Our Daily Dead

379.1 and counting. Tall tree hunters Chris Atkins and Michael Taylor recently discovered the new world record holder for tall trees. Hiking about the remote corners of Redwood National Park these two naturalists discovered three Sequoia Sempervirens trees that appeared to be taller than the (now) previous tall tree record holder. The aptly named Stratosphere Giant held the record at 370 feet (and still growing) until the newly discovered trees could be measured.

Of course one does not simply get out the ol’ measuring laser and sight in the highest leaf. The only accurate way to measure such a giant is to wander up to the tippy-top and drop your measuring tape down to the ground. But climbing in this case had to bide a bit until the nesting season for the endangered marbled murrelets was done and over. Only after was the measuring accomplished and the truth known. 379.1 feet…and counting.

Dr. Stephen Sillett Professor and Kenneth L. Fisher Chair in Redwood Forest Ecology at Humboldt State University - a recognized expert in these trees - verified the measurement.

A couple interesting points about Hyperion: one is that unlike other Coastal Redwoods giants of its kind Hyperion is located on a steep slope rather than in a creek bottom. And second it seems that Hyperion escaped the chainsaws that used to haunt its neighborhood. Thank the Carter administration for redrawing the National Park boundaries to include Hyperion’s neck of the woods.

~~The ODDones for OurDailyDead.com

Technorati tags: Chris Atkins, Michael Taylor, Sequoia Sempervirens, Stratosphere Giant, marbled murrelets, Stephen Sillett, Humboldt State University, Coastal Redwoods

Pinochet is dead at 91. And if you want a topical double-feature try Z and of course Missing.

Norman Livermore Jr. has died at age 95. The happy people at the LA Times who wrote the article labeled Mr. Livermore “…Gov. Ronald Reagan’s environmental conscience”. Not a bad epitaph really. Mr. Livermore was quite the contrast. He was a Pacific Lumber Company executive turned California secretary of state for resources in Governor Regan’s Cabinet from 1967 to 1975. But in his Big Brother role he helped create California’s Redwood National Park and stop the Northern California ‘what have you been smoking?’ project titled the Dos Rios Dam. (You may read about the Dos Rios fight in the book The River Stops Here.)

If you’ve never been to the Redwood National Park, put it on your agenda. Awesome. Words fail to describe the size and magnificence of the Sequoia Sempervirens - you must see them yourself. Go get as close as possible and bring about 15 of your friends. Linked hand to hand you might just be able to form a complete circle around one of these trees. While your in the area jaunt down to Fern Canyon, or head over to Stone Lagoon, or into Orick, or stop by Patrick’s Point. And if your son or daughter are nearing that age toss in a visit to Humboldt State University and a stop at the Humboldt Brewery (which back in the day was a bowling alley, a Mexican restaurant and tried to be a music (we do so miss the band Desperate Men) venue for awhile). Well at least stopping in WAS a good idea. Last we heard the place was shuttered. Alas.

And if the Sempervirons doesn’t fill you up, head southeast to see the Sequoia Gigantea, then tromp the woods in John Muir’s shadow through the Range of Light. And try this: lay down on your back under one of these giants and take in the view.

Policy Maker News
Paranoia strikes deep Into your life it will creep It starts when you’re always afraid…The City Council of Greenleaf, Idaho passed an ordinance in November to require nearly all residents to keep a gun at home in case the town becomes overrun by people relocating after Gulf Coast storms.

Some Questions Answered Department
Get yourself over to Dan’s place at Infospigot: The Chronicles and read through his writeup/summary about James Kim and family.

Technorati Tags: Z, Missing, Ronald Reagan, Pacific Lumber Company, California, Big Brother, Redwood National Park, Dos Rios Dam, River Stops Here, Sequoia Sempervirens, Fern Canyon, Stone Lagoon, Orick, Patrick’s Point, Humboldt State University, Desperate Men, John Muir, Range of Light, James Kim

We decided that today was a good day for being Paranoid, or more correctly, being more paranoid than is ODDly typical. That said we wanted to be sure and share our worries with you so you too could ride the Paranoid Bus - plenty of seats really. Face it, we are in danger. That should be a We, not we. The sky is falling albeit slowly and its name is Apophis. No, not the Apophis from the Stargate SG-1 show, but Apophis the Asteroid. We have a genuine GodSmack situation here with the distinct possibility that Apophis will strike the Earth. Enough to bring out the paranoia in anyone.

But we can’t live our lives under the constant cloud of paranoia now can we? Thus we should consider other cheery news - as reported by the Seattle Times (and countless others) NASA will setup housekeeping at the south pole of the moon. White picket fences are optional on the lots we understand. Excelsior! We’re Going to the Moon! Excelsior!

Oh, one thing we forgot. You have time to really, really ramp up your worries vis a vis Apophis. The likely close encounter won’t occur until 2036 or so. That said will fully authorize you to use this situation to your advantage - ask for a doomsday raise, or perhaps an extended Afternoon Delight romp.

Ah, bugger it…Don’t Worry, Be Happy

~~The ODDones for OurDailyDead.com

Technorati tags: Paranoid, Apophis, Stargate SG-1, GodSmack, Excelsior! We’re Going to the Moon! Excelsior!, Afternoon Delight, Don’t Worry, Be Happy