Bicentennial Tree (Warren National Park, WA)

Bravery is NOT the needless risking of ones own well-being. Nor is a needless risk necessarily an act of stupidity.

It is out twelfth day on the road. We have covered over 4000Km. Today marks the first day of real rain. It pours, but only in spurts. Strong, gusting wind faithfully accompanies each of these downpours.

Usually I can embrace the rain, but as I stare up the 75m comprising the Bicentennial Tree I find it most unwelcomed. Although the rain and wind do not dampen the radiance of this Karri tree, the sign at its base announces in bold white letters that “climbing in rainy or windy conditions is extremely dangerous.”

Stranding at the base of this beast of a beauty I take stalk of my predicament. Should I adhere to the sign’s wisdom or climb the seemingly thousands of slippery iron rods that constitute a spiral staircase to the tree’s lookout. There is no real choice. I step upon the first of the iron rods. Today I am a traveler.