Sequoia National Park

Ash Mountain Entrance

We decided to explore Sequoia from the south to the north.

After the visitor center, the first thing you see is
Tunnel Rock but you can't drive
under it anymore. 

Thankfully, we haven't seen any bears on the trails.

We stopped at Hospital Rock to walk around and found

some petroglyphs.

The roads are so windy you can't go fast anyway.

Sentinel

You just look up in amazement.

Can you believe, years ago there was a 

restaurant beneath these beauties?

Most Sequoia have had some fire damage. 

 Their thick, fibrous, bark helps protect the tree.

Remember Smokey?

Ed by Ned are the names given to these trees
by John and James Jordan in 1906.

It is two trees that started out separately

but grew together at the base over time.
We saw lots of "twins" in Sequoia National Forest.

Amazing!

This isn't even one of the largest Sequoia.

People used to drive on top and take photos.

Vintage postcard showing a car on top.

You can't pass up the Tunnel Log!

No budging Hanging Rock.

Breath taking views.

Along the trail we saw another deer

and a great view of Moro Rock.

If you focus you can see hikers at the top.

General Sherman is so tall it takes two photos.

This tree is not the tallest or widest, but the 

overall volume makes it the biggest tree on Earth.

103 feet in circumstance and 275 feet tall.

It is beautiful to see snow on the mountain tops.

Thanks to everyone who sent me birthday wishes!

 Scott pampered me all day. Since we are in California, I had 

to go to a few wineries and check out their tasting rooms. 

Then we went out and had a delicious dinner. 

Steak for me and salmon for Scott.

Life is good!

  Another beautiful sunset from the deck. 

We are so thankful for this opportunity to travel 

and we still say, "Pinch me" because we are not sure it is real.

"Walk in the Sequoia woods at any time of year and you will 

say they are the most beautiful and majestic thing on earth. "

John Muir.

Kings Canyon National Park

About an hour southeast of Yosemite is 

Kings Canyon National Park.

After fifty slow mountain hugging miles

 we get to the bottom.

 The South Fork Kings River was fierce and powerful.
There has been many warnings this year
not to get into the water.
Sadly, people don't listen and several have died. 

The plan was to view Roaring River Falls but when we

got there they were blasting within the hour. Since it was

off limits we had to turn around and head back up.

 Boyden Cave was also closed. We don't know if it was 

because of the high and torrent water.  

 It was a beautiful sunny day and we enjoyed the scenery.

The view from the top is stunning. 

Kings Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the U.S. 

at 8,200 feet. It took us several hours to explore. 

  We will go to Sequoia National Park another day.

"All that the sun shines on is beautiful, so long as it is wild."
John Muir

Love is in the Air!

Sunday, May 21^st was our 

34^th wedding anniversary!

What an incredible place to celebrate.

 Bridalveil Fall

    Ribbon Falls is the longest single-drop waterfall 

in North America at 1612 feet.

California has been dealing with drought for five years
but this year because of record-breaking 

snow pack, the waterfalls are back.

We counted 21 falls or full creeks in one day. 

 Most visitors love to see the waterfalls, 

but if you zoom in you can see 

   others come to rock climb!

The extra moisture has also increased the wildflowers.

We went down a one lane road to Swinging Bridge,
 over the roaring Merced River.

It was a little scary
 especially when Scott is bouncing behind me.

 Merced River

Even though there are thousands of people flocking here 

and parking can be crazy, you can still find some quiet
areas to listen to the birds and take in the beauty.

  Off the beaten path we found some deer.

 Yosemite Falls is one of the tallest in the world
and the tallest in North America at 2,425 feet!

Lower Yosemite Falls.

 Scott has been retired for over three years, but he still
had to check and see if he printed this phone book.

It is amazing that you can still find one, 

let alone three booths!

Heading to Glacier Point we didn't think 

we would see this much snow!

 Yosemite Falls and Overhanging Rock from

Glacier Point.  

Fabulous views from 7,214 feet.

Royal Arches and North Dome

Tenaya Canyon and Half Dome 8842 ft.

The top fall is Nevada Fall 594 ft.

and the lower is Vernal Fall 317 ft.

 We planned on hiking Sentinel Dome Trail until

we came to the sign that says, "Yosemite N.P. 

recommending you NOT hike on this trail - 

hazardous, deep snow, trail not visible."

Well, you know, we couldn't help but go
and explore a little. We could hear
water rushing and trudged to the stream.
Every step was difficult.

Since we had some extra time we went back to Tunnel View.

I tried some different features on the camera.

Love the waterfalls!

"Roses are red
Dirt is brown
Let's go hiking
and get out of town."
Sean Rodgers