Sue-meg State Park is located along California’s rugged North Coast, within the traditional homeland of the Yurok people. For thousands of years, the Yurok lived in harmony with the land and ocean, building villages along the coast and rivers. The park’s name, “Sue-meg,” reflects the original Yurok name for the area, a name officially restored in 2021 to honor the region’s Indigenous heritage.
One of the park’s most interesting features is the recreated Yurok village, complete with traditional plank houses, a sweat lodge, and a dance pit. These redwood structures were built using ancient techniques, with hand-split boards and cedar bark roofs, designed to withstand the coastal climate.
Hiking the park with my instrument and playing the alphorn at different places felt like a fitting tribute to the deep cultural roots of the place. Just as the Yurok used sound, ceremony, and nature to connect with their surroundings, the alphorn echoes a similar respect for landscape and tradition. Enjoy the earthy sounds of the piece Moos-Ruef by Jürg Sommer, as it echoes through the foggy woods and blends with the ocean breeze .
A heartfelt thank-you to the kind woman who generously filmed and took photos during our hike, your presence helped capture the spirit of the day. And to the many curious and friendly visitors who stopped to chat, thank you all for making it a perfect day of connection, music, and shared wonder and I am wishing everyone happy and save travels.