A Land of Giants! Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are fabulous!

The landscape testifies to nature's size, beauty, and diversity – huge mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, vast caverns, and the world’s largest trees!

The two parks lie side by side in the southern Sierra Nevada, east of the San Joaquin Valley. Activity varies by season and elevation, which ranges from 1300' to 14,494'.

We entered the valley and were met with clear blue skies, sun-kissed mountains and blazing heat. We like to avoid extreme temps so we headed to higher ground!

The park roads offer a challenging drive with little or no road shoulder. Shear cliffs and hairpin switchbacks soon have an effect on the most iron stomach! There is also the road repair that requires a little timing. One section only allows cars through once an hour, at the top of the hour, so you don't want to miss your turn.

When we arrived at the forest we were rewarded with beautiful grassy meadows, cool shade, gentle breezes and low humidity. Immediately our eyes turned skyward in awe! Our jaws dropped at such a sight - those amazing tees - the Sequoia! It is hard to imagine such a species exists and you really cannot grasp it until you see them first-hand.

The ancient groves were protected in the mid-1800s, thanks to a couple of brilliant naturalists. Boy,are we ever glad they realized the devistating effect man was having on the forest and that they were able to do something about it.

The Sequoia can survive for thousands of years and have no predator - except Man. If you've been inspired by the magnificent Redwood forests (also beautiful and fabulous) you will be in awe of the Sequoia. There aren't enough words to describe them, but I'll try. They are fantastic, fabulous, amazing, inspiring, incredible, awesome, beautiful, majestic, towering, soulful and stately. The trees heighten your imagination and stir deep emotions from the very moment you lay eyes on them.

Yosemite National Park Day 3

Today we headed to the Park early and started our hike down the Glacier Point trail to the Valley Floor. Highlights came early as we enjoyed seeing a black bear in the meadow on our way to the trail. We hoped we'd get an opportunity to see wildlife and we weren't disappointed. He was the only one, but at least we got to see him in the wild...not some zoo! Our hike (all downhill) was a little over 5 miles in all, at a steep incline and constant switchbacks. All the way down Joe kept talking about how he wished he were going up. By the time we reached the car we'd changed our tune. There is no way I'm doing that hike uphill! If Joe wants to tackle it I'll meet him at the top (in the car!) We headed straight for the Ahwahnee Lodge for lunch. Rainbow Trout crusted in Almonds..pan sauteed...with orzo and veggies...YUM! It was delicious and we were starved. Then it was time for the long drive back to the hotel...sweaty, tired, and covered in dirt and dust from the trail. A/C sure is nice....

Black Bear in the Meadow enroute to Glacier Point Trailhead














Yosemite Falls from the Glacier Point Trail














View of the Yosemite Valley from the Tunnel at the South Entrance to the Park














Half Dome from the trailhead at Glacier Point

Yosemite National Park Day 2

It was another glorious day at the park. Lots of people enjoying a summer visit. Can't imagine how crazy it will be over the 4th of July weekend.

We started the day with a short hike to Yosemite Falls to enjoy the view and snap a few photos along the trail. Next we were off in the car for a drive to the Tuolumne Meadows.

The drive was long and the roadways were crowded. The narrow, winding road is undergoing repairs further slowing the pace. Open only during the summer, our drive took us to elevations over 9,000 feet!

I really feel the effects of the altitude. Uphill climbs leave me sucking air and my legs just didn't have any energy. We managed a short walk to stretch our legs, up a somewhat elevated trail, but after 30 minutes I'd had enough! My legs were like rubber bands all the way down and never really seemed to recover.

Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite Falls at a distance. Stunning and spectacular.
















Joe on the Mirror Lake Trail






















I especially enjoyed the reflection in the pool of water on the Mirror Lake Trail. A great trail, not overly crowded and amazing views. The weather was lovely. Who could ask for anything more?

Washington, Seattle - Our Hell's Kitchen!

After dinner it's clean-up time. Here we are clowning around in the Kitchen. Gordon Ramsey's got nothin' on us!




















Nancy and Eimhin working on Lisa's window covering project!

Washington, Seattle - Our Newest Graduate!

It is a time for Celebration! Our newest graduate, Lisa, receiving her degree from Seattle University. Way to go Girl! Hard work, determination and grit for sure.

Oregon, Smith Rock State Park

Smith Rock State Park in Terrebonne, Oregon is a sanctuary of majestic rock spires that rise above the winding Crooked River in central Oregon's high desert. It is an internationally renowned destination for rock climbing. The appearance of the park is a result of the cumulative forces of vulcanism and the erosive power of running water. Several miles of developed trails access the top of Misery Ridge and parallel the rock climbing areas. Wildlife is abundant. We were able to view an active Bald Eagle nest. There are ten nests in the park, all used by one nesting pair.

We've visited Smith Rock before, and returned for the wonderful hiking. Starting at the Chute, near the parking area, we headed straight for Misery Ridge (appropriately named) to the summit. Just past the Summit is Monkey Face, a popular rock climb. We worked our way down from the summit rocks behind Monkey face and connected with Mesa Verde Trail and River Trail. We spent two and a half hours climbing up and down the spectacular rocks, and hiking along the river. We watched rock climbers dangling from ropes on the cliff walls. I scratch my head on that one....but they seem to be enjoying themselves. We enjoyed a marvelous day, clear skies, sunny and cool - perfect for hiking.

Oregon, Bend - Visit from the Swans

We're back in Bend for a second visit. After checking into our hotel room, we heard honking from the patio door. As I peered out up came a big beautiful swan, then her buddy! They were looking for a hand-out which we happily provided. They stayed around looking for more, but they finally lost interest in us.

Oregon, Crater Lake National Park

We arrived in Klamuth Falls and decided to take the drive to Crater Lake NP. It is hard to believe how different the weather can be when there is a reasonably small elevation change.

The amounts of snow on the ground in the park are phenomenal! It was quite cloudy, cold, spitting rain, and the piles of snow drifted around the Visitor Center was huge! We presumed the weather would allow for a nice hike around Crater Lake, but we were wrong. I cannot recall the last time we were here, but it must have been in August or September because it was dry, clear and almost hot. Completely different today....we'll have to come back in the fall.

Nevada, Great Basin National Park

This little National Park is tucked away in the eastern part of Nevada. You will seldom find noisy crowds, long lines or traffic jams. The Park is filled with High peaks over 13,000 feet in elevation, cool high-desert streams, caves, hiking trails and amazing star studded night skies. This area is so remote, there is no light pollution to ruin an amazing display of the Milky Way! Few people will ever have an opportunity to see this constellation. We weren't here after dark, but it would be an amazing place to enjoy such a wonderful display of the stars.

We enjoyed a nice drive to 10,000 feet elevation of Wheeler's Peak. Up top we were amazed at the snow that is still here! We are told that here in Great Basin there is a possibility of snow at any time of the year.

We didn't have time to take the cave tour, but if you like being underground there are amazing formations to view.

As you drive through the Basin, long stretches of highway go on for miles in a straight line.....you can see amazing distances here. It is a fascinating region.