One of the benefits of living in Central California is the proximity to Kings Canyon, Yosemite, and Sequoia National Parks. I have spent many happy days wandering throughout these parks. The General Sherman (274.9’) and the General Grant (268.1’) sequoias are estimated to be between 1,800 and 2,700 years old. When I visited with my girl scout troop, we stood around the trees and stretched our arms to see how many of us it took to circle each tree. I don’t remember the number. I just know it took a lot of us. The Giant Sequoia trees are national treasures and serve to remind us how small we are in the scheme of things.
(US Forest Service photo from Visalia Times Delta)
You may have read about the fierce Rough Fire that has been raging in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The air in the valley has been filled with smoke. Many people have had to evacuate and livestock was let loose when the fire came too close to get them trucked to safety.
Firefighters from all over the country (and even other countries) have come to fight these fires. Articles in the newspaper have described the devastation and the efforts of the firefighters to save the giant trees. So today, I would like to say “thank you” to these brave men and women who risk their lives to save these beautiful sequoias.
The above photo shows firefighter Luis Magana keeping watch over the General Grant Tree which is known as the United State’s national Christmas tree. Here is a link to the Fresno Bee article about the work of the firefighters. (photo taken by Fresno Bee photographer Craig Kohlruss).
I’d like to share a beautiful book about these majestic trees:
Sequoia by Tony Johnston (author) and Wendell Minor (illustrator) is a narrative nonfiction picture book which describes the world from the viewpoint of a giant sequoia tree. Each carefully chosen word evokes the wonder of this tree throughout the seasons of the year. We see the animals that graze nearby and those that live in its branches. It even describes the fires that occur naturally in these groves due to lightening strikes.
The author’s notes tells the history, location, and the threats these trees face.
So this week I celebrate the amazing giant Sequoias and those fighting to save them. I hope and pray they will continue to grow and thrive for generations to come.
(this photo with my dear friends was taken last winter)
This post is linked to Celebrate this Week which was created by Ruth Ayers to remind us that there is always something to celebrate. Visit her blog at Ruth Ayers Writes and see other things worth celebrating.
I too lived in California and have a lot of love for the beautiful and majestic trees. They are amazing. I am glad we have firefighters working to save people and property, but also the trees. I read the book over Christmas break last year when we were in CA visiting relatives. It’s fantastic.
Hi Crystal, I’m having fun finding books that match places. Sequoia is a special one.
And – we need to keep the firefighters in our thoughts and prayers.
I know this book, and love that you are celebrating the firefighters. We ebb and flow in Colorado (I live in Denver) with dry, fire danger weather & I’ve watched and mourned the great loss in the fires this year. I do hope the sequoias will be spared. FYI-I recently retired from a school that takes tons of field trips, day and overnight K-8 school. Love hearing that you are a field trip teacher, too.
Thank you for sharing all the beauty and strength of these ancient trees and the beauty and strength of those trying to save them.
You are right about the great advantage to live so close to three gorgeous National Parks. Although much mmore familiar with Yosemite I visited Kings Canyon and Sequoia and was in awe when I saw the giant sequoias. When we left the east coast for CA my osn was only four and his best friend said to him: “You are so lucky to go live near the giant sequoias!”
My son hadn’t seen them yet, but when he did, he felt very small and proud too.
These trees remind us of our connection to nature. We are all living creatures and I love it when people move mountains to save a tree.
Best to the firefighters and to the big trees.
Great book, too, by the way!
I know how much you enjoy hiking in the National Parks. We really need to encourage people to take their children and spend some time surrounded by nature. It’s good for the soul.
Claire, Thank you for sharing this important blog about one of our true national treasures. The books you mentioned invite readers in California and beyond to come to know the beauty, majesty, and longevity of the giant sequoias.
I love matching the perfect book with a particular place!
Thanks, Claire. It has been a long sad fire season. Saving tress might not seem as important as saving lives and homes, but we are so grateful to those who have saved these trees – they are a part of us, our lives, and our well-being. I thank God for His protection of them and the firefighters!
Isn’t it amazing to think about how long they have been growing? I hope and pray they continue to grow and inspire for generations to come.
Lovely tribute to these magnificent trees in God’s creation!
They are awe inspiring. They let people go back into the park yesterday.I’m hoping to get back up there soon.
oh what a beautiful tree! and book! how neat that you got to see the real thing up close. they look amazing!
Yes, they are amazing! Makes one feel very small.
Thank you for taking the time to celebrate so eloquently. I love the way your words made me linger a bit in nature. I’ll take your inspiration and look for things in nature to celebrate. Thank you for choosing to celebrate.
Ruth
Hi Ruth,
Thank you so much for creating this special space to celebrate. I find that I’ve been thinking differently since I began to post with you – seeing so many things to celebrate in the midst of the busyness of life and the terrible things shown on the news. Perhaps we’ll meet in person someday but for now I am thankful to be getting to know you through your posts. Have a wonderful day.
Thank you for sharing this. We took our kids to a local fire station over the weekend as our city’s fire dept. was hosting its annual fire station open house. I always find it fascinating to learn about the life of a firefighter. I’m grateful for the work they do .