Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks

Hi all,

This will be short, but I wanted to get something out about our last couple of weeks here in CA. We have hit many National Parks, which is awesome and the last few weeks haven't failed us in the continuing awe of our country. It never ceases to amaze me how different the United States is.
Our first stop was to Sequoia National Park in the mid eastern section of CA. WOW! Let me tell you we were all amazed at how HUGE these trees were! We took an hour hike through the forest and they were everywhere and each time we saw one we would run up to it, take a picture and touch it. So amazing. I wish I could describe to you the width of these ancient trees. But, all I can do is show you some pictures. I am sure you will agree that they are magnificent.

Toley, our tree hugger! She hugs all the trees we see. I think she will eventually blog about her tree hugging self!!!



The next stop was to Yosemite which is just a little bit north. This National Park reminded us a bit of Zion as there are huge rocks that you drive right through. The cool thing about both of these parks (Zion and Yosemite) is that is could be a beautiful sunny day, which it was both times, but you get right inside and next to these huge cliffs that it feels like another planet. It is cold, dim and damp. So funny to look up and see blue sky!

The pine cones off
of these trees are
unbelievable!





Todd walking down
one of the hiking
paths. See how big
the trees are?

We had a great time in both parks taking a hike, climbing on boulders and just oohing and aahhing out the window. What a wonderful thing it is to visit so many of these National Parks.

The kids climbing on a fallen tree:

Pooh getting ready to video the huge rocks and
waterfall in Yosemite. Good thing we have such
a great videographer! It is nice to know we will
have videos as well as pictures from our trip.

Below is the waterfall that we climbed to. It was pretty thin as it was winter, but I can imagine how huge it would be in late spring! Good thing as climbing on the rocks would not have been possible with all that water.

Toley showing us how vast this place really was

Z-man making the big climb to get as close to the waterfall as possible.

Pooh and Daddy posing for mommy. It is
amazing how HUGE these rocks were, but
they made for a really fun hike.





The valley down below where we were

Kik spent most of his time looking at the GPS, making sure we were all going in the right direction. I can't tell you how many pictures we have of him doing this! It is a hazard though as he usually stumbles or is soooooo sloooowwww! Like his mother, he is not much of a dual task type of person.

FUN FACTS: Grants Tree, the 3rd biggest sequoia tree is 268Ft tall, 1,254 tons! 40 feet in diameter, 46,608 cubic feet in volume, and 1,700 years old AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy all the pics...............XO Mom