Milestones
- 28th time camping in 28 months (SHOW ON MAP)
- 20th county in California camped.
- 3rd time camping in a redwood forest (SHOW THE 2ND)
- 1st time camping in San Mateo County
I was shocked by the contrast between where this campground (deep in a canyon forest) was only 5 miles (as the crow flies) from the town of Saratoga, CA. The secret was that it took me 40 minutes of driving on a 2-lane road, with 100 switchbacks and curves. It was so beautiful. I took this picture overlooking the area I was about to descend into.
When I finally parked, I setup camp in this gorgeous location. THIS FEEDS MY SOUL.
FUN FACT: Although the giant sequoia and redwood are closely related, they exhibit many individual characteristics that distinguish them from each other. The giant sequoia is found growing singly or in groups scattered for a distance of 250 miles along the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada in central California at elevations of 4,000 to 8,000 feet (SEE MY TRIP TO THE SEQUOIAS). The redwood grows near the Pacific Ocean along the northern California coast in a more or less continuous belt about 450 miles long and 15 miles wide. The bark of the giant sequoia is bright reddish brown, whereas that of the redwood is a dull chocolate brown.
I don’t have a lot to say about this trip. I agree with Ludwig Wittgenstein who wrote, “Everything that can be said, can be said clearly.” and “Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent”. I can’t describe this beauty, I can only show it.
I bought a windscreen for my cookstove. It definitely helped keep the heat in, even though there wasn’t any wind. I think it will speed up things.
At the far end of the picnic table, you will see a bear box. You’re supposed to put your food stuff in there. I have used them before. I couldn’t get this one open. I thought about asking someone to open it for me, but then I realized that I probably wouldn’t be able to get my stuff out the next morning. I decided to put my food in my locked car. I can’t eliminate all the possible risks. No one can.
Nice photos! Loved the close-up details.
Eeks!!! Is that poison ivy? In the foreground of photos 8 and 9, I see leaves of three. Remember: Leaves of three, let them be,… glad you steered clear of it (and the bears too)! Otherwise, what a fine camping spot.
Van, That was quite a trip and so much beauty with all those big trees! Glad no bears showed
up!
A beautiful place! Yes, indeed, food for the soul!!!
It was also a wonderful prelude to your Golden Gate adventure the next day!
Go Van!!! So fun to see your photos and so inspiring to see you doing grand things in amazing places.
Every time we are in the middle of redwoods, I have to go up and touch them to make sure they are real. They are so unbelievably big and surreal.
And speaking of clarity, are you sure the bear box is not where they keep the bears?
I took a short bike ride today just to see the spring explosion. Our roses are going crazy. Saw a horse-riding contest down at the local park. So fun to see beautiful animals and talented riders.