10/25/2024
The Old Patriarch Tree
This tree (on the right) is estimated to be about 1,200 years old. There is no trail to it, and it's a 1 mile walk away from the road. I had a fun time getting to this legend, trying to time the walk in between thunderstorms. I still got soaked on the way back though. I'll post more about this when I post my full article on my web site.
Just like most people, I thought about how crazy it was to see something so old. In order to give you a sense of time, I looked up some events to follow its growth.
0 years old (around 824 AD) – The tree takes root during the Early Medieval Period. Charlemagne's descendants are ruling the Carolingian Empire, and Vikings are expanding into new territories like present-day Russia, Greenland, and even North America.
523 years old (1347-1351) – The Black Plague sweeps across Europe when the tree is 523 years old, reducing the population by up to one-third and significantly altering society.
668 years old (1492) – When the tree reaches 668 years, Christopher Columbus sails to the Americas, sparking the Age of Exploration and transforming the course of global history.
952 years old (1776) – At the age of 952, the tree stands as the American colonies declare independence from Britain. The resulting Revolutionary War leads to the formation of the United States.
1061 years old (1885) – By 1061, Karl Benz invents the first practical gasoline-powered automobile, initiating the car era and dramatically transforming transportation and industry.
1145 years old (1969) – As the tree celebrates 1,145 years, humanity takes its first steps on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission, an achievement that expands human exploration beyond Earth.
Kinda wild to think about. I also have a panoramic shot I'll share later.
