I was at Big Trees State Park at dusk yesterday.

[Ladyhawk]

Unfortunately, there are some fires burning out of control in the area, but they caused the sun to light the redwoods and pink dogwoods with another kind of fire. They seemed to glow pink from within. It was all very magical and since I was basically alone, my mouth dropped open as I turned each corner, only to be met with another incredible vista. I was reminded of Tolkien's description of the woods of Lothlorien, except the dogwoods were green and pink instead of gold. I'd never seen such a sight and I've lived in these mountains most of my life. When I touched the giant pink-suffused redwoods, I almost expected to feel a warmth emanating from within.

Incredible!

It was an awe-inspiring experience, made even more powerful by the sight of the very first giant sequoia on the trail: the biggest tree in the grove that some 19th century assholes decided to chop down for the hell of it. The stump could support a good-sized room.

When I read the account of the finding of the tree, I was especially infuriated. The man was hunting a grizzly bear when he came across this giant tree. Of course, being Homo sapiens, nothing could stand in the way of the people of the time. So they extirpated the grizzly bear population and chopped down the largest tree in the forest.

Was everyone in the 19th century a Republican? :(