"Did you go into the Redwoods in Southern Oregon on your adventurous post high school trip?"

No, but I did get to see them on the tail end of our honeymoon in 1997.  After a week in Hawaii (highlighted by food poisoning!), we returned to L.A. and then drove up the Pacific Coast for a 2nd reception.  Highlights were Mendocino and the Redwood trees.  

And yes, still play the violin but not as often these days.  Learned guitar in the early 90s and that competes for time.  Oldest son started playing at age 5, and at least one of the colleges to which he is applying would like him to play in their symphony in return for a larger financial aid package.  We'll see.  He's also a baseball player so there is a conflict in his head about what to pursue if both should be options.  Given that he's had some serious heart problems and nearly died two years ago, I might be happier if he chooses music.  I self-taught him a for a couple of years near end of grade school when his mom went through some things and suddenly flat-out refused to drive him to after-school classes.  There was a further unravelling and then a divorce so money got tight for a couple of years.  It was the only way forward.  A favorite day was when he had worked up a version of Kenny Baker/Bill Monroe's "Jerusalem Ridge" for his school talent show in 5th grade.  That show fell on the night of a baseball game.  He pulled an early performance time, went in his baseball uniform, played the song, drove to the game, and got two hits.  That was quite an evening.