More than ninety-five percent of Coastal Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) have been destroyed by European immigrants and their descendants. Yet, the remaining redwood survivors are testimony to resilience, rejuvenation and the immeasurable value of community.

I have spent time with Redwood trees several times over the course of my life. However, I was blown away by them when I ventured to Redwoods National Park twice this year, once on a scouting trip with my dearest, life-long friend, Lorrie, and then to guide a trip, Wonders and Wellness in the Redwoods, for Adventures in Good Company.

Words just can’t describe the sense of awe and wonder that I felt in this ancient ecosystem. But stopping to look more closely, noticing shape and color, texture, smells and sounds of the forest and record some of my observations in my sketchbook is the best way to keep my inspiration fresh and alive.

The park website also has fabulous information, so I noted highlights in my sketchbook and planned how we would slow down with our group to “Forest Bathe” and use our senses to experience as much as possible.

The native peoples of this area were also nearly decimated by European immigrants. We spent time with members of the Yoruk tribe who have lived along the Klamath River for centuries. The River is the source of their history, economic survival, sprirituality, and identity.

While they are continuing to fight for environmental and traditional rights, they had success in 2023. Along with other conservation groups, they were sucessful in removing the last of the dams on the Klamath which had prevented the natural life cycle of salmon, the most important fish to the Yoruk way of life.

The historical practice of carving fallen redwood trees into canoes has been revived and our group had five young Yoruk men who expertly paddled us down the Klamath River. It was a privilege to learn from them about their environment and people.

Our people have always lived on this sacred and wondrous land along the Pacific Coast and inland on the Klamath River, since the Spirit People, Wo’ge’ made things ready for us and the Creator, Ko-won-noekc-on Ne ka-nup-ceo, placed us here. From the beginning, we have followed all the laws of the Creator, which became the whole fabric of our tribal sovereignty. In times past and now Yurok people bless the deep river, the tall redwood trees, the rocks, the mounds, and the trails. We pray for the health of all the animals, and prudently harvest and manage the great salmon runs and herds of deer and elk.
We never waste and use every bit of the salmon, deer, elk, sturgeon, eels, seaweed, mussels, candlefish, otters, sea lions, seals, whales, and other ocean and river animals. We also have practiced our stewardship of the land in the prairies and forests through controlled burns that improve wildlife habitat and enhance the health and growth of the tan oak acorns, hazelnuts, pepperwood nuts, berries, grasses and bushes, all of which are used and provide materials for baskets, fabrics, and utensils.
(Yurok Tribe Constitution 1993) 

We also met with Lavina, a Yoruk elder, and walked with her to the mouth of the Klamath River. She spoke about her experience as a woman and some of the ceremonial practices for girls.

We spent time at the Pacific Ocean, kayaking in Trinidad Bay, and exploring tidepools at Sue-Meg State Park. Watching wildlife in their environments so different from mine–as well as the crashing waves–is good for my soul and my curiosity!

On two hikes, I loved being able to slow down, look more closely, and even sketch, with Meg. It can take less than ten minutes to quickly get the colors and shapes to illustrate a sense of the place in my notebook. Later, I can add more darks and notes on some of the pages. But I most enjoy sketching right in nature–my wild kin.

This trip reminded me that starting each day intentionally and in nature is important to my well-being. Inger and I led meditations and gentle yoga/tai chi flows next to the River with my Merlin app recording the birdsong all around us.

Spending time with in the incredible Coastal Redwood ecosystem has re-inspired my love and amazement of trees and their importance in our world. Trees have so much to teach us humans about the value of cooperation, communication, and diversity.

I was deeply moved by the book Finding the Mother Tree by Suzanne Simard, who has helped to revolutionize the way we understand trees.

My sketches were done in a Stillman & Birn 3”X 5″ Delta Series sketchbook with a waterbrush and ArtToolKit watercolor palette — it all fits in my waist pack for easy access.