Our local paper has a column once a week that consists of short reprinted articles from past papers. Shortly after we got here, it included a story about the origin of the Wonder Stumps. I told Michael about it, because we'd discussed this question already, but he had heard something different at work. We kept meaning to go in search of the Wonder Stump/s, but hadn't.
Christmas Eve day was sunny and pretty nice, so we decided to begin our search. Michael found an article from the Daily Triplicate's sister paper, the Curry Pilot, about a reporter, new to the area, who went searching for the Wonder Stump without success. It contained more information and seemed to clear up the question of whether there is more than one. It also included an old photo and vague location, so we thought we'd be able to find it.
As it turns out, we couldn't. It didn't matter, though, because we had a beautiful drive through second growth forest on Wonder Stump Road and saw gorgeous old-growth stumps left from logging a hundred or more years ago. In particular, we found this cluster of burned (very tall) stumps. I spied them from the road and they are unbelievably massive and beautiful.
Michael in front of the fire cave at the base of one stump, in the "front".
Michael and Darcy in another fire cave in the "back".
Michael and Darcy, again for scale, because it's hard to appreciate how massive these things are even when you're standing in front of them.
Looking up from the base of one of the stumps. It's hard to tell if these were logged or burned as living trees (as described in the first article), but redwoods don't burn easily. They just seem like very tall "stumps" for logging.We're hoping to find the Wonder Stump one day. In the meantime, there are some historic and modern photographs of it here (you'll have to scroll down to the part about the "Del Norte Wonder Stump) and here.
3 comments:
I can't even imagine the hilarity that the Glore Boys (with Special Guest Star Cousin Jay) could have with "Wonder Stump" if the mood hit 'em.
Does the mood actually have to hit them, or is it just always there?
Ladies, I think it is just always there. Don't forget about Hank. He may be 16 months but he is one of them. LOL. He says "Boobies."
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