Latest news with #RedwoodNationalPark
Condé Nast Traveler
05-08-2025
- Condé Nast Traveler
Where to Stay Near Redwood National Park
It may seem like a mouthful, but Redwood National and State Parks come as a package. There are so many spectacular reasons to visit this exceptional collection of parks—the three state parks of Prairie Creek, Del Norte, and Jedediah Smith resulted from early 20th-century protection efforts, and Redwood National Park, which encircles the state parks, was created in 1968 to further preserve the trees' natural Coast Range habitat—none the least, the plentiful lodging options surrounded by the gorgeous landscapes. Home to the tallest trees in the world, coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) can grow to nearly 270 feet tall and live for up to 2,000 years. This is their habitat, along the coast in Northern California, where foggy summer days keep them hydrated during the dry season. Walking among these natural giants is an awe-inspiring experience that cannot be replicated almost anywhere else in the world. Aside from camping among the trees, there are plenty of great places to stay near Redwood National Park to choose from. Whether you're looking for a historic Victorian inn, a romantic bed-and-breakfast, an ocean-view home, or even a forest treehouse, we've found the best spots in the area. There's so much variety that you're bound to find something right for you. Read on to find the dreamiest places to stay near Redwood National Park.
News24
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Ponytailed circus performer sets world record with a hair-raising feat
Talk about a hair-raising experience! Leila Noone has used her impressive mane of hair to make history. The circus performer from Santa Monica spent over 25 minutes suspended from a giant redwood tree by her ponytail to set a new record for the longest hair-hanging time. Her May feat, which took place in the majestic Redwood National and State Parks in the US, shattered the previous record of 23 minutes and 19 seconds set by Australian Suthakaran Sivagnanathurai in 2011. 'I saw a hair-hang act years ago and it struck something deep within me,' Leila (38) tells YOU. 'I was in awe and knew I wanted to learn. The paradox of softness and strength – hanging by hair yet floating with grace – captivated me.' The record didn't come easily. Leila trained rigorously for two years, combining physical conditioning with mental preparation. 'When I heard '25 minutes and 1 second', I was still suspended mid-air. My scalp felt on fire, but my spirit had never felt more alive. I broke through barriers I didn't know existed.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Leila Noone (@leileinoone) Her training regimen included yoga while aerial arts and her circus conditioning developed her endurance and body awareness. 'Contortion and breathwork helped refine my control and expand my limits,' she explains. Physical training was only half the battle. 'Mental preparation – meditation, visualisation and inner healing – was essential. Our bodies store emotions as tension, which can manifest as injuries. Releasing grief and forgiving the past were as critical as any strength drill.' Born in Connecticut, Leila has travelled across America, from New York to Austin to California, with each place shaping different aspects of her identity. 'I seek places and people where I feel creatively and energetically alive,' she reflects. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Guinness World Records (@guinnessworldrecords) The hair-hanging technique requires meticulous attention. 'Setting the knot, braids and wrap system properly distributes tension evenly,' Leila explains. 'If done improperly, it leads to hair loss or nerve damage. Progressive conditioning and proper technique are crucial.' She chose to hang from a redwood because the tree represents 'ancient strength, interconnectedness and wisdom'. 'It was a spiritual decision as much as a logistical one. I wanted nature to hold me.' READ MORE | McDonald's super-fan reaches 35 000 Big Macs: 'I'll eat them for the rest of my life' After her act of endurance she needed to take time to recover. 'I cried and returned to my body slowly. My community enveloped me in a loving hug and massaged my neck. It was both physical and emotional decompression.' Looking forward, Leila plans to continue creative projects and teach others to find inner strength. 'I hope this reminds people there's no single mould for strength. We can be fierce and soft, grounded and elevated. Circus can be both entertaining and soul-stirring. 'Breaking a record was never about ego. It was about embodiment – listening to a whisper from within and following through. I hope anyone reading this remembers their own wild dreams are worth chasing too,' she adds. Show Comments ()
