Sequoia National Forest

Hollywood, California — Buzzine was about to close its $100M capital funding deal, and world media conquest was just a signature away.  But I sensed something amiss on my way to the board meeting when I saw our hedge fund manager soliciting spare change at the street corner.  ”Expert financial advice for 50 cents,” read his cardboard sign.

As I’ve always been a decisive man of action, my mind immediately constructed two alternative plans:

PLAN A – Assemble our accountants, bankers, advisors and strategists, and forge a way to restructure the deal.

PLAN B – Grab the wife and some liquor and head for the hills.

On our way out of town, we would usually stop for provisions at Bristol Farms — California’s high-end gourmet specialty market.  Instead, we stopped at Trader Joe’s — America’s budget-priced gourmet specialty market.

We found a fine array of (discount-priced) European cheeses, salamis, and Parma prosciutto. The Perrin Reserve 2006 Cotes du Rhone was half of what our local supermarket charges.  Made by the Perrin brothers of Chateau de Beaucastel fame, this wine has peppery aromas and hints of black cherry and spice.  The fact that Trader Joe’s charges only seven dollars is no reason to shy away from this wonderfully drinkable bottle. I added a few bottles of Marques de Riscal 2003 Rioja.  Made mainly from Tempranillo grapes, this wine has a ruby red color, cherry and cedar aromas, flavors of chocolate and berries balanced by soft, velvety tannins.  Not only delightful on the palate, it comes in a fancy-shmancy Spanish bottle wrapped in a thin gold wire.  Where else but Trader Joe’s can you impress your girl for only thirteen dollars? Some nuts, grapes, assorted crackers, and plenty of water — we headed for the highway.

After a three-hour drive through California’s winter-misty central valley, we began our winding 7000-foot ascent into the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The next hour was to prove both exhilarating and curative, as we literally rose above the clouds, savoring some of the world’s most spectacular scenery — leaving those nasty bankers down below as we left our troubles behind.  With the Earth seemingly below us, as the road wound higher and higher, the Sequoia trees got bigger and bigger…and bigger, as we passed through the Giant Forest. Mighty trees up to 36 feet in diameter and 275 feet tall.  Some older than 3,000 years — long before the white man ever touched this soil — a time my own ancestors were pushing rocks for old Pharaoh. Life seemed to expand and take on deeper meaning.  My wife and I held hands and took it all in.  Not bad for only a four-hour drive from L.A.

It got even better as we arrived at the Wuksachi Lodge — off season, mid-week rooms started at $81. Recently constructed, this well-appointed, rustic-style inn offered 102 rooms with great views of green forests and gorgeous snow-capped mountains.  We were given a complimentary upgrade to a larger corner room with a bedroom, den, and panoramic vistas.

The sun was just setting, and Lauren and I threw off our shoes, busted out some wine and snacks and, from our cozy den, watched the magnificent hills change colors.  Warm orange, then rosy purple hues as the planet turned and day slowly faded into night.  How romantic!

(Well, well…!)

Later that evening, we went to the main lounge for some cappuccinos and free Internet, and did our daily Buzzine “business” (Buzzine is fun, not work).  Afterwards, we had a nice dinner at their restaurant.  When freshly baked bread was brought to the table by friendly yet professional staff, we knew we were at the right place.  The daily soup was potato leek, with bits of bacon and cheese.  Yum!  I had a savory pork chop with a tangy mango-papaya chutney.  Lauren tried the vegetarian pasta (with chicken).  A light garlicky sauce and varied fresh vegetables made this dish a standout.  Prices were moderate and the wine list consisted of decent Californian picks — all between $21-$40.  The 2005 Paso Creek Cabernet went perfectly with our dinner.

The next morning, after some well-prepared “choose-your-own-ingredient” omelets in the restaurant — which during the daytime also has stunning views — Lauren and I put our coats and hiking shoes on to further explore the Giant Forest and its numerous trails.

Winter was just approaching, and smatterings of snow were in the fields.  Walking through the Giant Forest and standing near these wonderful, ancient trees imparted a greater sense of majesty than when seen through the windows of a passing car.  Wildlife was abundant.  We saw deer, coyotes, and although we had been instructed by the park rangers how to behave in their presence, we didn’t see any of the black bears that populate the park.  Although they are less aggressive than their Grizzly cousins further north, one is still cautioned to give them space.

The Sequoia National Forest is filled with wonderful, scenic hiking trails.  The more adventurous can go back-packing.  The gonzo adventurous can even take a four-day trek to the 14,500-foot summit of Mt. Whitney.

Lauren and I, however, spent the afternoon strolling leisurely through the woods, hand in hand, glad to be out of the city.  We then decided to get out of town at least once a month.  (And with the great prices at the Wuksachi, it wasn’t costing us any more than remaining in Hollywood on a typical weekend — less, probably.)

We weren’t the only persons who needed to get out of town. The next day, our hike took us to Tharp’s Log — one of the park’s more unusual sights — named after Hale Tharp, the first non-Native American settler in the area, where he raised cattle and fashioned himself a cabin inside a giant fallen log.  Now that’s getting back to nature!  (Henry David Thoreau would certainly
have been pleased.)

Our stroll reached its grand finale with the incredible Moro Rock — a giant granite dome that pokes its way up and out the side of a mountain.  Four hundred stairs have been carved in the stone, leading us along a dizzying and absolutely spectacular vista’d path up to the dome’s looming precipice.  The expansive views of the surrounding mountains and valleys are hard to describe.  Suffice it say, this is mind-blowing time. Moro Rock alone was worth the visit.  Lauren and I will never forget the moment.

Whew!!

We headed back to Hollywood the next morning, fully rejuvenated and ready again to take a stab at world media conquest.  As the Sequoia National Park offers all-season attractions, we decided to return in the very near future.  Cross-country skiing in the winter, horse back riding and camping in the spring, summer and fall… Some even camp during the chilly winter, although Buzzine recommends the warm comforts (and cheery cocktail bar) of the Wucksachi Lodge.

Sequoia National Park
Wuksachi Lodge (888) 252-5757

Photos by Lauren Elfman

Visit Richard Elfman’s: CALIFORNIA’S CENTRAL COAST