With thanks to Nathanial Hawthorne - "This is the forest primeval. The murmuring pines and the hemlocks,Bearded with moss, and in garments green, indistinct in the twilight,Stand like Druids of eld, with voices sad and prophetic,Stand like harpers hoar, with beards that rest on their bosoms.Loud from its rocky caverns, the deep-voiced neighboring oceanSpeaks, and in accents disconsolate answers the wail of the forest."
It's early morning, cold and damp, as we walk carefully toward the distant roar of the Pacific. The forest of hemlocks is mighty and tall indeed. Strangely though, the closer we come to the beach, the trees shrink in size.
The coast is guarded by a phalanx of beached logs. 
We head down the beach as another couple leads the way.
It's early morning, cold and damp, as we walk carefully toward the distant roar of the Pacific. The forest of hemlocks is mighty and tall indeed. Strangely though, the closer we come to the beach, the trees shrink in size.The coast is guarded by a phalanx of beached logs. We head down the beach as another couple leads the way.
Early morning, when the tide is out, is the time to find those washed up "treasures." We wander about a bit.
But today it is not meant to be. Mrs. T begins to signal its time to head back to the car.
In the morning light, the density of this temperate rainforest is more obvious than ever.
As my "Evangeline" and I approach the trailhead and our car, I notice for the first time, signs proclaiming the forest to be inhabited by wolves, mountain lions and bears.
This is the forest primeval indeed!
A driftwood lovers fantasy come true;)
ReplyDeleteWonderful Hawthorne quote.
Marnie
What a beautiful post. Does the early morning fog signal a beautiful sunny day? I learned several years ago, while in lower Appalachian mtns of Kentucky for a week, that this is the case. If the early morning there is sunny, the day will be overcast and rainy. Interesting?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. Love the sun through the trees.
ReplyDeleteI was carried along the walk by your words...lovely.
ReplyDeleteJust awesome. I love that part of the world!
ReplyDeleteWOW! What a scene there. Wolves and cougars? Gulp. Glad you all only encountered the fog and logs.
ReplyDeleteKia ora TB,
ReplyDeleteThe rivers, the sea, and the misty foggy temperate rain forest, all very much like we have here in New Zealand. I love the ancient feel of such places.
Cheers,
Robb
A very surreal series of wonderful photos...and a place that one would feel alone and hear the sounds of nature.. just glad you didn't encounter any of those creatures listed on that notice!
ReplyDeleteYour fog pics are amazing, and I love the stump rotting back to the earth with ferns.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous spot! Glad there was no wildlife drama, especially with a cougar. They are very dangerous, seems like bad encounters are on the rise.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful thoughts, prose, photos and memories.
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures, Ray, mean many wonderful memories over all these years! Barb looks so happy, too.
ReplyDeleteJust adore those foggy photos. What a wonderful forest "bath" you took that day. :-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, foggy photos. I am not much on wildlife that is bigger than me!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful post, Ray. Thank you for taking us on this lovely, peaceful walk.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photographs, Ray, eerie yet peaceful.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you two had a wonderful day with the edges of the world softened by fog. What a treasure of drift wood. Best to know about wolves and cougars afterwards.
ReplyDeleteA good memory well presented and shared.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful place, and you have beautiful memories there. I love the quote from The Scarlet Letter.
ReplyDelete