#Californian redwood forests

[blujaykai]

CA: Huh. This isn't that bad.

MA: Told you.

CA: Still could use an eco-friendly cover. And maybe a little more sugar.

MA: Fuck off.

-

These 2 are THE nerdiest nerds to ever NERD they literally work on complex coding (and some serious hacking but don't tell gov) in the same room together and call it relationship goals 💖💞💕

Mass loves the naturally sparkling gold of Cal's eyes and Cal adores Mass' soothing bay blue ones

When they argue they like to refer to their respective mountains of degrees and doctorates and be like "WELL IM A CETRIFIED BLAH BLAH" "OH YEAH?? BITCH I HAVE AN ENTIRE DEGREE ON BLCHAHSBJDN" and they could literally go on for HOURS bc they both have such high egos surrounding education/tech

Cal def swears more whenever they're with Mass ("You motherfucking shithead!" "Aw ily2 bastard.)

He isn't telling a damn SOUL about this but Mass loves being hugged by Cal for long periods. Although they're an awkward bumbling string-bean of a state Mass can't lie and say Cal's hugs (their arms are long so they can fully wrap em around him and its soooo comforting) don't warm his very core like Californian valley sunrises and shifting desert sands—a loving and nurturing embrace of the grand redwood forests he's come to cherish.

#wttt california #wttsh #wttsh california #wttt #wttt massachusetts #wttsh massachusetts #calimass #?? what r these two nerds calleddd

[rynn-jacobs]

Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme and Sandra Good as wood nymphs photographed by Charles Manson (with a color camera stolen from Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys) at Spahn Ranch and in a Californian redwood forest, period 1968.

#manson family #charles manson #lynette fromme #manson #squeaky #charlie manson #spahn ranch #once upon a time in hollywood #squeaky fromme

[snootlessimperfectworld]

Let's Talk: Dragons

Dragons are like the bad boy/jocks of the Imperfect World.

To most other species, especially human, they are perceived as "aggressive" creatures, yet this couldn't be further from the truth. They really take the term "Gentle Giants" to a whole new level. This misconception is related solely to the drastic size difference and more animalistic behaviors of Dragons compared to other species, especially humans.

Dragons are Reptilians

Dragons are scaly, cold-blooded creatures with more traits in common with reptilians than anything else. Even when in their "human" form, Dragons are still cold-blooded and incredibly susceptible to cold temperatures and dramatic temperature changes than other species.

Often found wrestling or engaging in very violent-appearing behaviors to produce warmth. Think of litters of puppies playing. Lots of teeth, growling, tackling, and pinning each other but just massive reptilian creatures with wings that roar and growl and can shake the ground. Also engage in massive dogpiles to conserve warmth and energy. Just picture a mountain of multicolored dragons all curled around each other and using each others' wings as blankets and their tails as pillows. Any buildings designed for their "human" forms have massive windows, very open spaces designed to let in light.

They have nostrils, like lizards and snakes do, but use their forked tongues in similar fashion to smell. Surprisingly poor sense of smell, but make up for it in vision. You cannot hide from a dragon. They will see you. Adapted with heat-seeking "abilities" (basically thermal detection). Depending on where they're from within the dragon realm, they're surprisingly good swimmers. Can hold their breath for long periods of time (big lungs equal big breaths), and have hollow bones, meaning if they wanted they can float just a bit.

Primary diet components are cattle like animals found in their realm, a variety of seafood found on earth as well (crab is peak evolutionary form), unicorn, and sea-vegetation. Yes, they have unicorns in their realm and yes they are prey creatures. And yes, Dragons eat them.

Might be large and powerful, but surprisingly lazy creatures. They're known to not want to make short travels because it simply requires too much effort. This definitely has to do with their cold-blooded nature, as they often want to preserve energy for times where it might be a bit cooler than is comfortable to function.

Dragons: A History

They have a legend/true story that serves as the basis for their "government".

It's the story of the first monarchs. Prior to their ruling, the lands of their world were divided between the Stone fields, the Meadows, the Basalt Pits, and the Northern Forest (forest is a loose term for it, more like the only place that has trees. Think of like massive Californian Redwoods type trees here). There wasn't necessarily any aggression between these places, but they were all closed off from each other, typically due to just basic geography preventing easy access to other areas (such as Northern Forest dragons are a far distance from each other in dragon terms so they had little to no contact with each other prior to the first monarchs).

The first King, a Meadows dragon had spent a long time travelling between the different regions and had learned so many things. He knew it'd benefit their kind to be united in a way that allowed for better trade/communication. Besides, he had this burning love for a dragon from the Basalt Pits. So he worked on getting all the leaders/elders/officials of each region together and they formed a monarchy. He, surprisingly, didn't want to be the one to rule. He didn't like the idea of being the one in charge, but the others reminded him he was the most versed in all the regions out of them. They even called him "Son of All Dragons" because he had lost many practices/traits that are iconic to a Meadows dragon.

He was able to wed the Basalt Pits dragon he had fallen in love with. The Basalt Pits dragons are the most hostile out of all, they're still not aggressive nor dangerous to other dragons, but they, to this day, still prefer to keep to themselves.

Alpharion thus became the first king, an absolutely massive multi-colored dragon that earned respect from all the regions. His beloved wife, Sapphirona, was an equally large dragon, nearly his size. Their massive size is the reason the monarch must be the biggest, rather than there being an actual lineage to the throne: the "Dragon of all Dragons" so to speak gets to rule.

They had a buttload of children. Not uncommon for dragons, actually. Dragons are born from eggs, often in clutches of 3-5, and remain as dragons until roughly 18-20 years of age. Dragons can live for long ass times, so this is like, comparatively to humans, only like 18-20 weeks of development. And they get big fast.

Their first clutch was 4: A gold dragon boy named Alverick, a bronze girl named Mayatina, a silver boy named Tobias, and another boy of grey coloring named Timotep. These four grew up to be the largest of all their siblings, and Alverick even grew to be larger than his father.

Their second clutch was 3: a dragon girl with cocoa brown coloring named Caris, a black dragon boy named Wilmack, and another girl with the most brilliant white scales named Yundara. Yundara ended up being the biggest of this clutch, roughly the same size as many of her older siblings.

Their third clutch was 4: a girl of pinkish coloring (like a sunset almost) named Roschlin, a boy of iridescent scales named Indizi, a gorgeous forest green girl named Emteria, and a dark yellow boy named Flamiatus.

But what Sapphirona and Alpharion hadn't expected was a single egg to be laid nearly a month later. It wasn't uncommon for some eggs to be delayed, or premature, but these types of eggs typically held still-born offspring. This egg, however, hatched rather quickly, and out popped the most beautiful little red dragon Sapphirona and Alpharion had ever seen. His headdress was gorgeous, matching his mother's extremely complex crown of spines, horns, and a matching pair of massive sea-shell like ears.

HIs name? Atendarajo, meaning "Precious".

Alverick and his siblings quickly grew very jealous of their mother's favoritism, especially considering how ridiculously small this dragon was. They tried to find ways to get their mother's affection to waver, yet it never did.

So Alverick took matters into his own hands. With the help of the Royal Guard, he captured his mother and baby brother. She was chained in her dragon form by her own son, as he was the only dragon present bigger than her.

She watched in horror as they killed her precious baby.

To this day, in the dungeons of the castle, built by Alpharion, lies a massive chamber known as "Sapphirona's Death". Inside the chamber is a pool filled with water. The water has remained the same the entire time, and many believe the water to be the very tears Sapphirona shed for both her sons; the eldest so overwhelmed with jealous it had driven him mad, and her precious, no more than a babe and as innocent as can be.

Alpharion casted himself and Alverick out, and there are rumors that on a distant island, they still fight to this day. Sapphirona, unfortunately, passed from what they call "heartbreak" not long after the incident.

But the dragons know something she never had a chance to learn: the dragon murdered that night wasn't her own. He has yet to be found ;)

This is part of why dragons, to this day, still discriminate against small dragons: the lasting jealous of Alverick's surviving siblings permeated the political realm, and has yet to be reversed.

Regions of Dragons

As I mentioned before, there are different regions within the dragons' realm.

The Stone fields: a large portion of exposed stone on the main island. These dragons are typically shorter, yet longer, with slimmer shapes. They're designed for mining the plethora of raw materials found within the stone base of the mainland. They had specialized claws, no horns/headdresses, and nose flaps/second eyelids to protect from dirt/dust. Very well-adapted to seeing in the dark, especially opposed to Meadow dragons. The social butterflies of the dragon realm. They share most of what they find, as they prefer the drab stone and basic rocks found, so they trade many of the precious gems/metals.

The Meadows: Typically the biggest of the dragons, with minimal extra qualities like spines/headdresses. Probably what you think of when you think dragon, just without the flair, in terms of shape. Proportional limbs and good, thick bois all around. Probably the laziest of the dragons, as well. Their biggest trade item is the cattle creatures they shepherd, as well as unicorn. The most common of dragons/have the largest population. Follow in Alpharion's footsteps and travel the most, making them desirable in official trade businesses.

The Northern Forest: These are the dragons that have longer hind legs than front ones. Devon is a Northern Forest dragon. The shorter front limbs are designed to assist them in foraging in the trees, which can often be taller than the average Northern Forest dragon (Devon is an exception, he has a bit of Meadow heritage from his father hence why he's hecking large). Lumber is their biggest trade item, and are known as the "nerds" of the dragon world because they do a lot more reading/writing than the others do. This makes them desirable for working within the castle/government.

The Basalt Pits: These are the introverts of the dragon world. Where Stone Fields dragons are extroverts, these guys don't like company/visitors. They're the rivalling for largest dragons (on average) but also the fanciest of dragons. Known for having complex crests/crowns of horns, spikes, spines, etc. around their heads. Have really reflective/almost naturally sparkly scales. Have the best metal workers and create the best weapons/metal creations. Cranky, not very desirable for government roles because of their tempers. (Yes, this is what Aten is)

And that's our talk on Dragons! Any questions, compliments, or just ideas you've had after reading this? Please don't shy away from asking!

#snootles's ocs #snootles's let's talk series #snootles's let's talk dragons! #dragon ocs #dragon lore for original work #dragons #imperfect canons by snootles #snootles's imperfect world #snootles's original work #original work #original story #original fiction #fantasy writing #worldbuilding

[lifebuoyjournals]

(Travel Journal)

New Zealand 2022: Rotorua

Started the morning early with a trip down to visit the Hobbiton movie set. It was very cute and a great photo op, even if you're not a Tolkien fan. The guides were knowledgeable too, and gave us some fun behind-the-scenes facts about the movies. However, this was very much a "photo for fans/Instagram" thing rather than an immersive experience. Only guided tours are allowed (understandable - I can imagine all the damage and vandalism to the set otherwise) and the guides kept rushing us to move on to the next area. It's very structured and you don't get a lot of time to look at and admire the little details about the place. So despite being a Tolkien fan, this experience felt very one-dimensional and flat.

We went to Te Puia after visiting Hobbiton, and it was quite the difference! It was also a guided tour, but everything felt richer and more personal. We learned about Māori arts and culture, from carving and sculpting to architecture. We visited the Pōhutu geyser and the guide told us stories about his childhood playing in the spring, and how they'd dive into the water to get some tips from tourists. We sat on the heated rocks lining the geyser and enjoyed the light splashes of the erupting water every few minutes. Compared to Hobbiton, this experience was multi-sensory and definitely a lot more memorable.

We had some time after Te Puia so the driver-guide brought us to the Californian redwoods. It's always nice to walk beneath these giants and admire their towering beauty. The only regret was not having enough time to explore the entire forest, but that just means I have more reason to come back again 🍂

P.S. I have different set of photos from this part of the trip on my Instagram. Feel free to check it out if you're interested!

#studyblr #study #studyspo #a students lifebuoy #problematicprocrastinator #travel journal #journal #heysaher #heyzainab #blueplaidlook #madistudiess #heyaltin #heysantiago #adelinestudiess

[cryptidclaw]

hizya, just wanted to tell you that i ADORE your art, and au's, and auushsh

it really makes me wanna share my own fan clans / develop them more !! if i may be a lil self-indulgent, these are quick overviews of 'em ( they are based loosely on the west coast of america, specifically california and its coastal redwoods ) !

ridgeclan live on rocky cliffs that mostly overlook the other territories, and make their camp inside the crags in the rock. they're the most reclusive, yet are amazing allies, they have a righteous upbringing that makes them defend those in the right.

redclan make their home in the trunks and underbrush of a large, shadowy redwood forest, falls into a sandy beach area. they are known to be the most brash, but are very inclusive, if you can prove yourself, that is.

birchclan has their camp in an abandoned tree house, a big one too, that has multiple bridges that connect to other small houses. while redclans forest is ancient, shadowy, and thick with underbrush, birchclans forest is younger, with enough space between the foliage and branches that dapple the grass below. at their best, they can seem confident and wily, at their worst, they're smug and apathetic.

streamclan is a lot like riverclan, but wayy more playful and inquisitive. some would even say the can is full of air heads... i never knew what else to add to that clan, agshsgs

and the last would be the mysterious cavernclan, that live in the cove that can be found for into the beach. they stopped attending gathering for a WHILE and there are rumors of what's going on with them.

annnnd that's it! the plot would've kicked off at the height of a california drought and heatwave, a stranger arriving in ridgeclan, and unfurling the mystery with cavernclan through the eyes of a ridgeclan apprentice + the friends they'd slowly make in other clans.

OH MY GOD I LOVE THISSSS

as a Californian who loves going up to the mountains I m literally obsessed.

Im thinking about making my own clans in a California inspired territory at some point!!!

Also bringing in our drought and heatwave as a plot line is great it would be super interesting to see how that would effect things!

i rarely ever see water when I go hiking these days its so dryyyyyy,,, well except for rn bec we got hit with like 10 yrs worth of rain in like the span of 2 weeks heh

#cryptid answers #warrior cats

[shatterstar]

I know californians are some of the most strange and offputting creatures on earth but california is so so so beautiful. to me. like hello rolling brown hills dotted with oaks and manzanita hello redwood forest hello fog in the monterey cypress trees hello bluest ocean in the whole world hello granite and ponderosa pine. Hello freezing snowmelt in the south fork american River. <3

#what Hwy 1 does to a mf

[arthur-rex]

𝙢𝙚𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙪𝙣

— 𝙗𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙘𝙨

(𝙋𝙀𝙉)𝙉𝘼𝙈𝙀: Rex (believe it or not, this was suggested by one of my older Merlin writers. Previously I went by another penname - hence ooc @sparringett) 𝙋𝙍𝙊𝙉𝙊𝙐𝙉𝙎: they/them 𝙕𝙊𝘿𝙄𝘼𝘾: libra sun, aquarius moon, aries rising 𝙎𝙄𝙉𝙂𝙇𝙀 / 𝙏𝘼𝙆𝙀𝙉: married (and it’s complicated)

— 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙨

𝙞. I am bisexual and I am a Christian. I really really love being gay and being accepted by Jesus Christ. It’s bloody amazing. All the religious fundamentalists out there have no idea. Silly sausages.

𝙞𝙞. I am a huge dog person. If you interact with me on discord it is likely you have already been met with one or two pics of my dog. Caesar’s helped me through some tough times and continues to do so. A dog loves unconditionally. Man’s best friend, without a shadow of a doubt.

Actually, have a picture:

𝙞𝙞𝙞. My big dream is not actually to publish a best-selling novel. I’d like to be a songwriter and release an album. Again, doesn’t have to be phenomenally successful - just known of and respected within the indie music scene.

— 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚

I’ve been writing creatively since I could write. RPing for the last 20-odd years. The first character I ever RPed was an OC Entwife. Yes, one of those that got fed up and left Middle-Earth early because the Ents seemed to do fuck all and simply let the humans, wizards and orcs wreck the forests for so long it became unbearable. I can’t remember her name, I think she was affiliated to the Californian redwoods. I was 12 years old. Anyway, puberty hit, and then all my muses suddenly became male, bar one, so Arthur is actually just the latest in a long line of... uhh, mostly blond males. James Kirk, Raoul Silva (ok he dyed his hair but whatever), Heath Ledger’s Joker, Simm!Master. I’m not sure why this happens but it’s happened enough to be noticeable. Although, I do have Tom Riddle and Will Graham to fly the flag for the brunets.  

— 𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚

Mostly males. Mostly villains actually. Raoul Silva, Tom Riddle, the Joker (Heath Ledger) Will Graham, Arthur Pendragon (as a demonically possessed vampire), the Master (Simm!portrayal) and (sadly) Daenerys Targaryen verge into this territory. I have got Arthur who is fundamentally a good boy, to balance things out. Also, I write as Capaldi’s Doctor, aka the love is kind and always wise doctor to help with managing the bad boys (and girl), while being a grumpy asshole about it xD

— 𝙨𝙪𝙗-𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙧𝙚𝙨

Lots of angst. Happy Endings. Very simple. Although within that if an author drops in: hurt/comfort, soulmates, first time, D/s, childhood trauma, UST (until it isn’t), polyships, fem!slash ... I will probably jump for that fic / plot that bit faster. Any fandom involving DRAGONS is also a big big pull. 

— 𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙩𝙨 𝙫𝙨. 𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙨

I love to plot. I really should devote more time to fanficcing, but RPing just keeps drawing me in. Some of my longest threads on arthur-rex though did start out as memes, so... I’m not against using them. I’m really fine with writing in whatever way works best with my RP partner. I do like the long, complex stories though, so if we start writing together, buckle up because you’ll likely be in for the long haul.

𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙙: @ofmagik 💛

𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜: @thewritcrinme @sorceress-queen @miladys-servant-gwen @thelonewendwater @fatedestined @excaliborn (belle you can pick which account to reply to, if you like @bilan-igg @lespendragons @shireentheunburnt @kingalfrcd @constcllations @dcrkknightren @xxonceuponafuckxx​ @reliquusrex​ @multistoty @irritablereddemo​​

Also open to non-RP blogs! Fanficcers, feel free to fill in if you’d like :)

#Tagged #Munday

[curatorscube]

JINEN

JINEN is a traveling exhibition with new work from Dan John Anderson, Ido Yoshimoto, Kazunori Hamana, and Yu Kobayashi. The artists, two living and working in California, and two practicing in Japan, are drawn together here to explore the shared interests of their varying practices which are each inspired at a fundamental level by their own experiences of living with nature. In origin this project emerged organically between the four artists through shared inspirations that blossomed both in a moment and over time. The end product is a proposal in which the artists exhibit works in two very different yet iconic Californian landscapes: A-Z West in the Mojave Desert and Salmon Creek Farm in the coastal redwood forests. For the first iteration of this project the artists will install their works in and around the "A-Z Planar Pavilions" at A-Z West, an artwork and 80 acre compound by artist Andrea Zittel in the Mojave town of Joshua Tree. For the second iteration, the artists will install their works among the shaded depths of the Redwoods at Salmon Creek Farm, a former counterculture commune and now a queered commune-farm-homestead and land-based non profit by Fritz Haeg on the Mendocino coast.

Presented by Curator's Cube, JINEN will take place at A-Z West in Joshua Tree, CA from April 19-22nd, 2024 and then travel to Salmon Creek Farm in Albion, CA from May 3-5th, 2024.

Please reach out to [email protected] with inquiries and requests for private viewings which may reach outside of these posted exhibition dates.

[parksaversnews]

The Best Spots for Making Disneyland TikTok Videos

TikTok has become hugely popular in recent years, with people creating fun 15 to 60 second videos set to music. Disneyland is a prime location for making engaging TikTok content. Guests are allowed to film TikTok videos throughout the Disneyland parks and resorts. When deciding where to film your Disneyland TikTok videos, it's best to choose locations that are less crowded so you don't disrupt other guests or block walkways. Quietest Places to Film - Main Street Cinema - This small theater rarely has crowds, making it perfect for filming dances or challenges. The vintage cinema seats also make a fun backdrop. - Court des Anges - The secluded courtyard in New Orleans Square offers shade trees, benches, and little foot traffic - ideal for recording solo or with a friend. - Hungry Bear Restaurant Outdoor Seating - Overlooking the Rivers of America, this area is consistently quiet and peaceful, with beautiful natural views. - Grand Californian Hotel Lobby - The grand, spacious lobby filled with plush couches allows ample room for filming. You can even order refreshments. Other solid options are the Animation Courtyard at California Adventure or Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in Grizzly Peak. Most Scenic Places - Pixar Pier at California Adventure - Offers colorful, vibrant views of the Incredicoaster, Toy Story Midway Mania, and other rides set against scenic Paradise Bay and the Pacific Ocean. - Grizzly Peak at California Adventure - Provides beautiful natural backdrops of forests, rivers, and mountains surrounding Grizzly River Run and the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. - Rivers of America at Disneyland - Scenic waterway with options like the Mark Twain Riverboat, Columbia Sailing Ship, canoes, and wooded trails along the riverbanks. - Main Street USA at Disneyland - Charming, old-fashioned small town views of the entrance promenade lined with shops and attractions. - New Orleans Square at Disneyland - Picturesque themed land evoking vintage New Orleans French Quarter architecture and Mardi Gras colors. Other scenic spots cited include Cars Land at dusk, Paradise Gardens Park at night, Sleeping Beauty Castle walkthrough, and Mickey's Toontown facade. Areas with beautiful lighting, iconography related to rides, or water views tend to be popular backdrops. Best Rides to Film On - Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance - An immersive 15+ minute experience with impressive special effects, animatronics, and set design that makes for dramatic video footage. - Radiator Springs Racers - Offers scenic views of Cars Land and an exciting, fast-paced race component ideal for action videos. - Incredicoaster - This rollercoaster provides opportunities for fun reaction videos, with fast speeds and loops. - Pixar Pal-A-Around - Allows capturing an incredible view of the entire Park. - Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission Breakout - Video can showcase the randomized ride experiences and music, particularly the intense drops. Other top options include classics like Space Mountain, Indiana Jones, and Big Thunder Mountain. Rides with strong theming, speed, or iconic Disney features tend to make the most engaging video subjects. Tips for Making Food TikTok Videos - Keep it simple - Focus on one food item at a time. Simplicity helps videos be easily consumable and go viral. - Make it fun and engaging - Incorporate humor, interesting edits, music, and movement to capture attention. Over 83% of TikTokers have created their own videos, so inspire them. - Use top-down camera angles - Show every angle of the food. This optimized mobile viewing angle provides information quickly. - Highlight food details - Use good lighting and show all toppings and side items. - Tap into trends and seasonality - Connect content to popular food crazes and seasonal events that spark interest and searches. - Collaborate with creators - Partner with influencers to expand reach and authenticity. Combine organic content with paid partnerships. - Encourage easy participation - Inspire viewers to come and get their own. - Post consistently - Regularly upload new videos to build an audience and get more views. Short form content requires constant stimulation. When filming your TikToks, be sure to avoid blocking walkways or intruding on other guests' experiences. Additionally, never try to defeat safety measures on rides just for more dramatic footage, as Disney has warned this causes unsafe conditions. With so many fun backdrops across the Disneyland Resort, it’s a prime place for making engaging TikTok content - just be sure to do it safely and courteously!  Read the full article

[rithebard]

On Thursday; #ChattingWithSherri welcomes #multiawardwinning #makeupandhairdesigner; #DeborahLanser on 10/12/23 at 7pm pt; http://tobtr.com/12271329 #interview #filmandtelevision

[bleach-vodka]

heaven is an all girls sleep away camp in a californian redwood forest

[poppypeach]

Fungi finds underneath the redwoods 🍄 (at Californian Redwood Forest) https://www.instagram.com/p/CfV01RWP0Xm/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[imagine-loki]

Imagine that, in 'revenge' for the D.B. Cooper thing, the next time Thor loses a bet to Loki, Loki makes his big bro wear an oversized fur coat and run around Californian redwood forests pretending to be Bigfoot

#Loki #God of Mischief #Imagine #jotun-philosopher #revenge #D.B. Cooper #thor #lose #oversized fur coat #Californian redwood forests #pretending #Bigfoot #Loki Series Spoilers

[blkrchrds]

Photos of me in a Redwood forest, living the best life I can before I die.

#californian redwoods #redwood forest #forest #victoria australia #australia #weed #marijuana

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this New York Times story:

In a grove of old-growth trees, in Northern California’s Humboldt Redwoods State Park, emerald-tinged light filters through a dense green canopy. Fallen tree trunks are coated in a riot of fluorescent green growth and crescent-shaped oyster mushrooms. Stumps, 20 feet wide, are obscured with budding wildflowers and ferns. Earlier, I drove along the Avenue of the Giants, a 31-mile scenic road that winds through a tunnel of green and gold.

It’s May 2021, and surrounded by these 500-year-old giants, I feel a needed sense of calm. After a year of terrifying change, deadly disease, sociopolitical unrest and raging fire, the forest remains a place where I can come to be still. But stillness is an illusion here. The redwoods, seemingly unmovable, are always growing and adapting to the changing world around them. Their existence is proof that nothing, even the worst of times, lasts forever. And when you’ve been alive for hundreds or even thousands of years, there’s a strong chance you’ve seen it all before.

Redwoods are a beloved fixture of the West, beautiful and soaring with thick, almost furry red-hued bark, deep trunk grooves and lush green needles. They can grow more than 300 feet high and 30 feet wide, and can live for hundreds if not thousands of years — the oldest redwoods in California are between 2,500 and 3,200 years old.

Californians like myself are possessive of them because they are ours — both coast redwoods and giant sequoias are only found from Central California up to southern Oregon. Historically, we have treasured them for their durability — much of the West was built with redwoods, which were logged to great profits. Now, more attention is being paid to the value and importance of these trees and forests: the ecosystems they create, the wildlife they protect, the mental benefits they provide human visitors and the essential role they play as the world stares down the barrel of climate change. That’s all the more potent considering just how little are left, tenuously preserved in small stands across the West.

#california #Humboldt Redwoods State Park #redwood trees

[lost-in-the-80s]

The Hotel - Halloween Special

Pairing: Izzy Stradlin x Reader

Words: 4,859k

Summary: You and your boyfriend, Izzy decide to make a road trip, however, strange events end up leading you to a strange hotel on October, 31st. (kind of angst) 

A/N: Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, so I decided to make an Imagine with the Halloween theme. It is inspired by the song Hotel California by Eagles.

Warnings: Swearing, mentions of death, ghosts and paranormal events. It’s a horror fic, if you don’t like this theme, maybe this isn’t the right fic for you. 

Tag list: @roger-taylors-car​ @ladieswttda​ @teasid​ add yourself to my tag list :)

It was the fall of 1990, you and your boyfriend, Izzy were enjoying the last few months you had together before he went on another world tour with his band, Gun n Roses.

The two of you were in the living room of your shared apartment in L.A. You shared a cozy blanket while sitting on the couch, watching some romantic movie on the TV. Izzy didn’t really like this type of movie, but made an effort because he knew how much you liked them. 

You snuggled in his chest, pressing yourself even more on him, he chuckled a little and passed his fingers through your hair.

“We should do something.” He stated.

“Like what?”

“How about a road trip? We take the car and drive until Portland, then come back.”

“Portland? You mean, Oregon?”

“Yeah, Oregon. I was looking on the map and it has some beautiful locations there.”

“But how long will it take us?”

“It’s a 14-hour drive, we can make it in a week through the coast and then come back in another week, taking a different road.”

“Hmm, sounds nice! Let’s do it!” 

“How about we leave by the end of October? So I can have enough time to finish some stuff at the studio.”

“Sure, babe!”

And so October went by, Izzy finished some final touches at the studio, you rescheduled some appointments of yours, you two organized your bags, bought a map, a flashlight and some other travel essentials and checked the car with a mechanic. Everything was going as planned. 

You decided to leave on Monday, 22nd, because the roads would be less packed. So you both woke up, took shower, had a delicious breakfast and started your amazing trip.

You knew that the reason why Izzy wanted to leave town for a while, was because he was stressed. Axl was a perfectionist, while Izzy liked things to sound less rehearsed, for that reason the two of them have been bickering towards each other during all this album recording, and Izzy really needed some time away from all of this. 

The trip started just fine, you drove through the coast and you got amazed by how beautiful California’s coast was. All its colors, shapes and beaches getting a special place in your memory.

The first stop was Santa Barbara, you two enjoyed it’s beaches, becoming friends with a group of sourfists that taught Izzy how to surf. By night you went to a nice restaurant in front of the beach, delighting yourselves with cocktails and seafood.

Then you went to San Francisco, where you decided to stay for two days, visiting all its touristic places, like the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, Pier 39 and the Coit Tower.

Moving on to Sonoma, you could savor some of the best wine you had had in your life and spend the night at a cozy cottage, reading a book and cuddling together in front of the fireplace. 

The last stop in California was the Redwood National Park. You got completely stunned by that place, admiring the magnitude of the world, as you looked so small beside those trees. 

Soon the greenish color of the sea turned bluer, the sunset became less orange and the mornings turned more grey, the sand turned to earth and the breeze became colder and you arrived in Oregon. 

You glimpsed the strength of the sea at the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor and Cape Sebastian State Scenic Corridor and admired the sunset at the Face Rock State Scenic Area. 

And finally, you got stunned with the Devil’s Punchbowl and spent a day relaxing at Neskowin Beach ending the week taking the most beautiful pictures at Cannon Beach, where you bought souvenirs for all your friends. 

Then you finally arrived in Portland, spending the weekend there, seeing all the touristic places and visiting museums. On Sunday night, Izzy took you to this fancy restaurant, you wore a beautiful blue dress he had asked you to bring along, while he put on a black shirt with a blazer.

You had just eaten delicious lamb meat with a glass of wonderful wine and were waiting for the dessert when he started talking.

“I’ve been thinking these past days, about the tour and stuff.”

You looked up at him and his eyes caught yours.

 “I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, but I’m sure it will be a long time and I didn’t really want to leave without doing something first.”

He touched your hand that was resting on top of the table.

“You’ve been with me for years now. You met me when having a big band and becoming famous were just dreams, you saw me in my best and in my worst and you never let go of me, even when I was being an asshole with you.”

He made a pause.

“I wake up happy every day, just because I know that I’ll see you when I open my eyes, and I can’t imagine my life without you. So I was wondering if…” He stopped and started to search for something in his blazer pockets, he took a small black box out of it and you gasped, covering your mouth as a huge smile appeared on your face. “If you would like to marry me, Y/N?”

Recovering a little from your surprise, you replied with teary eyes. “Yes, Izzy, I would love to!” 

He placed a small silver ring with a single diamond on top of it, on your ring finger and kissed the back of your hand, then he leaned a little on the table and pecked your lips.

“I love you!”

“I love you too, Izzy”

When Monday came by, you two fueled the car and started driving back home. stopping at some locations you haven’t been before.

You had the chance to drive a buggy at the Oregon Dunes, take lots of pictures at the Heceta Head Lighthouse and make a forest trail at the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area before camping at Beverly Beach. Which, by the way, was a disaster, you forgot the repellent spray and the mosquitos had a nice dinner over with you and Izzy. 

Soon, day 31st arrived. You woke up in your tent with a single sunbeam illuminating the place, you felt Izzy’s arms holding you close to him and you took a moment to admire your engagement ring. 

You stretched up a little bit, which woke him up. He yawned and squeezed you harder, before speaking with a husky morning voice. 

“Good morning, beautiful!”

“Good morning, Iz!”

You turned around and kissed him quickly on the lips.

“Happy Halloween.”

“Today’s Halloween?” He frowned.

You just hummed in response. 

“All right, let’s get up then.” He pecked your lips one more time and let go of you, as he sat up. 

You got ready, packed your stuff and exited the tent, starting to walk towards the parking lot. 

You looked up to the sky and saw the grey color became prevalent.

“I think it’s gonna rain.” You said.

“Maybe if we have breakfast fast enough, we can get to California before it starts.”

You sat on the passenger seat, scrolling through the radio stations until you found one that pleased your ears.

After a few minutes driving, you stopped at a cafe, taking a table in front of the window and ordering pancakes with coffee.

“Where’s the next stop?” Izzy asked.

You took the map out of your purse and looked cautiously.

“Mount Shasta.”

“Hmm. I think we’ll get there for lunch.” He paused to take a sip of his coffee. “A friend of mine told me about a hotel there, I don’t remember the name, but it has Wale on it.”

“Nice. We should spend the night there!”

“We really should.”

You finished eating and started driving again. Izzy took the wheel while you gave him the directions. It was a little past ten when the rain started pouring, making Izzy drive slower, not trusting his car to stop fast enough if you needed it.

About 2 in the afternoon you got to Mount Shasta. It was still raining and the trail had been closed due to the bad weather.

Not having many more things to do, you both had lunch at a local restaurant and took pictures of yourselves at the mounting foot and other places you found interesting. You smiled as Izzy made a funny face for you to take a picture.

An old man started walking near you, and you asked him if he could take a picture of the two of you, which he happily complied. 

You went to Izzy’s side and rested your hand on his chest, while his hand circled your waist. You saw the flash and then Izzy kissed your forehead, the second flash hit your eyes and Izzy thanked the man, getting the camera back.

The day started to grow dark and you decided to head to the hotel, since it was about an hour away from the city.

The rain became stronger and the mist started to cover the road. You passed by the numerous trees that surrounded the road while listening to Lynyrd Skynyrd.

In the distance, you saw a red light appear beside a big house. “There!” you shouted.

You were right, it was the hotel. You were both sure as you saw “Californian Wale” written on top of the house. There was just one problem, the red neon light in front of it said “No vacancy”, which meant you would have to keep on driving, during that weather, until you found somewhere else to stay. 

As the sunset and the night arrived, the weather got worse, thunder and lightning turning the night into a spectacle and you barely could see anything until it was really close to you. 

You were becoming hopeless, you thought you wouldn't be able to find anywhere to stay for the night.

By 7 in the night, Izzy didn't see a hole on the road, a loud sound broke in the darkness and you knew you had punctured the tire.

For a second Izzy lost control over the car and you ended up out of the road. 

"Fuck! Are you alright?"

"Yes." You let go of a breath you didn't realize you had caught.

"Where's the flashlight?"

You searched through the glove compartment until your hands touched the cold material. You handed him the object as he thanked you and exited the car.

After a few minutes, he came back. "Fuck!" He was dripping wet. "We don't have a spare wheel."

"What do you mean we don't have a spare wheel?"

"I mean we don't have a spare wheel, Y/N!" He replied to you as if he was talking to a toddler. 

"I thought you had checked the car out with the mechanic!"

"I did it! But we just checked the engine and shit, I didn't even think about the step!"

"Fuck! What do we do now?"

"I don't know." He leaned his head on the wheel while cursing.

Suddenly a car headlight lightened the road.

"Look!" 

Izzy lifted his head and you smashed the car's horn, making the driver stop his truck beside your car, turning on the alert lights. 

It was a squeak. You breathed out in relief.

"What happened?" He shouted through his window.

"We punctured the tire and don't have a spare wheel!"

"Alright, hold it!" He lined up his truck with your car and exited it.

"Wait inside." Was all Izzy said before exiting the car to help the driver hitch the car on the truck.

After a few minutes he came back and the car started to be pulled back on the road.

"He called us crazy for not having seen the weather forecast on the news. We're underneath a huge storm cloud." He chuckled.

"He said there's a small city not too far from here, he'll let us there."

"Good" You sighed.

After some minutes you saw the city's entrance, he wasn't joking when he said it was small. It had just one main street and all the houses looked old.

He left you and Izzy in front of a mechanic garage and refused to get the money Izzy offered him for having driven you there.

You entered the office of the garage, hand in hand, and a man in his 40s appeared behind the counter. He had a toothpick between his lips and looked like he hadn't taken shower in ages. 

"Hm, good night. We have a punctured tire." Izzy spoke up.

"I see, let's take a look."

He moved outside and looked at your tire. 

"Well, it's not that bad. I have a tire of this type here, I can fix it in 30 minutes or so."

"Good!"

"Do you have a car jack?"

"Yes, it's in the back."

"Go get it while I get the tire then."

Izzy moved towards the car and the man looked you up and down, making you feel a huge discomfort. 

You walked quickly to Izzy's side while the man walked back inside the office.

"I don't like this man." You whispered.

"Me neither, but we need to fix the car, baby." He put a lock of your hair behind your ear and closed the trunk. 

The man came back and you leaned against a wall while you watched them working on the car. 

"All done! It's 250 bucks." The man said, while he scratched his nose.

"250? Wow, that's way more than I had thought."

"I'm working at night, kid, my time it's not for free."

Izzy stared at him.

"I can take the tire off if you want." He said, leaning down. 

"No, it's fine." 

You both walked inside the office, while Izzy paid the man.

"Do you take a check?"

"I don't, usually." 

"I don't walk around with 250 bucks in my wallet, man." 

"Alright, I'll take your check then, but I want the date for tomorrow."

"Alright, man."

"Where are you guys going?"

"We're going to Los Angeles."

"It's a long road until Los Angeles, especially with this weather. If I were you, I would spend the night at a hotel… We have a good one, a little bit after the city. They serve a good soup at nights like this."

Izzy signed up for the check. "Thank you"

He grabbed your hand and you walked back to the car.

"What do you think? Should we check out this hotel?"

"I think it's a good idea. I'm soaked, we're hungry and it's raining cats and dogs outside." He turned on the car. "Plus, we don't know if we'll find somewhere else nearby."

You agreed. 

He drove until you saw a huge Victorian house with a sign saying "Hotel Hoffmann".

"I guess we're here."

He parked the car and you both exited, running in the rain until you got to the main door of the house.

You knocked repeatedly until an old woman opened the door for you. She had white hair and dark eyes and was dressed as if she still lived in the 50s.

"Come on in, kids." She gave you a creepy smile.

You gulped, grabbing Izzy's hand before entering the place.

"What a night huh?" She laughed a little. "Bill called saying you two would probably stop by."

"I'm sorry, but, who's Bill?" You asked.

"The man who fixed your car, darling."

"Oh"

"We still have some open rooms for you. Do you prefer it on the first or second floor?"

"Second, please" Izzy cleared his throat, the rain starting to make him feel sick.

"All right, I'll put you in room number 13." She looked through the multiple keys behind her, before putting the one with a locksmith with a big 13 written. 

"We'll be serving soup until nine at the main saloon." She put a leather-covered notebook on the desk. "In which name should I make the reservation?"

"Jeffrey Isbell." Izzy spoke before you could answer. 

She wrote his name down with a beautiful calligraphy before handing him the pen to sign. 

She handed you the keys to your room and said she would take you both there. Izzy interjected saying he would go grab your baggage in the car.

"Do you want help?"

"No, honey, it's okay." He left the room and an uncomfortable silence filled in. 

"It's been a long time since we last had a young couple like you."

You forced a smile, not really knowing what to say.

Izzy came back with the bags and she led you to your room. Once inside, Izzy locked the door.

You stopped for a moment to look at the room. It was big, the walls were painted in peach color and the furniture looked old.

"Finally some peace." He hugged you from behind, kissing the top of your head.

You turned around, hugging him back. "You need to take a shower, or you're gonna catch a cold."

"Hmm, and will you join me?" He asked suggestively.

"No, I'll go later, babe"

"Are you sure?"

You nodded your head and he walked towards the bathroom, closing the door behind him. 

You took a long breath. Something was wrong. You couldn't quite put into words what, but your heart was clenched ever since you got in that town.

You took a seat at the bench underneath the window, looking at the dimly light garden. No cars were passing by, the only thing you distinguished outside was a dog running down the street.

"The rain is starting to stop." 

Izzy's voice made you jump a little, you hadn't realized he had left the bathroom, nor that you had been there for so long. 

You looked at him. "Why don't you take a shower and we go down to eat something?" He caressed your face and you instantly felt calmer.

He always had this power over you, no matter what was happening, you always felt safe and calm when Izzy was with you. 

"There's something wrong, Iz."

"What do you mean?" He sat in front of you.

"I don't know. I don't like this place, there's something wrong with the energy around here."

"I don't like this place too, but it's only for one night, tomorrow morning we get in the car and drive to the next destination ok?"

"Okay"

You stood up and walked towards the bathroom, closing the door and turning on the shower. Taking off your clothes you looked at yourself in the mirror before getting underneath the hot water, letting it warm your body.

Exiting the bathroom you put on a pair of jeans and a red sweatshirt and walked with Izzy to the main room. There was just a couple with a young daughter there. They stared at you until you sat down. 

Another old woman brought you two plates with soup and you started eating. The taste was horrible, but you were so hungry that you ate everything.

Back to your room, you guys were feeling so tired that decided to call it a night, Izzy removed his clothes and you put on his sweater, before climbing on bed with him. You adjusted the blankets and closed your eyes, allowing yourself to fall asleep.

A loud scream woke you up. You sat down on the bed and turned the night table light on, looking at the clock you saw it was 3 in the morning. 

"Did you hear that?"

"Yeah." Izzy said getting up and putting his pants on.

The corridor light allowed you to see a shadow passing by the door.

"Turn the light off." Izzy murmured.

You did as he said and you saw the person take another direction.

After a few seconds you turn it on again, and a scream left your lips as you could swear you saw someone behind Izzy.

"Shh, it's okay." He climbed on the bed and cupped your face. "I'm here, nothing is gonna happen to you, ok?"

"Okay." You breathed slowly, trying to calm yourself.

Suddenly the bedroom windows opened and the cool breeze of the night invaded the room.

"Izzy…" you tugged on his arm.

"Let's get out of here." He grabbed your hand and dragged you out of the room.

The corridor was empty and you started to walk quickly towards the entry door. You turned left and were faced with a long corridor full of doors.

That's when you hear what looked like a child asking for help. Izzy started walking towards the sound and you pulled him back by the hand murmuring for him not to do so. 

"It's a child Y/N!"

He let go of your hand and moved towards the only room with an open door. You walked closely behind him. You saw a boy sitting on the floor crying as he asked for help again. 

Izzy entered the room, but before you could do the same the door closed behind him.

"IZZY!" 

"Y/N!" He yelled back, trying to open the door. 

"IZZY!!" You started to shove your fists against the door.

You heard a loud sound inside the room and Izzy saying: "Oh my God!" And you became hysterical.

You tried to open the door with all your force, shoving your fists and shoulders on the wood trying to take Izzy out of there.

"Y/N Leave!"

"I'm not leaving without you!!" You started to cry.

"Get on the fucking car and leave!!" 

Before you could reply the corridor lights started to flick and you saw someone approaching you. Turning your head to the left you saw a young man getting closer to you, illuminated by the moonlight. 

You were about to ask him for help when the lights flicked on again. He was tall and was dressed in 60s clothes, everything looked normal except for his white morbid eyes and his broken neck, his head slightly leaned to the side.

You screamed loudly this time as you started to walk back.

"Y/N!!" Izzy hit the door trying to open it.

You turned around and started running down the stairs, while still hearing Izzy calling for you. 

Running towards the main door you were stopped as a woman with a cut neck appeared in front of you.

"Where are you going, sweetie?"

You screamed again and turned left, getting in a corridor you haven't been before. 

She started to walk behind you and you saw an open room, getting inside and closing the door behind you. It was a library, with big windows. "Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck."

You heard a loud sound coming from the second floor and one of the windows breaking. 

You saw someone falling from it, and when you got closer to the glass you saw a white man with black hair and red leather pants. 

"Izzy!!" You yelled punching the glass, seeing his lifeless body laying on the grass.

Tears started to fall from your eyes as you heard the door of the Library opening.

"You are going to be with him soon, darling, don't worry."

It was the old lady.

You ran and passed through the second door of the room, ending up in another corridor.

You ran until you found two big doors separating the corridor. You opened them and were greeted with an indoor pool area. The ceiling was made of glass, just like most of the walls. You looked from one way to another but there were no other doors. You were stuck.

"It's useless to run." She reappeared behind you.

You turned around, facing her. "Please, just let me go!"

She said nothing, but took one step closer, making you take one step back. 

"Please, I didn't do anything! Just let me go!"

The couple from the dinner appeared beside her, alongside the boy with the broken neck and the bleeding woman, along with some other people you haven't seen before.

They all looked hurt in some sort of way and their eyes were white as if a cloud was hiding their true ones.

You kept walking backward as they kept walking towards you.

"Please, let me go!! Please!" Your crying was evident in your voice and you were starting to freak out.

"Please, don't hurt me!" You took one last step back and was involved in water. You fell in the pool. 

You were so scared that you forgot the pool was there, and most importantly, you forgot you didn't know how to swim.

You tried as hard as you could. Moving your legs and arms to try to get to the surface again, but it was useless. The more you moved, the deeper you got.

You opened your mouth to try to breathe but was greeted with water filling your lungs, making you choke.

You moved your hand to your neck as if the gesture would bring you some oxygen. You looked up and saw all those people circling the pool and then darkness overtook you.

You woke up gasping for air, touching your body to check you were ok. Sweat covered your forehead and most parts of your body and hot tears left your eyes.

You suddenly saw the lights turn on, realizing you were still in the hotel room. "Shh, it's okay." 

You pulled away when he touched you.

"It's okay. It's me!" You didn't look at him, so he touched your chin and lightly made you look in his direction. "It's me Y/N!"

You let go of a long breath and hugged him tightly. 

"It's ok, it was just a nightmare. You're ok!" 

"You were dead and I was dead and the pool…." You dragged on, sharing the first memories you had from your dream.

"Shh" He kissed the top of your head. "We're fine Y/N."

"She was following me…"

"As long as I'm here, no one will hurt you, okay?" He parted from you to look in your eyes. 

You nodded slowly.

Looking at the clock on your bedside table you saw it was 2:35 am.

"Let's get out of here, Izzy. Please!"

"But it's in the middle of the night, babe"

"Please, Izzy, please, let's get out of here!"

He saw how frightened you were. "Okay." He paused for a second. "Let's get dressed then."

You both got up and got dressed, throwing all your stuff back in your bags. You paused before exiting the room.

"Promise me that you will ignore anything you might hear!"

"What?"

"Promise me, Izzy!"

"Ok! I promise!" 

You grabbed his hand and dragged him down the corridor and down the stairs as fast as you could. 

Arriving at the reception you rang the bell on the table tirelessly until the old woman appeared. She was wearing a robe, but didn't look tired at all.

"What's the problem kids? Didn't like your room?"

"We want to check out!" You replied quickly. 

"Now? But it's still early!" She paused for a moment, trying to think about what to say. "Wouldn't you prefer to leave by morning?"

"No! We have to go now!"

"We serve a good breakfast here."

"I said we have to go now!" You were growing frustrated.

"Okay, but I'll have to demand the same price as if you had stayed until morning." 

"Ok! How much?"

"45 dollars."

You opened your purse, looking for your wallet, getting 50 bucks, and putting them on her desk.

She opened a drawer to get your change, but you rushed in saying she could keep it, before grabbing Izzy by the hand and leading him to the door. Trying to open it, you realized it was still locked.

"The door is locked, mam" Izzy spoke up.

"Oh, wait a minute, I'll get the keys. They might be somewhere here.” She entered a small room behind the reception and you started to stomp the ground anxiously.

"She's taking too long!"

"Calm down, Y/N!" He touched your shoulder, making you feel calmer, but you were still cautious.

"We're in a rush!" You shouted.

"Oh I'm sorry, I was not finding them." She walked calmly towards the door, using all her time to open it.

Once she finally opened, you stormed out of it, dragging Izzy with you.

"Where are the car keys?"

"Jesus! Relax, Y/N! They're here!" He took the keys out of his pant's pocket and opened the trunk of the car first.

You literally threw your bag inside and rushed to the driver's door. "I'm driving!" You extended your hand for him to put the keys on. 

"No way! You're too shaken to do so. You're gonna end up killing us."

"Fine, but be fast!" You gave in, rushing to the passenger door, seating fastly once Izzy unlocked the car.

Turning on the engine, he drove the car back to the street, driving out of the city.

"What time is it?"

He looked at his clock. "3 am"

You looked back just in time to see all the hotel lights turning on and strange people appearing at the windows.

A shiver ran down your spine as you sat still on your seat again, thanking that you were out of that place. 

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