Serendipity Strikes Again
Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Arnold CA.
Serendipity strikes again in the cutest ever town of Arnold, a quick pass through on my way north. Chosen randomly for the trees, the wifi, and the hot tub, the vacation home in Arnold left me wanting more, and offered a big surprise.
There are no sidewalks on the narrow roads that wind through this woodsy world of second homes, and even 20mph feels excessive. The cabins of all shapes and makes, from classic log to jaunty A-frame seem to be in competition for the cutest cabin on the block. Spritely purple and yellow wild flowers adorn the driveways.
Amidst the towering sequoias sits my little dream boat: Clean, with fancy modern amenities like a heated couch, ring lit bathroom mirror, and a king sized bed, plus an endless menagerie of animal entertainment taken from the steamy lounge seat in the sauna. Between the chatty ground squirrels scrabbling around the surrounding trees for dinner, and the colorful birds singing and fluttering about the lower branches, it felt like a Disney movie. A perfect sojourn to melt away my rock hard hiking calves and aching pack-mule shoulders from Yosemite.
Adirondack mornings at the dream boat cabin.
Early mornings seem natural in this place, and it was from my perch on the porch with a hot cup of joe that I posted my first Instagram story (yes, I am a very late adopter). But this post was extra special, because a long distant friend saw it and mentioned that she was so close, and yet so far from Yosemite. Where about, I inquired? Arnold, it so happened, just 10 min up the road! We planned to meet at Calaveras Big Trees State Park for a walk and chat amongst the giants that afternoon.
Vanessa and I had a lot to catch up on. She had seized the opportunity of the early pandemic housing market to move from the city to the woods and was truly living her best life. With her awesome partner and her super sweet samoyed, she’s living the telecommuters dream, complete with log cabin, chopping wood, snowy winters, and a pizza oven on the back porch!
We walked the majestic North Grove and saw 3,000 year old trees that were bigger than God. Their incredible size, some 25 feet wide and 250 feet tall, was a relic of a warmer, wetter Mesozoic climate. The original Big Tree was felled by its discoverer in 1852 and was taken on tour around the world, its massive stump turned into a dance floor. Why anyone would think to kill something so old and amazing boggles my mind. It’s a testament to the shortsightedness of humanity at times. Strangely it was just 10 years later that President Lincoln signed into law the conservation of Yosemite “inalienable for all time”. Eventually the Big Trees got the respect and protection they deserved so they may wow future generations for years to come.
After having our minds properly blown, Vanessa invited me back to her chalet for fresh, homemade pizza with delicious wine from Murphys! Not to mention the great conversation, and the worlds cutest dog. I now have an excuse to return for a visit. Thank you for your fantastic hospitality Vanessa and Jason! I bid farewell to Arnold from the hot tub as the sun set behind the tall trees, my heart full and happy.
