We are in the Land of the Giants, Sequoia NP, where the oldest trees are 3,200 years old, the tallest are 311 feet, and the heaviest 2.7 million pounds. Their bark can be up to 31 inches thick. Sequoia branches reach up to eight feet in diameter and their tree bases up to forty feet in diameter (Source: James D. Knoke).
We are spending New Years with the trees, and hardly any people. Due to California’s severe drought, many parts of the park not normally accessible in winter are open, and we are taking advantage of it! (Please click to enlarge).
The satellite is not a happy camper up here which is why you haven’t heard from me for awhile, and we will see if I can get this post out. This is a shot of the sunset reflecting off the Sierras.
Most Giant Sequoia’s have been able to withstand fires through the millenia, here are some scarred survivors.
It is nippy up here but this lake should be frozen over and there should be at least 6-8 feet of snow.
This is where the Giant Sequoias live,
with their heads in the clouds! I envy them. They see us come and go.
Jim likes these wise old trees and “finds tranquility here.” Here he is absorbing wisdom.
I didn’t make this pinecone circle of love, someone else did, and left it for us here in the grove. Love & Peace to you from Sequoia! And the very Happiest & Healthiest New Year!
Beautiful photos. So glad you are there. Wishing you a happy new year.
Mil grazi and back to U x 2!
So majestic are these trees and so powerful!
Happy New Year Cindy!
I find them completely mysterious! Holding the secrets of the ages! Cheers to you my friend~
Magnificent!
I agree, they are!!!
Happy New Year to you too, Cindy, and have blessed days
>
π
π
Happy new year to you also! Wish I could be there with you guys!!! The park is so very beautiful!
It is just amazing and full of the mysteries of the universe!
Those are quite amazing aren’t they? Their age alone makes me gasp and then their size and girth is just mind blowing. We visited Muir Forest in May. It’s just outside of San Francisco and it’s just beautiful there. Maybe not as dry either. I’m really worried for the upcoming fire season in California. The really really need rain. Happy New Years to you, Jim and the trees xK
Muir Woods is lovely and yes the fire and drought situation is quite scary. No Cal does not look normal. So Cal is actually greener which never happens! Cheers & thanks to you~
Amazing Love the pictures makes my dreams want to come true soon. Travel. Happy new year
Oh yes travel confronts you with all the wonders of our maginificent planet! Hope start heading off SOON!
A very happy, healthy and peaceful new year to you & Jim, Cindy. Cheers! π
I am grateful to be hearing from you as I miss you and your brilliant blog! All the best for 2014!
Thank you π
Beautiful Cindy. A really wonderfull place to be bring 2014 in.
I agree, couldn’t be topped……the trees are going, “ho hum….I’ve seen 3 thousand of these New Years!” Mind-boggling!
Happy New Year to you and a big thank you for your blog!
Back to you! Both things & cheers too!
Beautiful! All the best for 2014.
Gracias y tu tan bien!
Profoundly moving – an amazing way to start a New Year! π
Yup. I purely love hanging out with these ancient ones……with no people around the sense of cosmic mystery is eerie! Cheers to you Rebecca~
Day 1 – we are off to a good start!! π
Woo Hoo!
Pawkisses for a Happy New Year my furriend π
Back 2 U 2 X 2!
Beautiful place to be, better than lots of people…. Wishing you a wonderful new year to come!
Oh yes, just the trees please! Incredible & Happiest of NY’s to you!
Happy New Year to you too,Cindy,.
All the best to dear Ranu!
Happy New Year to the lovely lady who brings me so much beauty throughout the year; my blessings…
The same sentiments exactly, flying their way back to you my friend!
Happy New Year. Looking forward to seeing your wonderful pictures throughout the coming year.
Wondering if there are any places left that you have not visited?
ooooooooh so many!!!! lol! thank goodness!!! So grateful you enjoy looking at them & cheers to you!
It must take your breath away standing next to them.
Eerie. Amazing. Spiritual experience. Especially with no people around.
Gorgeous photos. They exude peace. Happy 2014!
Yes they give one a sense of timelessness unchanging, which is peace itself. So happy you feel this~
Magnificent. Happy New Year to you and yours as well, Cindy.
Back 2 U X 2!
Gorgeous pictures Cindy! Happy New Year!
Thank you Judy! Look forward to our next year in blogging!
Great pictures. Happy New Year.
Ronnie.
Same to you with bells!!!!!
What a beautiful place! I’d love to live in a treehouse here. It looks very peaceful. Happy new year! ππ»π
This is just what i thought! A tree house 300 feet in the air, secure in those strong branches, with a ladder on a chain you could pull up when you want to be alone. It would be heaven up there with the tree and the birds and clouds! I could plant some in the Holler, but they would take too long to grow!
What grandeur–I always find these massive examples of Mother Nature’s majesty humbling. Her power is everywhere, but is magnified in such surroundings. Lucky you to be in the midst of the area as the year turns. My best to your family and you in the New Year.
As ususal you intuit things just as I think and feel them. What a gift! Thank you~
My pleasure–happy, happy New Year, and wishing you joyous days ahead.
Have a giant happy new year and a barking good 2014 π
I could send you a grow a Sequoia kit to your house, but the UK/US may have regs against that!! lol! At one time they covered the earth!!
Amazing how much has changed since humans have discovered that we can destroy things to make way for “progress”
Pathetically sad too, isn’t it~
Happy 2014. π
U2!
Sequoia forests are so difficult to photograph due to the immensity of the trees, but you did a great job. Happy New Year, Cindy!
Thanks, this was the first day, and the shots improved slowly, day by day. It is so hard to capture the grandeur!
Have a most spectacular time celebrating our New Year with the New Moon in the beautiful Sequoia NP! What a wonder!!! Namaste’ and blessings abundant Cindy!!
Namaste and all good things for you in 2014!
Happy New Year, Cindy! Too bad about the drought, but good for your visit. I spent a week hiking on the wilderness trails that use the grove as a jumping off point many years ago. Still regard the grove as a special place–those giant pine cones! Great pics, you really do get a sense that you’re shooting one of the world’s treasures. Ken
You summed this up perfectly and I am so glad you had time to be amongst them! Cheers to both of you~
Since I live on the edge of the Sequoia NP, you must have been relatively close recently. Good to know. Have a very great holiday and a wonderful New Year. its been great meeting and following you this year.
Oh, I would so love to meet you for a hike!! And how fortunate are you to live in this magical place. Meeting you has been a joy and I look forward to 2014!
Love and Peace to you as well my dear – Happy Happy New Year!!!!
Blessings to you and all you hold dear! You deserve them all~
Thanks for all your wonderful photos this past year, Cindy. Wishing you a very happy New Year. xx π
I feel like you and I are traveling sisters in blogdom, we are always off somewhere wonderful, and I so look forward to seeing where you next alight! All the best to you!
Happy New Year to you too, Cindy.
All the best,
Hanna
I love your blog and sharing these parts of your life! Health & Happiness~
Dear Cindy. I often focus on the way nature affects us. Thank you for your lovely reply π π
I know you do and I love your blog!
Happy New Year, Cindy!
May 2014 be a blissful, peaceful year!
π
For you too Hari!
You are a true treasure Hari!
Please join me for SERENDIPITOUS LIVING in the New Year http://wp.me/pP1C5-1f8
I will, thank you!
Happy New Year, Cindy. π
Back 2 U x 2!
Great photos. Happy New Year!
And to you my friend!
HAPPY NEW YEAR, Cindy! The very best to you and yours!
Look forward to seeing your creations for 2014! Health & Cheers~
Happy New Year, hope itβs a great one π
And I hope the same for you! Cheers~
Happiest New Year ever, Cindy. Love ‘n’ a hug, Cuz !
You are the best blogging cuz ever!
Awesome! Love and peace to you and yours too in 2014! Enjoy the trees.
And to you my friend, health, peace and happiness! Thank you for your rockin blog~
I agree with Jim: wise and tranquil. Happy New Year to you both.
And to you Russel, you have enhanced my 2013! Thank you!
The redwoods are awesome and awe-inspiring. They leave an eternal impressions. Thanks for taking me back… Wishing you and yours Peace, Love & Joy in 2014 and beyond, Cindy!
I have never left! I am a genuine fan of you and your writing! You bring joy my dear and are a treasure!
Dear Cindy. I thoroughly enjoy following you… I’ve just nominated you for The Versatile Blogger Award. You’ll find out all about it at http://4writersandreaders.com/2013/12/31/the-versatile-blogger-award/ Blessings, Bette
Ahhh, so kind & so appreciated!
Very nice photos! Happy New Year! Blessings, Natalie π
And to Natalie, only the best!
Amazing Shots (again) Cindy. Love your posts and your blog. Look forward to following along in 2014. Happy New Year.
As I do you, and your wonderful blog!
Happy New Year to you.
Bouncing back to you x 2!
I have always wanted to visit this place. I can only imagine how breathtaking it must be to stand in the presence of these trees. I hope you have a wonderful New Year, Cindy, and I can’t wait to see more of your beautiful photos in 2014!
I hope you have a chance to visit soon Miranda! I feel the same about you and your wonderful blog. I look forward to following you in 2014! All good things my friend!
Happy, happy, happy New Year, Cindy – again and again π
And to you too my dear! What you do is so important and I support you and your efforts 100%! Cheers to you and thank you! Look forward to more of you in 2014~
Stunning indeed, Cindy, SO stunning. Clear, brilliant photos. Oh, giants indeed. And then a lake in the midst. Awesome.
Happy new year π
Word also fall from your keyboard my dear and they so expressively and perfectly! Hugz to you for 2014!
Hi Cindy ,wonderful post.Amazing miracles of nature.Last summer my wife and l took our granddaughter to Sequoia .We saw wild animals and the fascinating general Sherman.Wishing you a joyous new year.jalal
So happy you all had the chance to experience this remarkable place Jalal and Happy New Year to you and your family!
Gorgeous…Happy New Year!
Visa versa 2 U x 2!
I love these amazing old trees and hope to spend time with them again this coming year. Glad you get to be there. take lots of gorgeous photos! Happy New Year!
So happy you’ve had the opportunity to amongst these amazing living giants & cheers to you too!
Majestic master pieces!
Happy 2014 π
xoxo
Only the best and brightest 2014 for you ‘ma deah’!
Awww…Thanks Cindy.
{Hugs}
Years have passed since we visited Kings Caynon-Sequoia area. We also visited in winter, but with several feet of snow. Only the area near the visitor’s center was open. They were doing controlled burns to reduce the under-brush. Odd to walk in snow with smoldering smoking coming up from here and there along the hike.
Oscar
Oh yes that would be an eerie experience and limited to the visitors center misses too much, but is better than not being there at all. This time we have total access to areas, trails that should have been closed and buried in snow. This drought is getting scary!
It is so nice to come across the symbol as such. Very nice set.
So glad you enjoyed my friend!
As always, your captures are fantastic! Happy New Year to you and yours. I hope you have a wonderful 2014. π
Back to you Jackie, wishes for only the best and brightest!
What a wonderful way to welcome in the new year…with such awesome sights!
Thanks for sharing these photos, Cindy.
Happy New Year to you!
Your kind words are so appreciated! Wishing only good things for 2014!
All the very best for 2014 Cindy I look forward to seeing lots more of your wonderful photos.
And I yours! Cheers to you and Jack~
What a place to bring in the new year. And a very happy one to you Cindy! x wendy Frohes neues Jahr:)
Yes no belligerent drunks and loud parties! The Happiest of New Years to you my talented friend~
As always, your photos are astounding and I love the unique way you send your Happy New Year greetings. I am so late in responding since life has still not really slowed since the pre-Xmas trip to California. But I save your posts for catching up on and they are always worth saving! Happy New Year to you my friend and may you find many more fabulous photos to share. ~Dor
Yes I miss your posts because they are so well written and witty. But, you are entitiled to a break! Good for you and Happy New Year too!
A wonderful place indeed to spend your New Years, Cindy. And Jim looks like he is truly enjoying communing with the trees. I like both Sequoia and Kings Canyon to the north. There are lots of great backpacking trips in the area, including one you can do out of Kings Canyon that includes Mt. Whitney (a slight hundred mile jaunt). π βCurt
Jim passionately loves Sequoias and Red Woods in general. I have been going to Sequoia and Kings Canyon since I was a kid, but this was the first time in winter and definitely the best! I backpacked once when in high school, 13 miles in one day! 100? No way!!
I want to buy a cabin on Mt Whitney but we can’t figure out how. Cheers to you Curt~
Pow! What a great shot to open with–it was as if I were at the foot myself. Lovely sequence. π
They are so thought provoking aren’t they! Thank you for your nice comments and cheers to you my friend!
Liebe Cindy mit Schlangen ist nicht mein Ding aber die wunderschΓΆnen groΓen BΓ€ume die gefallen mir sehr und wie klein der Mensch da ist einfach super Fotos danke dir fΓΌr diese schΓΆnen Fotos ein gute Nacht wΓΌnsche ich dir in Freundschaft Klaus
Ich mag keine Schlangen entweder Klaus und die Baume sind noch schoner!
Both of your trees posts were excellent, your thoughts along with the photographs were beautiful! Thanks for sharing this with all of us! Robin
The thanks go to you for the apprecation! Cheers to you~
Your camra has captured the splendor, beauty and wonder of those magnificant trees.
I felt I was in a sacred place when i visited the Giant Sequoias.
Experiencing the tranquility of natural cathedrals is a blessing.
Nice meeting Jim he looks at home with the wise old trees.
Yes!! “Natural cathedrals” that are “sacred places.” This is IT exactly Jack!
Very beautiful photos and I can imagine that Jim was taking tranquility there by the threes and I thought that the last photo was very nice π !
Hello my friend! Great to hear from you! Yes, Jim loves the redwoods and sequoias, and they release serenity from their pores like a magical elixir! Mil grazi~
This one brought tears to my eyes. One of my favorite stories my father would tell me when I was a little girl, was his visit to California to see his father & when he first seen the Giant Sequoia Tree’s. Although I’m not sure if this is the exact same place my father visited, it was enough to trigger that memory & have me quiet & thoughtful…feeling as though my father was looking over my shoulder & smiling with me. Thank you Cindy! Jim’s feeding off the wisdom indeed~we could all use some of that natural wisdom from these majesties. What stout, proud soldiers standing guard over their forest. And you my dear, what a gift God has given you & how you’ve mastered that gift. You take our breath away Cindy, with each & every picture!! This is one of my favorites!! π
I think your father must have been looking over your shoulder and smiling with you and this lovely image gives me goosebumps. It is impossible to be around these incredible ancient living giants without a strong sense of spiritual wonder. I as so very happy you feel this. Jim wishes to do a guest post about this particular tree and your synchronistic comment has nudged me to ask him to do so. Thank you and hugz to you both!
I really want to go climb a tree right now. The scarred trees….beautiful. I love this post.
Stellar photos – WOW! I’ve been to the Muir Woods and that was stunning, but I’ve always wanted to visit the Giants of them all. What a perfect place to bring in the New Year!
We visited SNP in 2012 as part of our tour of the SW. We loved it, by far one of our favourite places, and before we started planning the trip [we are in the UK] we’d never heard of the place! And I love trees! SD
So happy you were there! It is pretty impossible to fully appreciate without actually being there. Cheers to you and have a good day~
Impressive. Congrat Cindy! Really great pictures.
Just happy you enjoyed them! Thanks so much & cheers to you~
Very nice post Ms Cindy, I hope you enjoyed your time up there.
Loved it!! Cheers to you and thank you for the nice comments!
gigantic, colossal, monstrous. I I have not seen such trees.
It is so eerie it walk amongs them, knowing they have been around for thousands of years! I doubt they are much impressed by us humans.
The top tree is like a ghost figure of eerie. It must be frightening to walk among them at night.. π
I have done it. These groves are magical places. The feeling of peace & serenity and spirituality is so powerful. No fear at all. Serenity~
You have a nice soul π
As do you my dear friend. This is why I love to blog, I get to know people like you! <3
I know
That is one place where awe-inspiring in an inadequate description. I love the trees. And your pictures.
Yes, it is a spiritual place. So glad you feel about this as I do! <3
Reblogged this on From guestwriters and commented:
The beautiful photos of Cindy Barton Knoke not only reflect the amazing splendour of God’s creation, they also clearly show the nullity of man in that great whole.
These photos are also a wonderful gift to use every year to open it, with good intentions.
We wish you a wonderful New Year, in a nature that we must certainly stand up for, so that people do not damage that beautiful wonder further.
I share good intentions with you and thank sincerely. Be well.