Muir Woods and Golden Gate Bridge Overlook

 

Day 2 of 4-day trip to Bay Area in Northern California:

Saturday was Earth Day. Couldn’t have spent it at a more appropriate place than Muir Woods. 

Muir Woods is a rare ancient forest about an hour’s drive from San Francisco. It has the tallest living things on Earth. The Coast Redwoods ( Sequoia semper-virens). The tallest tree in Muir Woods is over 258 feet. Many are over 600 years old and have survived fires, floods and intense logging that led to destruction of the large amount of these trees that covered the northern hemisphere since 150 million years ago. The land here was donated by William and Elizabeth Kent in 1908 and promptly made a National Monument by President Theodore Roosevelt. It was named for John Muir who was a pioneer in protecting these trees in California. Over a million people visit this precious forest each year and enjoy the treasures of Mother Earth in its pristine surroundings. Prior parking OR shuttle reservations are necessary if you are going there. 

We spent half a day there hiking through the woods, taking in the fresh air, tuning in to the sound of the flowing waters of the Redwood Creek, staring in awe at groves of these towering trees and trying to find an aberrant 4 leaf clover( Redwood sorrel) that provided ground cover through most of the forest. It was a truly rejuvenating experience.

From there we took a scenic drive, the Conzelman road, that gives the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Another beautiful sunny day with a clear view of the GG bridge, Alcatraz and Treasure Islands and the SF skyline ! Couldn’t have asked for more. People were out in the Bay waters with their sail boats. There were cruise ships of all sizes passing under the bridge. It was windy however for pictures.

Saree is a beautiful red ,silk cotton weave from Assam, with elaborate Miri design in natural Muga threads on pallu and smaller buttis on the body.