From the Redwood Forest to the gulf stream water

Yes, we have fulfilled this song. This weekend we had traveled to Northern California to Humboldt County to take in the great outdoors. The redwoods are very magnificent. You have to see them to believe them, picture can't do them justice, however I did try. We only could stand in awe of these huge trees. There were some that were 370 ft tall, 17 feet in circumference, and 1200-1600 years old. These trees are so tall they have live in three different climates. WOW! It was amazing to see the fallen "giants." They lay on the forest ground. It take approximately 400 years for them to become apart of the floor. There was one that fell in 1991 that was so amazing it was 2000 years old. They fall from wind and rain. It was said that when this tree fell no one was around but the sound travel to nearby town and report something sounding like train and splattered mud over 15 feet up. So there goes that age old question "if a tree falls....yadda yadda" Sorry for the forestry lesson but it is something to pass along. Lastly, the one of the most interesting facts was the seeds of the tree are about a size of a grain of rice and they have the smallest pine cone (about a size of an olive).

This weekend was the first time that we went camping. It was the Ortiona's versus nature and I can say we came out on top. Ashlyn enjoyed camping and didn't mind sharing the space with mom, dad and Bailey (the dog). We got to travel to some quaint towns along the coast. I did see that one sign stated population 50. Ashlyn created great memories she got to hike some trails, roast hotdogs and marshmallows on a campfire. camp under the star (however hard to see them due to the canopy of trees), climb trees, and explore underground tunnels that were just her size. The only event we didn't get to apart in was actually driving through a tree. We had to drive the Tahoe and we were too big to fit through. I guess we have to save something for next time.

It was great to get away for the weekend and take in nature. I am happy to be back were you can find a town with more then a post office and a volunteer fire department. But I now look at our tree and just keep think of the wonderful beauty of the Redwoods.