| Re: Wed chat and Tom's continuing vactation. 6-19-2013 |
Subject: Re: Wed chat and Tom's continuing vactation. 6-19-2013 by teebee on 2013/6/20 4:13:30 We are in Merced, California tonight after a long day in the mountains. I want to say that today I found a roadtrip that not only rivals the “Tail of the Dragon”, but surpasses it without question. California Highway 245 from Lindsay up toward Sequoia National Park. And unlike the “Tail”, there was very little traffic. In the 30 odd miles we only met 4 cars. I had to slow down, not because of the cars’ limitations, but my wife’s. Do a google map search for the road and look at the winding, switchback and change in elevation road on the map. It was FUN. Well day 4 of our on-going vacation. Today was the Sequoia National Forest/Monument to see some BIG trees, and man we weren’t disappointed. These things are HUGE! I talk to my students about how big they are, but until you see them, in person, you can’t imagine the size. These trees are one of the wonders of the world. The “General Sherman” is the largest living thing on earth. It’s not the oldest of the Redwoods, it’s only 2700 years old, there are trees that are 3000 years old. It’s not the tallest, it’s only 275 feet tall, some are well over 300 feet. But it is the most massive. 38 feet in diameter and the thing about these trees is the diameter is pretty consistent all the way up. The largest branch is almost 7 feet in diameter, that’s bigger than most trees will ever get.. If I remember correctly, it contains somewhere around 350,000 board feet of lumber. That would be enough lumber to build 40 some odd, average houses. The thing about these trees is they grow on solid granite. The root system isn’t very deep, but it extends out dramatically.   This one give some scale to the trees, that Rosie standing at the base.  A little closer shot.  Here I am standing at the base of the General Sherman. I am about 30 feet closer to the camera.  Here's a full shot of the General. Look closely and you can see the people at the base.  A shot from a little different angle  |
