A rush of suffocatingly hot air took us by
surprise as we opened the sunroof. A quick glance at the temperature gauge on
the dash of our rental car explained all. Outside in the Californian
countryside the mercury was hitting 110 degrees or approximately 45 degrees Celsius.
To say it was hot was an understatement. It was damn hot!
Flicking the sunroof switch soon strangled
the oppressive heat, and in its wake, nothing but cool, air-conditioned comfort
soon made our drive to the Sierra Nevada Mountains refreshingly pleasant.
About a 3 hour drive from Los Angeles the
route to the park is diverse and interesting. Seemingly endless straight highways give way to winding narrow
roads that hug rocky terrain on one side and thrashing rivers on the other.
As we drive deeper into this untouched
wilderness, leaving the concrete jungle and maze of freeways that dominate the
Los Angeles landscape, the feeling of isolation and relaxation is paramount.
Deep within the Sierra Nevada’s live giant
Redwood trees that are said to be among the oldest living species on the
planet. Visiting these giants was
the main reason for our journey into the mountains and as I stood with the 80-metre
giants whose life had spanned over 2000 years, I felt at peace. Their gentle
stillness quieted my senses and allowed me to rest my mind from the rigours of
life. The immensity of their being protective and comforting, there was no need
to speak in their presence.
