Northspur, CA

April 10 & 11 – Northspur, CA
You have really missed it if you haven’t seen the Skunk Train leave Northspur – “All Aboard!” Around the depot area are picnic tables and little open-air stands that sell food, souvenirs, and drinks. Bill, Emily, Les and I didn’t get on the Skunk Train. Instead we waved to the multinational passengers, and we began our walk along the tracks beside the Noyo River. I almost stepped on a water dog or newt. Its dark back hid a bright orange belly. We also saw a deer, duck, and a small grey mole with a pink snout. Our picnic destination was the “Jesus Tree.” There is a strange explanation involving hippies for its naming, but whatever, it is majestic, and I could not begin to get my arms around it or see the top! Bill and Emily showed us how the next generation of redwoods grow up in a circle around the prior generation, and we could see how huge some of the great-grandfather trees were!
Bill and Emily are staying at the family cabin on the darker side of the hill. It is really historic and wears its age well. We are very cozy and comfortable with the wood fire going and warm company. The trees loom over and around, dripping mist in the morning.
We drove around to the other side of the hill to see Bill & Emily’s own building projects in progress. In their building of the cabin and house with large garage, they are utilizing lumber that they have harvested off their own land. They employ solar power. It was sunny on that side of the hill. Some meadows and their orchard let in the light. The orchard has all kinds of fruit trees coming into blossom. On the hills, they have planted coastal sequoias that they are raising in a nursery at the family cabin. There are big redwoods on their side, too, as well as lovely old oaks and madrone trees.
The guys have made a campfire now beside an outside tented table by the family cabin. Emily is cooking caribou ribs, and it smells delicious. We sit up late around the fire. The time together has been special, but tomorrow we will head north.