Avenue of the Giants

Sequias and Redwoods are the same, which was news to us (same family, with some taller and skinnier). They stand over 300 ft. and are over 2000 years old. Some were here before the Magna Carta was signed in 1215! (thanks to the efforts of environmentalists) The "Avenue of the Giants" is a road that parallels hwy 101 in California and winds its way through giant Redwood groves. By the way, they are red as they have red tanin in their bark to dissuade insects and disease causing fungus. Jeepers, and we thought tanin was only good for red wine... They have thick bark to protect them from forest fires. In the picture of Dave riding through one, I have to add that it is still alive even though the centre was burned out. The trees redirect their growth after fires, amazing! Their roots are only 6 feet deep, but they intertwine with the others and they balance by growing limbs on the appropriate side of the tree. Now if we could just do that, after having too much red wine tanin we'd be majestic too.