My Brother Lives In A Redwood Forest

My brother lives

in a Redwood forest

deep on a mountain side

near the ocean

in Northern California

John Steinbeck wrote that

"No one has successfully painted

or photographed 

the redwood trees.

The feelings they produce

are not transferable."

 Often ranging in height 

from 250 - 300 feet tall,

these giant

Redwoods are known as the largest trees in the world.

 Yesterday we hiked 

through

Henry Cowell Redwood State Park

with only the

sound of the creek and rustling of leaves underfoot.

 We carried in a picnic lunch and dined

by the Historic Lime Kilns

built in the 1870's

 During their peak,

this forest was a busy area 

providing lime to make 

mortar and plaster for construction.

Local lime was in great demand 

while San Francisco was 

being rebuilt

after the 1906 Earthquake

 But now, all is quiet,

and serene.