It’s been a great month, including a successful blog tour that I thoroughly enjoyed. The fairies and I appreciate all who supported it! Thank you:)
It was equally nice to take a week off and explore nearby destinations with day trips. After releasing a book set in the redwood forest, it only seemed natural one of those days we’d venture into one. The closest to our house, and one we’ve hardly been to, is Muir Woods with Stinson Beach fairly close. So, I scheduled our time to park, yes you have to make a reservation.
We set out early to make the three-hour drive. It went smoothly, although when we got there the road leading down was fairly windy with no road barrier protecting the cars from going off steep cliffs. I tried not to look as we wound down to the park.
As soon as we parked, we ate a packed lunch and headed into the park. It was an easy walk on paved or wooden walkways. The tall redwoods towered over us as the sun filtered through the trees. I immediately started taking pictures, as I’m known to do. We crossed a charming wooden bridge over a creek and veered off the comfortable path to explore another trail. This turned out to be an uphill walk but offered spectacular views of the creek and trees below.
Then we returned to the main trail and continued on. We strolled through the cathedral grove where the sign encouraged all the be quiet, of course, no one was quiet. As we exited into an open area we saw hundreds of little red bugs flying around.
My husband commented with a slight grin, “Must be your fairies.”
I smiled and agreed. Why not?
This park was full of magic, and I just knew the fairies were close by. The little red insects turned out to ladybugs, which was pretty exciting too. Our hike continued and we’d stop here and there to touch the gentle giant trees. You could feel their energy and wisdom in that brief connection.
When it was time to go back, I turned the hike into a walking mediation to fully appreciate the beauty and peace that surrounded us. I felt stress and worries stripped away from me.
A quick stop at the gift shop where I added to my magnet collection for the fridge, we left the redwoods behind.
Then we took another nail-biting drive down to the ocean. Here we took in the beauty, meandering at the edge of the water and watched the surfers who had a parachute attached to their boards. I have no idea what it was called but it was fun to watch as they would get lifted into the air or glide across the water. This wind made it fun to surf but wasn’t good for eating. So, we decided it would be better to enjoy our packed dinner in the car and watch the ocean waves.
We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day of redwoods and ocean.
The other days were spent visiting relatives and going out on a lake to swim, traveling to Reno, and taking a day to drive around Lake Tahoe with a quick stop at Hard Rock Cafe.
Each day offered something new, but the one thing they had in common was they filled me with joy and wonder. My muse was equally inspired and couldn’t wait to get back to work on my latest book. I’ll update you more on that later but I can share it was my first NaNoWriMo challenge. The story includes a ghost, animals that can communicate, snow, and a serial killer.
Did you spot any fairies in the redwood trees?
NOTE: There will be no blog next week, I’ll be out enjoying the fireworks. Happy Fourth of July!
Also, I’ll be chatting with Beem Weeks and Stephen Geez on June 30 at 8:00 p.m. EST.
Here is the link to the Podcast for this Wednesday: https://www.blogtalkradio.com/voiceofindie1/2021/07/01/voice-of-indie-episode-048
I’ll send out a reminder on the day of the podcast! I’m looking forward to it and hope you can listen:)
Embrace your inner child by taking a break and exploring! D. L. Finn
Super post, Denise. I loved Muir Woods when I lived in the area. That drive to Stinson Beach is not for the faint hearted for sure. Thanks for taking me along.
It’s a beautiful area for sure, John. I used to visit my friend’s grandma in Mill Valley. Glad you could come along even on that drive…lol
Milll Valley was a nice place. We lived up the road in Novato and then Sonoma.
Both beautiful areas, I was raised in Castro Valley and then lived in Dublin for a couple of years.
Cool beans
So glad you had a wonderful time away. I love getting out in nature. Nothing like it to sooth the soul. Beautiful photos! And I’m quite certain, those ladybugs were in reality your fairies.
Thank you, I really did! Yes, nothing quite like getting out in nature. I’d like to believe those where the fairies:)
This sounds like a wonderful day and trip, Denise. We saw giant redwood trees in New Zealand and they were amazing. Enjoy the 4th of July.
It was a special day, Robbie:) They are amazing trees, aren’t they? Thank you! xo
Sounds like a wonderful time away, Denise, and the photos are lovely. Wishing you good luck for your podcast 🙂
It really was wonderful getting away and relaxing. Such beautiful spots I couldn’t resist sharing:) Thank you, Harmony!
Looks both restful and invigorating. Glad you had a wonderful time.
That’s a good way to describe it, Staci:) Yes, we had a of of fun being able to get out and explore again.
Sounds like a great escape.
It definitely was, Craig 🙂
What a peaceful and enchanting vacation. Getting to visit both redwood trees AND the ocean had to be magical. I did think of your fairies when you mentioned the red bugs…maybe they were disguised as lady bugs 😉
Wonderful photos, Denise. A great share!
It really was, Mae. I couldn’t think of a better blend of places to see. I wouldn’t put it past the fairies to disguise themselves as fairies so they could explore. 😉
I am glad to hear you went to meet your fairies Denise. Such a visit is so refreshing! Thanks for sharing those lovely pictures. Redwoods are my favorite too.
It was the perfect pkace to visit, Balroop 🙂 It really refreshes the soul to mingle with the redwoods.
Centuries ago, I attended USF and remember Muir Woods well. What an extraordinary area. So beautiful, peaceful, and fairy-full. 🧚♀️❤️🧚♀️
It is a beautiful spot. I remember going there on a field trip as a child, but not much after that as an adult. We always ended up in the Santa Cruz mountains for redwoods. So, this was an extra treat for us to go! It is peaceful and fairy full, I agree! xo
Trees and the ocean it can’t get any better what a wonderful break away, Denise…Thank you so much for following CarolCooks2 🙂
No it’s the perfect combination and couldn’t get any better! I’m happy to and thank you as well!
What a fabulous adventure, Denise! I loved that you turned the walk back into a walking meditation, soaking up the beauty and energy of the forest. Yes, I am sure the fairies were hovering nearby smiling! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks, Jan it really was a great adventure. It is a different experience to mediate the moment and capture the essence of it. I know the fairies notice that 😉
What a lovely trip! It’s cool that you have a Cathedral Grove in the redwoods- we have one in the cedars 🙂
I can see where it was a time of rejuvenation for you with those spectacular views <3
It was, Jacquie:) Cathedral Groves are the perfect place to walk, and I think cedars and redwoods look over similar 🙂 Yes, it was definitely a time for a much needed rejuvenation! xo
I’ve been exploring Northern California’s big trees too, Denise. It’s so hard to share the scale of these giants in photos. They’re so beautiful. And I can relate to the harrowing drives on the edge of cliffs. Yikes. Congrats on your tour. I thought of your book while wandering through the redwood groves and feeling thankful that there are still trees like these to enjoy. 🙂
How fun, Diana:) It is hard to capture the scale of their size, I agree. We want to take a drive through the Avenue of Giants this summer too. I’d like the take the Harley on a trailer and then drive that through them. There is so much to see, and I hope you are having fun exploring the gentle giants. it is hard not to feel grateful when you are with them. xo
We head back north to Oregon tomorrow, but what a wonderful time we had in California. Our fist visit. 🙂
Safe travels. Super glad to hear you had fun and got to explore. xo
What an amazing vacay:)
Hugs
It really was, Sandra xoxo
Hi Denise! Love your descriptive writing, even describing a trip; ”tall redwwods towering”, “road barriers protecting cars from going off steep cliffs”.
Happy 4th of July!
Thank you, Linda 🙂 So glad you enjoyed the trip visuals! I don’t think I’ll forget those cliffs for a while! Happy 4th of July xo
Wow, Denise, what a wonderful week of redwood and ocean you had. It sounds like to perfect vacation. Now you can write book 2 of Tree Fairies. I went through some of my old books and files and found a folding poster of the redwood that opens up to my height.
It was a great week of exploring, Miriam. That sounds like an amazing post you found and one that would take up the whole wall if you hung it! xo
No barrier along the side of the road would scare the bejesus out of me.
It certainly had that effect on me Sandra! I always wonders who decides where these barrier go— and don’t go.
Amazing trip through the redwoods, Denise. You are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful area!