sirenofthetrees

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One of my favorite things to find on a trail: old cars in places they shouldn't be able to go.

This is from a trail in Mendocino National Forest in California. My brother and I stumbled upon these and wondered how long they had been there, and what kind of cars they were. Unfortunately I am not so knowledgeable on cars, so I really have no idea where to begin.

Old, beat up, bullet hole ridden, rusty cars are a common occurrence on my hikes. I love finding them every time. They often make a preferred habitat for wild reptiles and rodents too!

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The Petrified Forest in Calistoga, California.

Here you will find fossilized redwood trees of the extinct species Sequoia langsdorfii, and one fossilized pine.

The first picture shows the process of their excavation beginning in the late 19th century.

These trees became petrified after they were buried in ash from a volcanic eruption 3.4 million years ago. The eruption originated from what we now refer to as Mount St. Helena in the Mayacamas mountain range.

These trees are now all stone, silica taking the place of any organic matter in the trees. The slow process of minerals being deposited and replacing the tree, allows the precise detail of the original plant to remain. See the rings of the tree in pic no. 2.

Some specimens of leaves imprinted in the solidified volcanic ash have also been found. These fossils have been important for identifying plant species present at the time of the volcanic eruption, including the redwoods.

I unfortunately do not have a photo of such fossils, as these ones here are from my last visit a couple of years ago. Next time I am there, I will see about gathering more photos of the lesser known fossils in this park.

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Petroglyphs on a trail along a "wash" in Zion National Park, Utah.

According to the trail sign, indigenous people from multiple different cultures have inhabited this area for about 7000 years.

I have included a picture of the sign which sits in front of the barrier to the artwork.

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Point Reyes Lighthouse, California

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A photo of hole in the rocks shaped like the island of Maui taken in Maui, Hawaii.

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Incredible rock formation on the side of Hwy 180 in Kings Canyon National Park, California.

This beautiful chevron pattern is just past Boyden Cave, near where the tours start. The rangers at the little gift shop there pointed it out to us. We wouldn't have known to look for it otherwise!

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Decorative ceramic tile featuring fish found at an antique store.

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You must read this article about the tale of a ghost ship sailing through Wyoming in the 19th century, supposedly terrorizing the locals.

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"Lost Civilizations" Shoes by Anastasia Radevich

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Japanese lacquered covered box, (Tebalo). The cover decorated with 'Takarabune', treasure ship). In maki-e lacquer, height 55 cm length 21 cm, date unknown, maybe 19th century

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Small metal trinket tin found at the thrift store. I now use it to store my friendship bracelets.

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Swan/goose and duck serving bowls found at an antique store in Southern Utah.

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Heart shaped things I saw on a trail in Occidental, CA.

First photo is numerous heart shaped rocks placed by hikers at the base of a seasonal waterfall. The second photo is the heart shaped leaf of wild ginger.

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White-tailed deer By: Leonard Lee Rue III From: The World of the White-tailed Deer 1962

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Frog vessel, Colima, Mexico, 2nd century BC - 3rd century AD

from The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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Calaveras is one of the most beautiful California counties.

Images source