Tuesday, April 20, 2010

This Land is Your Land

This land is my land...

Sonoma County, California


all photos in this series, QT Luong, TerraGalleria Photography
as provided by my son, his friend

Tall Redwood Trees in Morning Mist
Redwood National Park



A few years ago I decided to take my husband and myself to San Francisco,
rent a car and drive to Mendocino in Northern California, close to
the Oregon border.  I had always wanted to see the coastline and
Mendocino has a Jazz Festival every summer
and I knew Ned would enjoy that.
All I can say is that I am so glad we had a GPS in the rental car. 
I have never driven anywhere on a vacation so, to me,
this was an adventure.

What I discovered was far more than I could ever have imagined.

As we approach Earth Day on Thursday I thought we should all be reminded
of the preciousness we have in our country...
This is about the beauty of Sonoma County, California, home
of the majestic redwood forests.



once you leave the freeway North of San Francisco to go to the coast road
you will drive through a forest primeval, known as the
Jedediah Smith Redwoods,
the road is only a 2-lane winding road with the forest
growing right up to the edge,
there is no shoulder, you are driving in the area
of the oldest known living specimens on Earth.


this is not the 2-lane road, this is a gravel road within the park for the purists


rhododendrons below the tree tops

everywhere you look, gigantic stands of ferns, what looks to
be tropical plants, & their little yellow friend, the banana slug, 
see on the middle left of leaf 
close up of banana slug at home

ferns growing on walls with little steam

precious waterfall


the Russian River in Sonoma County


Roosevelt Elk in Redwood National Park, at home

view of the Pacific Ocean from Klamath Overlook in RNP

early morning mist over the ocean in RNP

My point in this...we almost lost the last remaining stands of these great
trees from negligent disregard of logging and development.  Along with
the trees, an ecology unlike any other on Earth, home to literally hundreds
of species, the Russian River is spawning ground for salmon and trout, and
then there is the coastline itself. 
Someone just like ourselves took a stand in the 1800's and demanded
the government take control of this area, but there are still stretches
which show the flagrant disregard for re-forestation as it is owned
privately.


 Mother Earth needs "mothering" by all of us.



please go to this link for more detailed information
about the RNP & it's history:





  • I didn't get to the vacation part of this little journey,
    or to tell you why the wines of Sonoma are so wonderful...
    that will just have to be another story.

    13 comments:

    1. This is wonderful and brought back memories of 2 yrs ago we had a 10 day tour of Calafornia though we didn't go to the same places as you, we went to among other places Yosemite National Park which I thought was breath takeing and Death Valley, Thanks for the memoreis, your pictures are outstandingly beautiful.

      Yvonne,

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    2. Oh, so gorgeous! I have only driven south from SF, which is lovely in a different way, will have to go back and head north. It reminds me of the song "Mendocino County Line," too. Beautiful post, thanks for reminding us of Earth Day, too!

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    3. You're so right, those places are beautiful! We are surrounded by beauty and often take it for granted - me included ..
      Have a great week!
      Hugs, Flaviana

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    4. Northern California is so beautiful, and I visited the Redwoods a long time ago, but still remember it vividly!

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    5. Here, here and AMEN! Loved the gorgeous images. I am also doing a post on Earth Day tomorrow.

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    6. Absolutely devine!! I adore redwood trees!

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    7. Hola!
      It's so nice to meet you=0) I love all you pictures and gorgeous jewelry!

      You entered my giveaway, but I don't have you as a follower. Please follow me to be part of the giveaway=0)

      xoxo,
      Carol

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    8. Marsha what a lovely post and what amazing pictures. I am so saving this in my travel file for that time I get to complete my dream journey from San Francisco to the Canadian border.

      The picture with the windy road between the redwoods.. *sigh* Like a dream!

      Earth Day and all other environmental and sustainable initiatives are SO important. I am with you all the way on this!

      xx Charlotta

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    9. Marsha,this post is wonderful.Those images are the most beautiful that I never see.
      Thank you for sharing
      Hugs
      Cecilia

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    10. I loved all of this photos, but especially the winding road through the wood. Beautiful work!

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    11. Beautiful scenic shots, great thoughts on the environment as well. And...looking forward to hearing more about these wines! ;)

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    12. The redwoods are just awesome. I lived in California many different times but only made it as far as Morrow Bay in my travels. I spent 4 days driving the Highway 1 along the coastline. The pictures I took were like postcards....totally beautiful.

      Now I'm back home in Tennessee..I'm only 5 miles from the entrance to our Great Smoky Mountain National Park...The biodiversity here just spins the mind...a small portion of the Smokies is a Rain Forest..just awesome.

      The wonder that exists in our United States is so amazing then you pull in the rest of the world and WOW! What an amazing planet..I think we'd better take care of it.

      Thanks for your wonderful post about the redwoods..the photos are breathtaking.

      And thanks for your visit today....The party you told me about sounds like a blast! I have about 30 vintage hats and counting.

      Have a wonderful day...

      Hugs,
      Stephanie ♥

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    13. Such a really brilliant post,deR Marsha!-)*

      These photos are absolutelly awesome...I LOVE Mother Nature SO much and all images tuched me,thank you very,very much!!!

      And also thank you SO muc for you visiting by me and for you lovely,wonderful comments!!!

      My hugs and Love,
      ***Violetta***

      ReplyDelete


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