A short stop at the Muir Woods. My arms aren't big enough to hug these trees, but I would if I could. My camera can't even take in one whole tree, much less the magnificence of this forest. Even this fallen one, right behind the plaque commemorating the visit of the founders of the United Nations to this spot. The forest is generally dark, with few openings for light to penetrate to the ground.
Redwoods reproduce and propagate by sending new shoots up from a burl at the ground level or below.
Apparently, this tree is under stress, and believes it's time is nearly up. I find a campsite at the next available state park - China Camp SP, which is built on the tidal basin at the north end of San Francisco bay. It's a walk-in camp, so it takes me several trips to lug my tent and cooking gear up the hill to the campsite. In a field next to the parking lot, a small deer wanders about aimlessly, totally ignoring the cars and people a few feet away. Tonight, I do something really decadent.