Extra Milers and New Places

Updates: We found some Extra Milers at the RV park just outside Weott, California (Myers Flatt). We asked where we could park our RV while we drove the CRV down the Avenue of the Giants (checkout is noon and we thought we might be taking in the sites until about 2:30 or later). The manager told us it was not problem to stay hooked up until we get ready to leave because the park wasn't expected to be full. They didn't charge us a penny to stay connected for several extra hours. When I went in to thank them for their kindness...his wife said, "It is absolutely our pleasure to share our park...we are always happy when someone has found the peace of our land."

There has been a significant difference in how we have reacted to the various landscapes. Maybe it has a lot to do with the fact the the Senior Olympics/Games are over, as I do feel relief that the competition is behind us. We were talking yesterday about how most previous hikes (with the exception of Yosemite) had us moving quickly through the paces - hiking at a quicker pace and generally moving fast. Yosemite changed the pace and I found I was breathing more deeply. Yesterday, we spent an entire day in the middle of the Avenue of the Giants (the huge Redwood trees in Northern California), taking in the splendour of these beautiful and very old trees. It is estimated that some of the trees could be over 2,400 years old. They are said to be the oldest living thing - ever. These massive giants surrounded us, reaching for the heavens and commanding us to gaze upward in calm glory. I climbed upon one of the fallen trees and felt an amazing peace. I had no mind-chatter and maybe for the first time in my life I was able to clear my head and meditate. This place was good for me...I wish we could all have a grove of redwoods in our backyards...especially our politicians and leaders.

I also found another Extra Miler in California. I was looking for some Redwood burls (pieces taken from the trees - sort of like wart growths) that can be placed in water and sprout small redwood trees (sort of like a chia-pet), and we stopped at the Crescent City, CA Mercantile. The woman said there was one place in the city where she saw them but couldn't remember. She wouldn't let me leave until she made multiple calls to find the burls. Finally, she remembered they were at the local Walgreens and I was able to purchase a couple. Hope I can keep them alive through the rest of the trip.

We will miss California...but look forward to Oregon and the states to the north of us. Nite ~ Carol and Ken