Can trees be interesting enough to spend a whole priceless day on them in the USA? "Depends on which ones, but generally - no," you might say. That's what we said too, as we rolled up to Sequoia National Park. Turns out they can, if you do everything according to an ancient Indian-Spanish-Russian recipe.) The recipe was traded to us by a mage (who was also a security guard) who protected the local holy spirits from the corrupting influence of civilization.) Take: - high mountains - about 20-25 - a winding road with the best views, climbing high-high and leading far-far away - 1 piece, with bonus spurs - forest trails - about 8-10 - the clearest and warmest mountain rivers with waterfalls - about 3 (the waterfalls are way more) - the biggest trees in the world - lots of them, all labeled - the biggest tree in the world - 1 piece, also the most labeled one) - California weather - 1 piece Mix thoroughly in an area no bigger than an hour's drive, season with sun, sea breeze, the scent and sound of the most coniferous forest in the world, garnish with Indian myths, huge pinecones, and places where the gold rush virus grew and multiplied, and serve in the beautiful packaging of Sequoia National Park. The first thing we saw when we drove in was an awesome little river to the right of the road. It was called Death River, but in reality, it was more alive than anything.) We pulled over to the shoulder and got out. The river flowed below in a small valley, so we had to climb down about 5-7 meters. And now, picture this - you are on the biggest rock among many scattered around, right below you is a spot where sparkling water gathers before falling from a low waterfall. The little pool is quite deep, but so clear that it takes your breath away! And it's very hot. Question: what would you do? JUMP, OF COURSE!!!! And we, stripping off our clothes, flew into that pool, splashing into the water and whooping in the spray. AAA, it's so cool here!!!!!!! When you swim up to the waterfall, the water starts to suck you in and slowly drags you along, you pull yourself to the very edge - and there it is, churning downwards. You can lie on a rock and have the waterfall water flowing under you. That was definitely the first time in my life!!! A bunch of sun blinding your eyes, the river flowing down from the mountain, everything shimmering, mmmm))) We definitely liked this park=) After sunbathing right by the waterfall on a rock for about 15 minutes, we headed further (stupid lack of time, spending an hour there - you wouldn't even notice). We drove and drove, and then suddenly, bam, we realized a cruel joke had been played on us. Seen the movie "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids"? Same story. We drove into a thicket where the trees were 4 times bigger than the ones before. The smell of pine needles was 4 times stronger. And we were just as we were.) And you would feel uncomfortable here if it wasn't so interesting what was next. And next - more. Trees, I mean)) It's cool here that you can "walk" along a sequoia - the length equal to the tree's height is laid out on the ground. And you walk and walk, walk and walk, wondering when it will end, and it turns out you've only reached the lowest branch))) Same thing in Rome, by the way. St. Peter's Basilica is built in such a way that you never see how huge it is. The letters inside near the ceiling seem the size of a hand, but in reality, they are taller than a human. Michelangelo (its architect) said that the cathedral is a model of the Universe - "You are in it, but you will never understand how huge it is." It's the same story with the sequoias)) And likewise, you hardly realize how old they are. Because it's hard to understand that you are seeing someone who was growing peacefully when there was no Pushkin in Russia, no Napoleon in France, no William the Conqueror in England, and no Charlemagne in Germany, and not only no Muscovy, outskirts of Paris, Londinium, and Cologne, but no Russia, France, Germany, or Eng
+2
