california redwoods and a winner!

it was time for our trip to end. we had traveled up the interior of california, to the eastern sierras, to white mountain and the ancient bristlecone trees, staying overnight in big pine. then on through yosemite, back to the coast and san francisco, sleeping one night in the city before continuing up highway one, stopping at pt. reyes and nearly every small coastal village on the way to our destination, mendocino!

this is the last post of the trip, we're heading back down now, back home, along the way attempting to see some of what we didn't on our way up.... would you like to come along?!

 muir woods national monument. but first...

 leaving mendocino county we passed lighthouses, this is point arena

and sheep

we made a detour to pt. reyes national seashore again. this time to the western most end (near the pt. reyes lighthouse) to see...

 elephant seals!

we stayed in a charming hotel in stinson beach

the room was so cute and tiny, and tilting, we had to sleep with our heads at the foot of the bed  :)

the sand dollar restaurant next door was yum! and we did not miss the wine hour here  :)

everything was closed by the time we arrived, but it was fun to look around

the next morning, we were the first ones here...

muir woods national monument is a remnant of ancient coast redwood forests that blanketed many northern california coastal valleys before the 1800's.

local businessman william kent and his wife elizabeth thacher kent bought land in this valley in 1905 to protect one of the last stands of uncut redwoods

to ensure permanent protection, they donated 295 acres of redwoods to the federal government. in 1908 president theodore roosevelt proclaimed the area a national monument.

at william kent's request, it was named for the conservationist john muir.

thanks to the inspiration of john muir and the generous gift of the kent family, over 100 years later we are still able to experience this ancient old-growth forest.

we have been entrusted to carry on the legacy of kent and muir, protecting this awe-inspiring place for future
generations and working towards the preservation of wilderness, wildness, and natural wonder

a burl growing on this tree

quiet

can you hear?

the trees?

this is the best tree-lover's monument that could possibly be found in all the forests of the world. you have done me great honor, and i am proud of it ~ john muir to william kent

if you'd like more information on muir woods, go here. i wish that everyone could experience this ancient forest and the magnificent, hundreds year old, california redwoods in it. sights and sounds including water flowing through redwood creek, birds calling and wind blowing through trees, are some of the experiences to take with you, to keep in your heart, from this very special place.

thank you for such kind comments on the kantishna experience post! there is so much more
to share about alaska, i hope it will still be interesting! another post coming soon, and...

the winner for the alaskan wool, antler buttons, and quivit sample is:

kristen of cozy things

congratulations kristen!

please email me at lorix5@hotmail.com 

and i'll send your package right off to you kristen. if you didn't win this time (i wish wish wish
there was enough to send to all) a few more lovely giveaways are coming up soon!

xxx lori