REDWOOD REPAST

Visitors have enjoyed picnics beneath the monarchs of the Fremont Group since the beginning of Big Trees Grove. The edge of the Fremont Tree is seen to the right and in the background is the broken base of the Fallen Sister, one of the Three Sisters - Author's Personal Collection

“There are many rustic tables scattered about among the trees in the grove, for the accommodation of picnickers. One of the most secluded of these we selected whereon to spread our lunch, and before we had fairly unpacked our boxes the gay bluejays came flying from all directions to the trees in our immediate vicinity, where they kept a most lively calling and cawing seemingly full of impatience for us to leave the remains of our repast to them. They would make ludicrous dashes at any scrap we threw to the almost tumbling over each other … There were several ladies at the house, I hardly think I ought to have called it hotel, and there were other parties who came in for a look at the grove and took dinner there. But I shall always prefer to have my dinner in the open air among the bluejays.”

Note: We know better now. Please do not feed the birds or other wildlife in the park. Thank you.

Source: “The Santa Cruz Big Trees,” by Laura J. Dakin, Express and Standard, [Newport, Vermont], September 26, 1876.