Rest Amongst the Redwoods

The sun is beginning to set here at Redwood National Park, amongst the world's tallest living trees. In this ancient forest, the trees have grown for many years and will continue to thrive for many more. Their presence feels comforting and serene. It's almost as if they're your guardians through the night. There's something remarkable about the intricate systems working together so harmoniously, making natural wonders like these gentle giants possible. As the night sky grows darker, the tops of the redwood trees disappear into the blackness above. And the troubles of the world seem to fade away as you immerse yourself in the coverage and quietness of their thick canopy. So as we settle in for tonight's journey, let's begin our evening with a short wind down exercise. Tonight's exercise is a really simple breathing exercise. So when you're ready, let's begin. First, get yourself comfortable. And now, bringing the attention to the breath. Noticing where you feel it. In the nose, the throat, the chest, the diaphragm. You're nice and relaxed. We're going to be taking a deep breath in for four, holding it for four, and then breathing out for six. Are you ready? Let's begin. Breathing in for four, two, three, four, hold it for four, two, three, four, now breathing out for six, two, three, four, five, six. In for four, two, three, four, holding for four, two, three, four, out for six, two, three, four, five, six. In for four, two, three, four, holding for four, two, three, four, out for six, two, three, four, five, six. In for four, two, three, four, holding for four, two, three, four, out for six, two, three, four, five, six. That's great. Now returning the breath to normal. The rain has been generous in California this year, which makes the water at Trillium Falls full and bountiful as it makes its way down mossy rocks and fallen tree trunks. The last of the sun's rays illuminates the brown reddish bark of the redwoods and their long shallow roots, which move down and outwards to braid with the other trees in the grove. The water from Trillium Falls, cold and refreshing to the touch flows under a small bridge and into the grove nourishing the lush green ferns and the rich brown soil that allows for the trees to continue their long lives. Inside their magnificent trunks, beyond the rings that tell their age is the heartwood, though it does not beat, it acts as a spine to keep the tree steady and helps deliver the minerals of the water from root to crown. It's extraordinary how much water the redwoods move, the largest among them transport hundreds of gallons of water daily. There is something humbling about being here in the understory knowing that these trees have lived here long before us and will continue to thrive for thousands of years. And as the Crescent Moon rises earlier than usual this evening, the Redwoods, some 350 feet...