Muir Woods

This past weekend was our last with Flat Stanley. I've been working on a hardback photo book of all Stanley's adventures {since Shutterfly so kindly offered me a free one.} But I still needed a few more pictures to finish off the book before finally sending it back to Indiana. W has been aching to go hiking for awhile now and we've both been talking about Muir Woods since we moved up here. 

So, we were up by 7:30; out the door with a good breakfast in our tummies, lunches packed, and on our way to coffee by 9am. Very rare for us on a Saturday morning! But it was so worth it. Little traffic and the mist only turned to a light rain when we were leaving the park...but it was so refreshing! 

I wanted to share some of my favorite things from the day. The first: At the start of our hike, we saw some saplings. I loved it. This will eventually become a Giant Sequoia. Something so small will become something so grand and enormous. Unbelievable potential. 

Reminds me that my thinking and perspective are so limited compared to God's.  And that eternal perspective is what encourages me when I can only see the sapling in a situation, but God knows all about that Giant Sequoia in the future. Just thought it was a sweet analogy...

Stanley learned about tree rings. 

 The second: this tree had beautiful fern plants growing up the trunk and every branch. It was gorgeous to see in person with the sunlight making the ferns look glowing green.

Giant redwoods

We took the Fern Creek trail and the longest loop on the boardwalks. So we hiked about 3.6 miles total. Did I mention the ferns were beautiful?! All the greenery and giant trees were breath-taking.

The third: the creek that we hiked along. Perfect white noise. It was so peaceful.

 Lastly: the cool bridges we had to cross while on our adventure... 

And the few obstacles we faced along the way.

So wonderful to be outdoors! Even if I am still so out of shape!