Hiking in the red woods.
Now that it is spring break, there is technically nothing I can’t do. Because of this I decided that I wanted to expand my hiking resume, and go hiking up the coast. The first hike that I completed was the Henry Cowell hike through California’s national redwoods. Growing up, hiking was something I chaired extremely and now that Im growing older it something I have not been able to achieve that often. When I was told that I was going to be able to go hiking through the red woods, I was amazed and couldn’t wait.
Now that I’m hiking through the red woods, I can’t believe my eyes. From the second I stepped into the woods, I feel like I can already breath ten times better then I did when I was in san diego. The trees are massive, towering hundreds of feet high, making the large oaks that I grew up around look like seedlings. The trees, seemed to open up a side of me I’ve never experienced before, it seemed that every second I was in the woods, was a second of understand my self a little bit more. After just looking around and hiking beside these massive trees, I decided that I wanted to get a little bit closer. This is when I decided that I wanted to take the little bit of background knowledge I had of rock climbing and attempt to put to work. I decided that I wanted to try to climb a red wood. When I begun I was at the base of the tree, beginning to think of the journey ahead of me. This is when I lifted my head and realized the significance of the tree I was getting ready to climb. I realized that for every foot I climbed up the tree, I climbed ten years into the past. When I was climbing the tree, I realized that I was climbing time itself. After a moment of thinking I begun to actually climb, every hand after hand and every foot after foot sent me a little further into the past, before I knew it I was holding on for my dear life on the slightly spiraling bark of the massive tree. I was fifteen to twenty feet, uo when I decided that It would be the appropriate decision to head down. Now reflecting on the climb, it was extremely short, but extremely versatile. I learned how to adapt to the rough bark and embrace the tree. Because of this hike I believe that I achieved the next step into finding something I will have an on going passion for.
Living in the concrete jungle that I live in “San diego” is a disgrace compared to rich air of the redwoods.
Red Woods.
Definition
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A coniferous tree, Sequoia sempervirens, ofCalifornia, noted for its great height, sometimesreaching to more than 350 feet (107 meters): thestate tree of California.
Redwood research
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Known as both the giant redwood and the coastal redwood, sequoia sempervirens differs from its relative the giant sequoia, sequoiadendron giganteum, primarily in the environment it requires. As its nickname suggests, giant or coastal redwoods thrive in the moist, humid climate of the Northern California coast, where marine fog delivers precise conditions necessary for its growth. The fog adds moisture to the soil and helps trap it there by lowering the rate of evaporation.
Giant redwoods typically outreach their giant cousins in height, standing up to 378 feet tall.
Potato chip rock.
Before hand, reflection.
For this section of earth science, we are going to be going on a hike to Potato chip rock. Potato chip rock is located at the top of Mt. Woodson in Poway California. The objective of this hike, is to learn about several plants and animals and to interact with nature. We were given the opportunity to decide, where we wanted to hike, and we decided to go to potato chip rock. The reason why decided to go to potato chip rock, was because of the vast variety of plants and animals swell as the incredible potato chip like structure at the top of the summit.
Potato chip rock plant/animal info.
Oak.
A member of the Beech Family (Fagaceae), bur oak is a medium-sized to large tree, typically grows from 70 to 80 feet in height but can grow to 100 feet or more on better sites, with a massive trunk 2 to 3 feet in diameter and a broad, rounded crown of stout branches (Dirr 1998; Fowles 1965). The national Registry of Big Trees reports a specimen in Kentucky that is 99 feet tall and has a circumference of 295 inches and a crown spread of 127.5 inches (American Forests 2012). Shrubbier forms are found on bluffs and hillsides in the northwest part of the tree’s range (Nixon 1993); branches and branchlets with corky-winged projections.
The leaves are variable on the plant, alternate, deciduous, 2 to 6 inches wide and 4 to 10 inches long; shape is ovate to oblong; mostly obovate, shaped like a fiddle, tapering to a wedge-shaped base, widest above the middle, with 2– 3 rounded lobes on upper half of leaf and 5–7 deeper lobes on lower half of leaf, dark green above, gray-green below, turning yellow or brown in fall (Barkley 1986; Harlow et al. 1979; Stephens 1969).
Eucalyptus.
Eucalyptus, large genus of mostly very large trees, of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), native to Australia, Tasmania, and nearby islands. More than 500 species have been described. In Australia the eucalypti are commonly known as gum trees or stringybark trees. Many species are cultivated widely throughout the temperate regions of the world as shade trees or in forestry plantations. Economically, eucalyptus trees constitute the most valuable group within the order Myrtales.
The leaves are leathery and hang obliquely or vertically. The flower petals cohere to form a cap when the flower expands. The fruit is surrounded by a woody, cup-shaped receptacle and contains numerous minute seeds. Possibly the largest fruits—from 5 to 6 centimetres (2 to 2.5 inches) in diameter—are borne by E. macrocarpa, also known as the mottlecah, or silverleaf, eucalyptus.
The eucalypti grow rapidly, and many species attain great height. E. regnans, the giant gum tree or mountain ash of Victoria and Tasmania, attains a height of about 90 metres (300 feet) and a circumference of 7.5 m.
The leaf glands of many species, especially E. salicifolia and E. globulus, contain a volatile, aromatic oil known as eucalyptus oil. Its chief use is medical, and it constitutes an active ingredient in expectorants and inhalants. E. globulus, E. siderophloia, and other species yield what is known as Botany Bay kino, an astringent dark-reddish resin, obtained in a semifluid state from incisions made in the tree trunk.
Eucalyptus wood is extensively used in Australia as fuel, and the timber is commonly used in buildings and fencing. Among the many species of timber-yielding eucalypti are E. salicifolia, E. botryoides, E. diversicolor (commonly called karri), E. globulus, E. leucoxylon (commonly called ironbark), E. marginata(commonly called jarrah), E. obliqua, E. resinifera, E. siderophloia, and others. The bark of many species is used in papermaking and tanning.
Red tailed hawk.
This is probably the most common hawk in North America. If you’ve got sharp eyes you’ll see several individuals on almost any long car ride, anywhere. Red-tailed Hawks soar above open fields, slowly turning circles on their broad, rounded wings. Other times you’ll see them atop telephone poles, eyes fixed on the ground to catch the movements of a vole or a rabbit, or simply waiting out cold weather before climbing a thermal updraft into the sky.
Afterwards reflection.
Today we completed our hike for earth science. We decided that we wanted to hike to the top of Mt Woodson, and incredibly enough we were able to do it. We left school around nine o’clock, and it took us around thirty to forty minutes, to get to the base of the mountain. When we arrived at the base, we gather all of our materials and begun the hike. Although we begun the hike, we still did not technically begin the rout up the summit. Once we arrived to the route up the summit, we begun to go. The path that we were “hiking” on was an asphalt road. Which unfortunately eliminated the true factor of going hiking. Which is hiking on a path that is different than others. Once we realized that we didn’t want to walk on an asphalt path the whole time, and wanted to actually hike, we begun to go off the beaten path. We begun to leave the asphalt path, when we stumbled upon a massive rock like structure. Once we saw this structor we immediately knew that we had to climb it, and this is where the adventure begun.
It took approximately, five minutes to climb the rock, once we got the top, we fell in love with our surroundings, and this is when we knew that we could not return to the nature diminishing asphalt, that we were supposedly required to follow. Once we took a look at our surrounding and knew that we were ready for an adventure we begun to follow the beaten path. We begun to head down the rock, and were almost to the bottom when we realized that we were stuck. Unless we wanted to jam our selfs into the fetal position and climb through a path of strong steel like structured manzanita trees. The bear grills like boys we are, we decided to shove our selves into the fetal position and climb through this jungle of manzanita trees. Unfortunately it was not the most secure, and comfortable thing I’ve ever done, but it was definitely a step into the beaten path that we wanted to take. Once we got past the jungle of manzanita trees, we were finally on a clear dirt path. We hiked for around a half mile before we ran into our next obstacle. The next obstacle, was a maze of old oak trees and pure granite rocks. We knew that we had to find a way out so we decided to just go for it, but we didn’t decide to just go for it, no we ran full speed, gliding through oak trees that were ten fold our age, while skidding through two hundred ton species of pure granite, scraping our newly developing skin leaving small scars that were going to hold memories for life. After a ten minute stride, of running through nature itself, we finally got to vantage point on our beaten path.
The vantage point that we reached was beyond memorizable. The vantage point left an imprint of achievement as well as an imprint of how beautiful san diego really is. The reason why this was so memorizable for me was because I grew up apart of a concrete jungle, here in san diego, as well, as apart of the luscious green forests in Oregon. When ever I was in Oregon, I felt like I was at home, and for some reason when I was here in san diego I felt like I didn’t belong. Oregon consists of lots of nature, which is something I’ve always been able to connect with, and san diego for the most part only consists of, …… well concrete and ocean. After seeing this vantage point my thought of san diego completely changed. The vantage point I was looking out from had the warm shade of a hundred year old oak, as well as a perfectly shaped out chair like structor in the million year old granite, with the breath taking view of near by trees and the soft texture filled colors, of the rippling mountains. This vantage point is something that eliminated several years of dislikement in san diego.
Once we finished cherishing the extraordinary view, we begun to follow the beatin path even further, the following path consisted of forty foot high rock structures and canyon like crevasses that we climbed through as well an assortment of several different plants an animals. This section of the hike, was probably the largest cardio work out yet. Although this section of our hike was the most tiring, it was also the most, frustrating. When we were gliding through the crevasses in the rocks, there were several times, when we were stuck, or hit a dead end. Although this part of the hike was quite frustrating, I feel like I learned and bonded with nature a little more.
After we climbed through the canyon like crevasses we decided to take a brake in the soft, oxygen filled air, under the protection of the massive granite built stones. We took a brake in an area that drained our soreness, and replenished our strength. Once we finished taking a brake we continued our hike, off the beaten path. The rest of the hike, was the easiest yet, we were almost to the top, and the expected thin air was as filled as it could be. Although the last piece of the summit was the easiest, it was also the beginning of a scrutinizing pain that would haunt us on our way down. Around thirty minutes later we finally reached the main reason why we went for this hike. Potato chip rock.
Once we reached Potato chip rock we immediately couldn’t wait to snap, several photos of us posing on the potato chip like structure. Around thirty minutes went by, and we were all able to get several shots of us on the rock. This is when we begun our decent down the summit. The descent down the summit was the worst part. Unfortunately we were not able to follow the beaten path down the summit and we were required to follow the earth diminishing asphalt that laid a path down the mountain. Around five minutes into our descent our shins begun to gain a scrutinizing pain. Not only were our shins hurting but our whole lower torso, was hurting as well. It felt like every step I took, I was getting closer to the bottom of the summit while I was getting further away. It felt like for every two steps I took forward, I took one step back. Because of this, the path to the bottom of the summit felt like it consumed most of my time. After an hour of scrutinizing pain we finally reached the bottom.
In conclusion the hike that we completed today, was an amazing experience. I learned a lot about nature, earth and science, but most of all I finally begun to learn something about my self. I learned that san diego really is beautiful. The reason why this was so memorizable for me was because I grew up apart of a concrete jungle, here in san diego, as well, as apart of the luscious green forests in Oregon. When ever I was in Oregon, I felt like I was at home, and for some reason when I was here in san diego I felt like I didn’t belong. Oregon consists of lots of nature, which is something I’ve always been able to connect with, and san diego for the most part only consists of, …… well concrete and ocean. After seeing being apart of this hike my thoughts of san diego completely changed.
Rock shaping, and polishing.
For this up coming week my agenda is beginning to grow quite full. I plan on starting to use the lapidary machine with jiapsi, and learn how to carve, polish and finish a raw stone. This process can take up to a week to complete but I plan on completeing it in a few days. When I was informed that our class was going to be able to create a gem from a raw stone with the new equipment our teachers purchased I was inspired, not inspired because I was going to be able to sit around and carve stones all day, but because I was going to learn something new and develop a new skill set. Once the process begun I was hesitant about starting the process. It was my first time using a lapidary, and my first time putting the work on a raw stone. After around thirty minutes of getting familiar with the equipment, I was able to catch on and begin to carve, polish and finish a few of my raw stones. After a day of shaving down a few stones I was able to start helping out other student who were once at my position. In all honesty as much as I enjoyed craving, polishing, and finishing the stones, I had a better time teaching other students, and helping them develop a new skill set. Overall I was able to carve, polish and finish around five different stones. The rage between the stones, were anywhere from obsidian to sleek yellow jasper, to raw pink crystal. The process was not only a process I enjoyed but learned a lot from as well. Here are a few photos from the process.
Coronado islands.
Growing up in San Diego many adventures come from the mist. Theres always another path, another journey around the corner. Although this is true, it seems that almost every journey is involved with large groups of people, and civilization. After years of living in san diego there is only one journey, one path that sets apart from the rest. Being out on the water. When I say being out on the water I mean, being out on the water. Over the years I have had a tough time finding myself and something I enjoy, and it seemed that everything I tried I gave full commitment to, but I couldn't necessarily find joy doing it. Until I begun to fish, swim surf etc. The second I fully submerged my self in water I knew I had found something I really enjoyed, I knew that i had not only found a passion but something I have to work for and enjoy at the same time. Although being in the water brought me joy, there was still this sense of civilization around me. Being around people did not bother me, it just seemed that the longer and longer I was around people the longer and longer I wanted to be away from the. With this in mind I knew that I could never just fully shut my self off from civilization. So I begun to dream up ideas, of what I could do to resolve this issue. This is when my friend invited me out to the coronado islands with him. It was going to be the furthest I've been out on the water in a private boat, and by far the furthest I've been away from civilization. The day came and I was in shock. The coronado islands were something out of a dream, something unrealistic. The second I saw the birds swarming high above the towering mountains, I knew I found a place of peace that would comfort my radicle decisions to take a break from civilization. The second we arrived at the islands, I was not only in shock, but in work mode as well. I couldn't let the opportunities of growth pass me by. So I took a look in the water, and realized that there were hundred of red crabs floating with the current. At the moment I had not remember every acknowledging these magificant creatures. After visualizing the crab I reached in and grabbed one. After holding it and learning it path of motivation I let it go. The second I got home, I researched the crab and learned a lot about them.
Red crabs
Pleuroncodes planipes, sometimes called the pelagic red crab, tuna crab or langostilla, is a species of squat lobster from the eastern Pacific Ocean.
It happens to be that every six to ten years, warm southern currents distribute these animals as far north as the California coast. Many are stranded on the shore by wind and currents, not by choice as some have surmised. In Baja California, their bodies have been known to form windrows up to three feet deep. They are a significant source of food for blue whales, yellow tail, and tuna.
Red crabs significance to yellowtail and tuna.
As the most abundant species of micronekton in the California Current, Pleuroncodes planipes fills an important ecological niche converting primary production into energy that larger organisms can use. P. planipes is accordingly an important food item for many species of birds, marine mammals and fish. It is favoured by tuna, leading to one of the species' common names – "tuna crab".Other fish known to feed on P. planipes include billfishes, yellowtail amberjack, sharksand Epinephelus analogus. The diets of gray whales,Bryde's whales, blue whales and sea otters all include P. planipes. The Mexican endemic bat Myotis vivesi also feeds on P. planipes at some times of the year. Off Baja California, the stomachs of some loggerhead sea turtles have been observed to contain only P. planipes. Since P. planipes may be washed ashore in large numbers, it can be a valuable addition to the diets of seabirds such as the herring gull (Larus argentuatus), whose food supply is usually diminished in El Niño years. -wiki source
Yellowtail
The yellowtail's range is circumglobal, in subtropical waters. It can be found near Catalina Island, San Clemente Island, and Santa Monica Bay, as well as in Mexican waters such as Baja California Peninsula and Sea of Cortes, congregating at certain areas in mass numbers like Cedros Island and Benitos Island. During the summer they can also be found in association with floating kelp paddies off the coast of southern California and Baja California. Yellowtail populations have also been found in waters off South Africa, the Walter Shoals, Amsterdam Island, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Hawaii, Rapa, Pitcairn Island, Jeju Island, and Easter Island. In the Eastern Pacific, they can be found in waters off British Columbia, as well as from Canada to Chile. They are usually found around offshore islands, rocky reefs, and kelp beds. They are also found in increasing numbers off the Islands of the Tristan Da Cunha archipelago in the South Atlantic. They are frequently caught on the 3 northern Islands of Tristan Da Cunha, Nightingale and Inaccessible and were recently reported by Factory Manager Erik Mac Kenzie at Gough Island at 40 deg South which is 200 miles south of the other Islands. Fish in the size range 25 to 40 kg are not uncommon and are caught both from boats and the shore. -Wiki source