Autumn daydreams in Calaveras County
A late October weekend found me and my sweetie galumphing merrily through the Giant Sequoia forests of Calaveras Big Trees just east of Arnold, California. The morning breeze was downright chilly, but ten minute’s walking time had us roasty-toasty as we marveled, slack-jawed with astonishment, at the myriad Fall colors of the North Grove.
I could palaver on in plentiful prosaic platitudes about the experience. But words alone may not be sufficient to induce delightful daydreaming. Instead, I’ll let the following photos tell the story.
A plank pathway beckons the awestruck.
Hazelnut trees glow yellow amidst a sea of young incense cedar.
Low-growing mountain dogwood catches the eye with a rainbow of red hues.
Color, texture, and form: dogwood and chinquapin.
A giant redwood framed by cedar and dogwood.
Hardwood color and redwood shadow beguile to the beyond.
Living monuments at Nature Walk Signpost #26.
Suffice to say, I love getting away to Calaveras County, and I believe you will, too. In fact, I’ll be guiding a wine and hiking tour there next summer. I hope you’ll consider joining me.
October 23rd, 2007 12:44
Beautiful photos Russ!! So when do we get to hear about Twisted Oak??
October 23rd, 2007 12:52
Russ, I could see the first few pics before the text and I knew it had to be Big Trees. So beautiful in fall… I’ve only seen it in spring and summer. Must get back that way again soon.
October 23rd, 2007 13:01
Hi ladies! Really good to hear from you.
I do plan to post about our Twisted visit - perhaps this evening between loads of laundry! I may also post about the high trail to Bull Run Lake - east of Bear Valley - which we experienced Sunday.
October 25th, 2007 12:43
Wow, so are those the Redwood forests that we sing about in that song “this land is your land, this land is my land”?
October 25th, 2007 12:52
Yes, and they’re the few big trees forests remaining, Debo! I hope you’ll consider walking with me in this cool shady big trees grove next July.
October 30th, 2007 01:00
Winehiker Gets Twisted!…
It looks like we have both gotten too busy to post about their visit, but I did at least want to share this picture of Winehiker Russ Beebe and the lovely Cheryl visiting the tasting room at Twisted Oak Winery….
November 13th, 2007 10:34
[...] Indeed, I am infatuated with Calaveras County. In and of itself, I think it’s simply a good thing to be able to taste fine wines from a locale that many people have not yet considered. Soon, however, I think that wine lovers (and hikers, too!) will discover Calaveras County for the many well-made Rhone-style wines produced in its red-rust Sierra foothills. [...]