Nate's First Trip to the Redwoods

Here's something we've learned about parenting. You'll do yourself a big favor by giving up on being too goal-oriented. At least, for all the little things that don't really matter. Life with kids is a lot more enjoyable if you can stay flexible about plans.

We made reservations several months ago to stay overnight in a cabin in Little Basin. Until recently, Little Basin was Hewlett-Packard's private corporate campground. It is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, just down the road from the giant redwoods of Big Basin. A couple of years ago, Little Basin was purchased by the Sempervirens Fund and the Peninsula Open Space Trust with the intention of transferring the property to California state park system. But, since the state isn't doing so well budget-wise, Sempervirens and POST are holding onto the property for a while.

It has turned into a de facto private campground. Private and still unknown to a lot of people, but don't take it to imply exclusivity. Anybody who makes even a small donation to either of these worthy organizations can make a reservation to camp there.

A few days before our trip, as we were making lists of things to pack, Frances started to ponder the cold, hard truth about going camping during one's first trimester. "How far is the walk from the cabin to the nearest bathroom?" We decided we should cut back to a day trip.

On Saturday morning, we headed up the winding road to Big Basin. Nate looked a little nauseous at times and Frances looked a lot nauseous, but I'm happy to report that we made the entire trip with no episodes of vomiting.

Our plan was to eat lunch at Big Basin, walk Nate through a grove with the biggest trees, then drive over to Little Basin to have a look around. Nate loved the walk through the redwood grove. He liked exploring the bases of giants -- the burnt-out "caves" and gnarled roots -- but he was just as excited by climbing on the split-rail fence along the path. He was totally unimpressed with the height of the redwoods. When I pointed out the tallest tree in the forest, he pointed excitedly at a nearby drinking fountain.

He also kept asking where the playground was. We were in a park, after all.

Nate was clearly in need of a nap after the walk, so we decided to head home. Because of the winding roads, poor Nate just couldn't nap on the way home. He had a long, noisy meltdown, but we all survived it.

I was disappointed that we didn't even get to see Little Basin, but not too disappointed. I still remember fondly all the trips my family made to California's amazing state and national parks when I was a kid, and I'm gratified that we can give the same gift to our kids.

Pondering the magnificence of nature, and also pooping:

Frances and Nate posing in the hollow of a giant redwood:

Strolling on ahead:

Daddy and Nate. Note that I was holding a poop-filled diaper for about half of our nature walk:

Nate climbing through a cave in the base of a redwood: