From the Redwood Forest

While in Yosemite, we hiked through the Redwood Forest, home of the Sequoias, the world's tallest trees.

There is one word to describe them: Majestic. Walking in the forest you feel like you are among the royal family of trees. I learned a few interesting facts from my Uncle Bookie. I was curious how they have survived so long, knowing how wood is prized.... I mean why have they not been cut down by loggers? He told me originally people tried to cut them down but found their wood was too soft and not good for building. I also wondered how they have escaped forest fires (at the time there were 1,000 fires burning in the area... it was a bad summer for Yosemite). Turns out that Redwood trees have a natural fire retardant chemical in their bark that keeps them from burning.We hiked about 5 miles which was too much for Aleigh and Jonas who settled for piggybacks when they got tired.Check out the roots!Do you see tiny Brent in the green t-shirt?We were told not to pick up pine cones so the trees can re-seed... one person in our group , who will remain anonymous, did not heed the rules...oops.

Grammie and Grandad explored with the grandkids.

Lisa and Brent, the newlyweds, were part of our crew. I love this picture.

Bridal Veil Falls in Yosemite.

Greyson and Jonas being "boys".

"From the Redwood Forest to the gulf stream water, this land was made for you and me".