RIDING THE AVENUE OF THE GIANTS

  Aug 4: The Redwoods, as we all know, are absolutely Massive. They flank the famed Avenue of the Giants for mile upon mile upon mile. It is a shaded, winding road that runs beside the busy Route 101; it is quiet, the black asphalt dappled with sunlight, the air cool and moist even in August. Some of these trees were alive BEFORE JESUS. They were quietly growing as the Bubonic Plague killed off a third of Europe. They’ve been standing, reaching upward, photosynthesizing, as humanity has ebbed and flowed and exploded and invented and killed it’s way noisily and quickly through the centuries. The presence of such old, steadfast and powerful living things is humbling and beautiful. They are the Whales of the Land. 

Our bikes, whispering along, whisking us West thru this cathedral of nature, felt like the right way to traverse such a section of road. Slow enough to appreciate things...not even really wanting to stop for photos, just enjoying the light and the coolness. Last night in our tent, fly off, stars shining through the trees, distant throb of bass from a nearby reggae fest mingling with crickets--we got to sleep in the presence of the earth’s true Giants.