Northern Cali Trip, Day 5...Part 1

Independence Day and I could not be happier.  Today we are headed to the

Redwood Forest.

You'd better believe that we sang "THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND" more than once!

We took a very windy road to finally arrive at Montgomery Woods.

The kids were SUPER EXCITED to get their picture taken a million times while we were theduring this trip.  There were just too many amazing opportunities to pass up any of them.

The adults might have been getting a little sick of the picture taking too...

So awe inspiring...and these were the little trees!

Some of the trees here were saplings during the Roman Empire, which started about 27 BC, in case you were wondering.

The group once again.  Sadly Uncle Kerry twisted his ankle shortly before we took this pic and had to turn back.  It's amazing we only had that one incident with the way the kids were running up and down fallen trunks and over bulging roots.

Ant sized!

Can you spot the kiddies?

Redwoods grow in flood plains so the forest floor was lush with ferns and other lovely plants.  Luckily, we all avoided the poison oak!

One fallen tree shows us some of the root system.

Sweetie pie stayed back to walk with me.  I told her I loved her (and Jack and Jeffrey and Jane and Dad) more than tallness of these trees.  That's a lot of love.

The only sad part is being totally unable to convey the majesty and complete hugeness of the experience, as well as the peace and tranquility I felt there.  I did not want to leave.

At the end we tailgated, eating cold pizza from last nights dinner.

But our day isn't over yet...