted to see how far we could wrap our arms around the tree.

 I'm in the inside the tree!

 Do you see the eye?

 This tree is being held in place by it's roots. The thing about redwoods is they are the largest organism on earth! They grow really tall and one tree can create shoots out of their roots, creating more trees. They can also fuse together to create a massive tree. Their cousin is the sequoia, which is two to three times in thicker width, but also shorter. 

 Normal tree on left, redwood tree on right.

Get the picture?

These trees were beautiful! The hike was a lot of fun and a great workout. We finished up around 2:30/3 and headed back to our car. We came home, did some grocery shopping and then I made dinner, avocado chicken, one of Nate's favorites. We then settled in for a movie, 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days'. I love this movie and Nate had never seen it all the way through. But he liked it, despite the awkward/contentious parts at which he left the room as usual until it was over. Lol silly boy!