Back in 2007 I had planned a trip up to San Francisco and to the Muir Woods National Monument.
Since there was hiking involved my dear little 5 year old Cosette decided that she didn't want to come...Hiking and Cosette not wanting to come. Go figure!
Since we've been visiting SF at least once a year from the time that Cosette was 5 months old, it wasn't such a big deal to miss and it just didn't sound like the "type" of trip that she was eager to go on - FYI she's not much of a hiker!
So off we went on Dominic's first solo trip with his mommy (without having to share me with his little sister).
Much fun was had in San Francisco, as usual. But then it was time to venture out into the wilderness and head on over to Muir Woods National Monument -
Just 12 miles north of San Francisco and part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The National Monument protects 554 acres, of which 240 acres are old growth Coast Redwood forests.
A Tree Lover's Monument
When John Muir learned that William and Elizabeth Kent were naming a redwood forest near San Francisco in his honor, he declared, "This is the best tree-lovers monument that could possibly be found in all the forests of the world." The couple had purchased the land to preserve its beauty and restful wilderness; and in 1908, they donated it to the federal government to protect it from destruction. (nps.com)
While this wouldn't be our first visit to this beautiful sanctuary of tall trees that is just barely beyond the Golden Gate bridge, it would be the first that we would do an actual "hike" vs just a nature walk.
With packed lunch and snacks, my hiking boots were laced up and we were ready to go!
While I can't say I remember exactly how far we hiked, the memory that sticks out the most was when we stopped to climb on a fallen tree.
Both Dominic and I have been born with the itch to climb and when we saw this tree it was calling out our names...
While I can't say I remember exactly how far we hiked, the memory that sticks out the most was when we stopped to climb on a fallen tree.
Both Dominic and I have been born with the itch to climb and when we saw this tree it was calling out our names...
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After playing around for a bit on the tree and taking some silly pictures, I had heard something up the hill in the woods.
A rustling of sorts. And then I saw a glimpse of an animal charging down the slope at full speed. It's body was thrashing through the brush and the trees as it was coming straight towards us!
I gotta stop here and tell you that although I'm a huge animal lover, I'm also a big fraidy cat!
I was glad that Dominic was still standing on top of the tree, as I was planted on the ground below, and then I completely flipped out.
I don't even know what I was saying, but I know that had a mouthful of craziness spewing out of me.
Then instead of staying up on the tree (the safer spot) Dominic tumbled from it and then rolled down on to the muddy ground off trail!
Everything happened in a matter of seconds and next thing I know, the animal had reached the trail (causing him to slow his speed down ever so slightly), that I could now tell what I was looking at....
It was a Deer! Okay, go ahead and laugh. Do you know how ridiculous I felt?!
I was laughing hysterically at the situation while at the same time, I was super relieved that it wasn't some predator and that we were out of harms way.
A rustling of sorts. And then I saw a glimpse of an animal charging down the slope at full speed. It's body was thrashing through the brush and the trees as it was coming straight towards us!
I gotta stop here and tell you that although I'm a huge animal lover, I'm also a big fraidy cat!
I was glad that Dominic was still standing on top of the tree, as I was planted on the ground below, and then I completely flipped out.
I don't even know what I was saying, but I know that had a mouthful of craziness spewing out of me.
Then instead of staying up on the tree (the safer spot) Dominic tumbled from it and then rolled down on to the muddy ground off trail!
Everything happened in a matter of seconds and next thing I know, the animal had reached the trail (causing him to slow his speed down ever so slightly), that I could now tell what I was looking at....
It was a Deer! Okay, go ahead and laugh. Do you know how ridiculous I felt?!
I was laughing hysterically at the situation while at the same time, I was super relieved that it wasn't some predator and that we were out of harms way.
My heart was still beating like crazy from the extreme adrenaline rush, and now I was standing there wondering "why oh why did my 8 year old son choose to jump several feet down from the tree on to the ground and then roll off of the trail and into the mud???"
At least we were all safe, not hurt, and just a bit dirty. Still not sure why or what that "ferious" Deer had been running from...
But, once we had all finally stopped replaying the story and getting a good laugh out of it.
I had mentioned to Dominic that the next time we are in a situation that is even close to being similar, if he is up in a tree to please just stay up in the tree!
-T
At least we were all safe, not hurt, and just a bit dirty. Still not sure why or what that "ferious" Deer had been running from...
But, once we had all finally stopped replaying the story and getting a good laugh out of it.
I had mentioned to Dominic that the next time we are in a situation that is even close to being similar, if he is up in a tree to please just stay up in the tree!
-T
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