Unlike my favorite TV character "Monk", I love nature. Jim and I often travel to places that are near a national park. One of the most majestical creations to gaze upon is one of the species of trees known as "redwoods". Walking through a redwood forest is like entering an ancient cathedral. The beauty of the sun as it peeks through the trees reminds me of stained glass windows. The soft earth beneath my feet has the feel of a newy carpeted church and the wonderful aroma (a lot like incence) transports me to a time long ago. California's North coast redwoods grow to be about 30 stories high with a width of about 22 feet at the base. The climate provides the only such environment in the world, limiting the redwoods' to a few hundred coastal miles. The cool, moist air created by the Pacific Ocean keeps the trees continually damp, even during summer droughts. The largest living organisms in the world, redwoods go back 20 million years in their present range! I encourage everyone I know to plan a trip to see the wonder of the redwoods.