Ever since I was a young girl there have been a few things that I have always wanted to do or see. Nowadays they call this your "The Bucket List", but these have never been "I must see this before I die" desires, but rather something I have always thought would be a joy to do.
The first item on my list came to me about 1962. Every Sunday we would watch "The Wonderful World Disney" TV show at Grandma and Grandpa Eppert's house. Sometimes they would even show little snippets of Disneyland. Ever since then I had always dreamed of seeing "The Magic Kingdom", and finally, in 2011 my dream came true when I visited Disneyworld for the first time.
The second item on my list came a few years after the first. My Parents built a Redwood log house in 1966. I was fascinated with the aroma and beautiful color of the redwood and had heard of the Redwood Forests. I pulled out our trusty World Book Encyclopedias and read everything I could about these giant trees. I have always wanted to see them, and this Memorial Day Darryl and I did just that.
Sunday after church we made a bed in the backseat area of the truck, packed some toiletries and food and headed southwest toward the beautiful Oregon coast.
We stopped several times to enjoy the view and the fresh sea air, and even take a few pictures.
As we watched the sun set behind "The sisters" we started looking for a campground where we could spend the night.
Even though it's best to make reservations for a camping spot this time of year, we lucked out and got the very last site available at Harris Beach State Park just south of Brookings, Oregon.
It was a quiet and peaceful night, and I would like to say that I slept well, but a late night phone call from our daughter-in-law Alisa, telling us that Cody had to be admitted to the hospital with a severe infection in his knee and they were talking about doing emergency surgery made for a restless night for me.
MEMORIAL DAY - MAY 28, 2018
We drove to Crescent City, California and entered the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.
We only drove a mile or so up Howland Hills Rd. when we saw these beauties.
Breathtaking, awe inspiring, remarkable are a few words that came to mind. I am so glad we went in the morning and could see the rays of the morning sun coming through the trees.
I can't help but wonder at the size of the saw used to cut a tree trunk that big!
We hiked through the Stout Memorial Grove, an easy hike with so much to see and the sound of the river in the background.
There were quite a few people hiking in the grove, but there was still a quiet reverence that pervaded the forest.
These are quiet giants that seem to say... "Come close and see the handiwork of God."
As I looked around me at the grand majesty that was this one grove, a scripture from the Pearl of Great Price came to mind...
Moses 4: 8 And it came to pass that Moses looked, and beheld the world upon which he was created; and Moses beheld the world and the ends thereof, and all the children of men which are, and which were created; of the same he greatly marveled and wondered.
There was more beauty and peace here than I ever realized. It is truly a Marvel of God and Nature.
A quiet walk in the realm of the Giants does wonders to heal the soul.
I do hope to see the other Redwood Forests someday, but until then, I have fulfilled a life long dream and it has instilled an even deeper love and understanding of how much our Father in Heaven does love us. He created all of this for us to bless us.
What a joy!
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