A Campfire Story . . .
Welcome to Beautiful Anderson Valley! You may have noticed crossing a river on your way to the entrance of the park. That is the Navarro River. You may also have noticed some wineries on your way here too.
These Woods are old growth redwood groves! There is Big Hendy grove and Little Hendy grove. You certainly know you are “In the Woods” when you arrive at the park! It has that woodsy, decaying funk to it.
The Big Giants have reached Great Age! These trees stand guard to those that visit the park. IMAGINE the stories these Big Giants could tell from generation to generation!
There was a man back in the day that called a fallen redwood stump home. That man was the Hendy Woods Hermit! The parks has hermit huts available for campers and backpackers.
Joshua P. Hendy laid claim to this beautiful area in the late-1800s and protected this area until his death. Then the need for lumber was growing. The Redwoods in Big Hendy grove and Little Hendy grove were left alone. Then in 1958 Hendy Woods became a California State Park.
Are you listening? Are you paying attention? Good! Listen Up!
There are two words that will NOT have you going off trail. POISION OAK! You will be sticking to the trails or be itching all the way home. It is Mother Nature’s way of saying the humans have made trails for a reason and the rest is ALL MINE!
Plus no one or no thing likes to be stepped on! The forest floor is a living ecosystem and would like to be treated as a living entity. The wildlife and insects as well as the fauna and flora call it HOME! The mosquitos are friendly and mean no harm. However, if you decide that you need to smell good then good luck to you in these woods!
Respect the woods and the wildness here and it will embrace you with open arms to share its beauty! The light here puts on quite a show throughout the day. Pop a squat and just soak in the natural beauty of this place. It will draw you in and leave you wanting more!
(Photos by RSheridan)
June 14th, 2013 at 9:08 AM
Oh, the Redwoods!!
June 14th, 2013 at 9:13 AM
You can actually stay in a fallen Redwood, a hermit hut? You need to show us one of these. Lovely images, as always.
June 14th, 2013 at 9:15 AM
Audrey –
I did not actually see the hermit hut, so I have no idea what it looks like – darn it!
Happy Friday, Happy Weekend:) – Renee
June 14th, 2013 at 1:16 PM
Love the Redwoods!
Have a great weekend! 🙂
June 14th, 2013 at 1:54 PM
Thanks Deb!
Have a Great Weekend too:) – Renee
June 15th, 2013 at 7:12 AM
Love your photos! Those big trees are amazing. Loved how that Hendy hermit lived there.
June 15th, 2013 at 4:46 PM
Char –
Thanks – love learning about the history of a place!
Happy Saturday:) – Renee
June 16th, 2013 at 7:20 AM
I liked the s’mores too… 🙂
June 16th, 2013 at 7:25 AM
I WANT one so bad!!!
Take Care – Renee