Visiting the Redwoods

 We just returned from a glorious road trip down to the Redwoods National and State Parks via the Pacific Coast Highway. I had never been to the Redwoods, so have wanted to take this trip for a long time. It did not disappoint.

We hiked several trails, hugged a few of the giant trees. We stared at the ocean’s grandeur and enjoyed aquarium and museum learning experiences. We ate a lot of good food. Obviously, we had a great time, full of images to remember. We attempted some photographs, but they never compare. How do you take a picture of a 300 foot tall, 2000 year old Redwood and convey the impact that experience has on you? I did come away with a few philosophical impressions I’d like to share.

I have written before about the diversity of the world’s flora and fauna. I know I come from a place of bias, but I can’t imagine what purpose it serves evolution to have over 35,000 species of fish, 3-4,000 in Pacific Ocean, over 1,000 different sea anemone, 64,000 documented types of trees, and almost 50 different species of fir trees alone. What is the purpose of all this diversity? Wouldn’t just one type serve? And even accounting for adaptations to a variety of habitat, the numbers seem excessive.

And why all the color? Why color at all?  There are scientific reasons, and those alone are amazing. Certainly plant and animal species have evolved to survive in their varied environments. But if we all came from just one cell…that doesn’t explain all the diversity that exits. Whereas, if you believe in a Creator, a Grand Designer, you can view all of nature as more than a science experiment. The beauty of it alone is stunning, breath taking and gives pleasure to the viewer when we get a chance to see what’s there.  Our Creator must love color beauty and variety. He gave us the ability to appreciate and even, to a much lesser extent, duplicate in creating our own art.

The Apostle Paul makes an astounding statement about creation and humans viewing their world. “What may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Romans 1:19-20 We are meant to see God in creation. Creation can lead us to God if we are open to it.  To stand at the ocean, to look through a tide pool, to stand beneath a giant redwood tree – is to get a glimpse of God.

For the Lord is a great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry ground. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Ps 95:3-7

Another epiphany came from learning about the giant redwoods. They stand straight, towering over us by up to 300 feet. They form these beautiful groupings, older with younger trees. Trees that might have fallen are propped up by larger, stronger trees, and eventually merge together. They can withstand Pacific Coast storms and fires because of how they are made. Their bark can keep the tree safe from multiple fires. They can hold water when supply is low. They stand tall and together because, though their roots are shallow, they intertwine with each other to give each other strength. They “hold hands” as it were, and are stronger together.

In several groves I noted the people who had put together explanations about the trees used the word “cathedral” to describe a grouping of trees.  Interesting choice of words. And indeed, in the presence of these trees I felt like I was in a holy place.  You would think seeing one big tree would have a “seen them all” sort of reaction. I couldn’t see enough. Every corner you turn there are more, and they are beautiful. Again, I am biased. I have long been a tree lover. I don’t even like to see necessary pruning done to a tree. I love the magical Ents from Lord of the Rings, and the “trees” in Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s series that come from inside a sentient species, and are sentient themselves. I’ve read about trees communicating with each other, perhaps through their connected roots. And trees clean our air and help us exist. In a sense we are part of their root community.

Think about the connectedness, the better together-ness of trees. We can apply that to ourselves. We are better together. We really could use that lesson today when all of us are being pulled apart by, of all things, politics. We have loosened our grip on each other. The redwoods, though giant and tall, do not stand alone. Among their giant shadows exist all manner of other trees and plants, an entire ecosystem dependent upon one another. This is something we humans are losing. Experiencing isolation, like we had during Covid, hurt us. We are not meant to live alone. God created us for community, even those of us introverts.

And what about diversity. In the sea, in the forest, you see so much diversity at play. All of it together forming a symbiotic community where each plays a role. Certainly, the circle of life can be pretty brutal, but it can also be empowering. Everyone having a part to play. We could also learn from this. There is not just one color or type of sea anemones or sea star. There are multiple, vibrant colors and sizes. But all of them are anemones or stars. I doubt they try to segregate themselves, or are secretly glad to be white rather than rose colored.

Needless to say, I had a lot of time to think as I stood in a redwood cathedral or looking over a cliff at the ocean crashing on the rocks below. When I put it all together, my bottom line experience was one of worship.

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things and by your will they were created and have their being.” Revelations 4:11