| s/y Nine of Cups Muir Woods National Monument - California August 2012 |
| Don't forget to check out: National Parks & Monuments? American Odyssey...Part I? (Las Vegas to Denver) American Odyssey...Part II? (Denver to Boston) American Odyssey...Part III? (Boston to Vegas) Birds of North America? Wildflowers of North America? |
| Muir Woods is a remnant of the ancient coast redwood forests that blanketed northern California coastal valleys before the 1800s. A local businessman, William Kent, donated 295 acres to the federal government and requested it be named after conservationist, John Muir. It was proclaimed a national monument in 1908 by Teddy Roosevelt. Paths beneath the giant redwoods meander through the forest. |
| "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 |
| We strolled leisurely along the Redwood Creek to Bridge 4 and up along the Hillside Trail. We had limited time, but we enjoyed what we had. The Cathedral Grove was indeed a sacred kind of place. These redwoods, the world's tallest living things, are majestic, providing a filtered canopy to the shade-loving undergrowth and critters below. Nightshade and redwood sorrel carpet the forest floor and stellar jays flit from branch to branch. Shelf fungi reminded me of oysters. |
| From the hill above Muir Woods,we could see San Francisco Bay and a huge fog bank forming above it. California thistle is a noxious weed, but still beautiful. |