In March, John was really anticipating being done with cancer so he booked us our summer camping trip at Sunset Campground in Sequoia. You will be able to see why this campground is named the "sunset" campground by the spectacular sunset it provides.
Day 1:
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| Giant Sequoia's grow quickly from a oat like seedling. For continued survival these trees need; sunlight, soil, water, air and fire. The Fire allows for opening within the forest to provide openings for the sunlight to reach the forest floors. |
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| Aunt Kelly came along which made the trip all the more better! |
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| As early as the 1800's the Fallen Monarch has been in this position. It is believed the log was hallowed by a fire long before it fell and died. It's thought that the hallowed tree may have fallen during winter months which the snow may have cushioned the fall and allowed the hallow log to remain intact. This log has been used as shelter by the Gamlin brothers, Trout and Carrington, temporary horse stable for the U.S. Calvary, and the Native Americans during summer travels. |
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The hole in the middle of the Fallen Monarch-used as a chimney vent for the sheltered folk.
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| Joshy photobombing the picture. |
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| Our first day as we explored General Grant tree. |
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| There is something amazing to be said about a large forest. |
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| John appeasing my request to pose like this for the photo. |
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| Inside that hallowed tree from the picture above. |
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| "Oh son's of mine, there is so much to this world that is so grand and great, our little eyes cannot fathom the creations of the Lord." |
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| Kaleb was in his element of jumping and lunging. He could leap off throughout the woods from bolder to tree log to bolder. |
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The worlds 3rd largest tree, with a 40.3 ft diameter base (larger than General Sherman). It's as tall as a 27 story building. Wider at the base than three-lane freeway and weighing more than 700 cars. General Grant has lived for nearly twenty centuries.
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| General Grant. So magnificent. |
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| I just needed a blanket and good book to find a nice a quiet spot among these trees to read. |
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| The Gamlin Cabin-named after the brothers in 1872 to handhewn the cabin from sugar-pine logs. This cabin has been used to house the brothers who originally built it and to store hay and grain for the United States Cavalry (who were the first protectors of General Grant National Park in 1891). In 1892 the cabin was moved here to the Grant Grove Visitor Center. |
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| A fire damaged tree. |
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| A little chipmunk friend we met along the way. These little critters are fast, hence the racing stripe. |
Back at the campground we witnessed an amazing sunset. This picture doesn't do God's workmanship any justice.
Day 2:
I've taken a new liking to hiking. I know, me? Yes. I have enjoyed the small hikes we've taken locally, and was aiming to increase the stamina of the boys to venture onto a hike like this one that we took at Panoramic Point and on to the look out tower. It was a total of 5 miles and the boy's, with some grumbling and complaining, completed it well. Needless to say, it was a beautiful hike in every possible way. We didn't see any wild life, but saw so many beautiful butterflies and wild flowers and fern.
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| Looking over Sequoia and Kings Canyon, Hume Lake is that little lake below. |
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| There was a ranger stationed at the look out tower who gave us some information on the surrounding area. He let us sign the visitor log too. We were the third to visit that day. |
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| Josh explaining why there are get booties on the wooden chair. |
A Panoramic view from the watchman's tower.
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| Beautiful wild flowers. |
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| Dad tying Josh's shoe. |
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| Aunt Kelly being an amazing nature guide. |
Later that day, back at camp....
John taught the boy's to play poker this trip, and oh, did they play poker (insert eye rolling emoji here).
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| Aunt Kelly making THE best meal of the trip, carne asada tacos. |
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| The boy's don't realize to the extent of what a great dad they truly do have. He is patient, teaching them all that he can, he rarely brushes them off (as I do many times), he's careful and is so involved with them. Lovingly he shows them, and me, how to be a good man, a good camper, and good steward of God's nature. He is an amazing gift, many times I'm still baffled that I snagged him to be mine. |
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| Learning how to start a fire. |
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| We had these incredible boulders to jump and play on by our camp ground. A boy's paradise, a mom's heart-attack. |
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| Another amazing sunset that can't even be captured by a lens. |
Day 3:
The next day we went to Hume Lake which was so serene and beautiful! Mostly everyone was at church so we were able to have a little quiet time among the ducks, still waters and mountain view.
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| Boy's talking about boy stuff. |
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| There's something spectacular about watching these boy's learn from the best fisherman they know and try their best to mimic him. |
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| Aunt Kelly and I enjoying the quietness of the lake. |
Shortly after, we ventured off to a small lagoon to fish, have lunch and enjoy the day.
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| What they're talking about I do not know. But I sure do love capturing them just sitting there. |
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| Love that smile. |
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| One of my favorite pics from this day. The boy's are on their own, casting and reeling in. Being still and enjoying God's beautiful creation. |
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| And a quick visit to the falls on the way back to camp. |
Day 4:
The next day we packed up and headed south to Sequoia National Park. We had to stop and take this nostalgic family pic. I have one from when I was a child with my family.
Next adventure was to see General Sherman, the biggest tree in all the World. This brick outline is the circumference of the base of General Sherman tree.
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| The boy's with General Sherman tree right smack in the middle of them. |
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| General Sherman standing 274 ft tall and 102.6 ft circumference. |
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| Beetle Rock |
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| Those two twigs below on the right are my boys. |
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| Comparisons to help the children realize just what giants the Sequoia's are. #homeschooling |
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| Buttress Tree fell on June 3, 1959. Sequoia's fall when there is no wind, only a shallow root systems weakened by fire and wet soil, due to heavy snow. "One witness described loud pops as the roots snapped, than a roar like a freight train and an avalanche combined..." |
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| The famous tunnel log! Fell December 4, 1937 tunnel 8 ft high and 17 ft wide. |
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Kaleb spotted this buck just as we were driving home. He wasn't very concerned with spectators, only enjoying his lunch.
We had a wonderful vacation. Dirt and hard flooring were only good enough for four days. We are happy to be home. What John Muir (1877) says is true..."In every walk in nature one receives far more than he seeks." |
