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Heads in the clouds
Driving North up California’s hwy 101 is a bit like traveling backwards in time, the landscape seems to grow more ancient as the road makes it’s way North. As my partner Shaunna and I drove away from San Francisco’s rolling, paved inclines the cityscapes gave way to large eucalyptus groves and sage covered hills. Not far North of the city we soon found wine country with mile upon mile of leafless rows of, pruned and still dormant grapevines. We traveled onward eventually entering the woods as the day turned to night over the highway. Sometime after nightfall I had to wonder aloud if my road weary eyes were playing tricks on me, as up ahead of our car I started seeing what looked like giant walls right next to the road. The illusion only lasted a moment because when we approached these enormous structures Shaunna and I realized that we were seeing coast redwoods up close for the first time. Excitement filled the car, and all that was heard for the next few miles from either of us were gasps of shock and the occasional “Oh My God!” Both of us had been dreaming of seeing these trees since we were kids, and driving through them for the first time at night was a little too distracting. We pulled off to rest the night in Garberville, just before the start to an old scenic highway named Avenue of the Giants. The next morning I shined up my camera lens and the two of us set out to meet the trees that had stirred our imaginations since childhood. Our first stop that morning was only a few miles outside of Garberville. The Avenue of the Giants is a 31 mile stretch of old highway 101 that twists and turns it’s way like a river through huge redwood trees. All along the way there are places to pull over and explore the woods. We quickly made our first stop in a grove of trees wider and taller then either of us had ever seen. We both took time to thank the trees, to pray for their protection, and to put out some tobacco as an offering for them. While walking our way toward the Eel River that snakes through the forest I noticed a scurrying below me and bent down to grab the little salamander at my feet. We took our pictures with this handsome fellah, and put him back where we found him so his family wouldn’t miss him too long. Walking among the giants Shaunna and I wondered what it must have been like for the native folks who lived here in the undisturbed beauty of these forests a few hundred years ago. We figured this rich and abundant land must’ve made for some fine living. Waking up beneath the protective canopy of these elder trees, and walking down to a river teeming with life to sing a grateful morning song sounds like a pretty good way to start each day. These trees have witnessed the people passing through them loose the greatest wealth mankind ever knew, the ability to live in balance with our environment. When peoples needs are freely provided for by their surroundings, folks end up with a lot more time to sit back and just be grateful for the life they live. I guess that’s basically why I spend so much time encouraging folks to grow their own food. When we grow our own food at home, and mix those food plants in with some native plants for the other creatures to enjoy we start to live in a way that taxes our environment less and begins to bring our corner of the earth back into balance. If we all just do our little part and empower those around us to do the same, we’ve got a chance to experience some of that fine living too.
After wondering through the trees all morning Shaunna and I made our way to Arcata, CA. A warm, welcoming town nestled into Humboldt Bay, about 30 miles South of Redwood National Park. We had a lovely afternoon and evening getting to know a few of the kind locals of Arcata, and visiting some of the town hotspots including The North Coast Co-op Bakery and Deli. The next day we woke up early and asked our hotel clerk for directions to some good hiking spots through the trees. The helpful clerk informed us that the Lady Bird Johnson Grove in Redwood National Park was an excellent choice for day hiking through old growth forest. The road from Arcata to Redwood National Park is one of the most scenic stretches of highway I’ve ever had the pleasure to drive. Rolling, redwood covered hills to the East that built up to a dramatic back-drop of snow covered mountains and fog laden valleys. To the West a rugged coastline of tall waves crashing against enormous jagged rock formations. Overhead and all around us ravens, seagulls, hawks, vultures, crows, and songbirds of all types would dart back and forth or hang lazily in the salty ocean breeze.
As soon as we saw the beach we had to pull over to taste the ocean water and watch the birds flying over the waves. After some time on the beach and a visit to the park information center we pulled into the empty parking area for the Lady Bird Johnson Grove. With the whole grove to ourselves we set out on our hike quietly chatting, taking pictures, and feeling the wonder of this magical place. It was in here that Shaunna and I began to reflect with each other about how blessed our life together is. Like the trees around us we couldn’t live the rich and magical life that we have without the support of our whole community. We all hold each other up, and support each other’s growth. For three years Shaunna and I have been growing together and helping each other reach higher and higher toward the light. Our roots are intertwined now, and so that day there in the forest I asked Shaunna to marry me. We had a ceremony in our own way in a chapel of the most perfect design, where we asked the grandfathers and grandmothers growing around us to hear our vows.
I am eternally grateful to my wife Shaunna for helping me grow into the man who is her husband. I am equally grateful for the life and experiences that I’m lucky enough to have on earth. One day Shaunna and I will go back to that rugged, beautiful country, and walk hand in hand again. I hope and pray with all I am that those trees are still there with their heads in the clouds unharmed by the foolishness of men, for us, and all our grandkids to know.
"In a moment the ashes are made, but the forest is a long time growing."
“The clearest way to the Universe is through a forest wilderness”
“You can't stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.”
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The Seed Vol. 23 Feb. 20, 2009 A Giving Tree Gardens Newsletter
Photos by Russ Henry and Shaunna McBride ©2009 ,Text by Russ Henry ©2009 by Giving Tree Gardens, all rights reserved.
In Love With The Redwoods
I remember as a grade-schooler learning about the forests of giant trees growing along northern California’s Pacific coast. Our science teachers would tell us how some of these Redwoods had trunks bigger around then ten men standing hand to hand, arms outstretched. My eye’s opened wide with amazement when I heard how these trees could live for more then two thousand years, and grow as tall as skyscrapers. I’ve dreamed of visiting these ancient creatures ever since my schoolteachers first inspired me, and this winter my dreams came true when I was blessed to spend a few perfect days hiking through the forests of northern California.
Standing in the majestic presence of coast redwoods I felt the vibrancy and intention of life pouring up through me from the trees roots. Inspired and enchanted by this magical place, I was overwhelmed with appreciation. I found myself wanting to honor my own roots, the people and places where I come from, and the relationships that anchor me to the earth. It was then and there on February the 18th some perfect time in the afternoon in the middle of a grove of redwoods that I asked my long time partner and companion Shaunna McBride to marry me. After gathering redwood twigs for a wedding bouquet from the forest floor, and after gathering the prayers in our hearts we stepped into our wedding chapel, the center of a hollowed out, living, grandmother redwood tree and exchanged our vows in the presence of the eldest creatures either of us have ever known.
This Volume of The Seed is dedicated to being in love, and being dedicated in love. After visiting the redwood forests I am not only newly dedicated to Shaunna, but I’m also devoted to honoring the place where we said our vows. My loved ones, and the redwoods have inspired me, and I hope this volume of The Seed will inspire you to be in love with the redwoods too. 
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Plant Profile: Coast Redwood
Sequoia sempervirens
As big as horses these Roosevelt elk roam wherever they please. Also known as Olympic elk, this is the largest surviving subspecies of North American elk. The Roosevelt elk is a conservation success story. Nearly hunted to extinction by white settlers, this majestic creature has rebounded from a population of a few hundred and now population estimates range in the tens of thousands. Their native range stretching along the pacific coast from northern California to British Columbia, the Roosevelt elk still live with the dual threats of habitat loss and climate change. In February and March the males will shed their antlers to begin regrowing them within a couple of weeks. As you can see by the middle bull who's already lost one side, we were lucky to spot these fellas during their antler shedding season.The Raven, a bird that can be taught to speak human languages is a tricky and intelligent animal. These two appeared to be a mated pair as they stayed side by side despite their quarrelsome tone. The Great Blue Heron below couldn't be distracted from it's daily routines just because of passing cars or gawking tourists.
The tallest trees on earth reaching heights between 300 and 400 feet tall, the coast redwood is a grand and majestic creature. Sequoia sempervirens lives in only a narrow strip of land less then 500 miles in length and between 5-50 miles in width along the Pacific coast of North America. They usually grow in coastal mountains where there is more precipitation from the incoming moisture off the ocean. The tallest and oldest trees are found in deep valleys and gullies, where year-round streams can flow. Shallow rooted redwoods drink water that drips down after condensing on their fog covered needles. Heavy seasonal rains, cool coastal air, and fog keep the redwood forests damp year round. Heavy rains cause nutrient runoff creating a highly interdependent ecological system within the forest. These earthbound behemoths rely on the forests tiniest creatures as their source of food. Soil microbes recycle every part of the trees after they fall so as to feed the next generation of giants. Coast redwoods reproduce both through seeds and asexually by means of sprouts growing out of stumps. No tree is an island and the redwood understands this well. Living in harmony with an entire forest community including Coast Douglas-fir, Western Hemlock, Tanoak, Pacific Madrone, and other trees along with a wide variety of ferns, Redwood sorrel, mosses and mushrooms. These ancient forests provide habitat for a variety of birds, reptiles, mammals, and amphibians. Old growth redwood stands provide habitat for the threatened Spotted Owl and the endangered Marbled Murrelet.Walking and exploring amidst these grandmother and grandfather trees was an honor the likes of which I may never be granted again. The presence of these wise old creatures is a source of strength and enlightenment for all of earths living systems. Get ready for Spring with a
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