Sequoia National Forest

I think we were trying to pack everything possible into this trip. I guess I figured since we were going to be in Visalia for three weeks, there was time to do a bunch. Mama Tess drove us up to see General Sherman one evening. It's such a beautiful drive, and one of my very favorite places. I am always awe-struck at the size and beauty of the redwood trees. It's such a peaceful place, I could live up there. I think the only thing keeping me from setting up residence in that beautiful setting are the bear claw marks we saw as soon as we got on the trail, the bear boxes all over the place, and the signs that say to hide the food in your car before leaving it. Yikes! I wish I'd taken a picture of the claw marks we saw in the asphalt trail. It's enough to put the fear in you. Of course, I put on a brave face for the kids. Josh was right at home in the woods. There's no stopping that kid...even getting car sick and vomiting a few minutes before.

It was a beautiful drive. Perhaps with a few too many turns for Josh's liking, though.

Tunnel Rock is before you actually get up into the Giant Forest. It's closed off now, but visitors used to be able to drive their vehicles under it.

Here we are before our hike to General Sherman.

This is a cross-section of a giant redwood tree trunk. Josh was off wandering along the trail. He didn't want to hold still for the picture, when there was exploring to do.

That's General Sherman behind us. The top part of the tree is dead, but the base continues to grow. It's the largest living organism in the world. General Grant is about an hour away in the forest, and is the tallest living organism in the world. I have yet to see that one. Is this a cute pose or what? I was cracking up. I couldn't believe I got them both to pose like this.

Josh and I are standing in the burn scar of a tree. This might give you a better appreciation for how large these trees really are.

It was getting pretty dark by the time we started to make our way back to the car, so the pictures are getting progressively darker. There was a tree that had fallen across the trail, and a hole has been cut for visitors to pass through. Carly was a little uneasy about it at first, but as long as she had Mommy and Mama Tess, she was fine. Josh on the other hand, could have done the whole trail alone. He has no fear.

Mama Tess is exploring with Josh, showing him how to put sticks into the little holes between the rocks. You wouldn't believe the sounds of amazement and awe that came out of that little boy, just with looking at rocks.

The sun was setting fast, and we were walking as quickly as our legs would carry us. The poor kids were worn out by the end of it, and Carly was getting pretty nervous in the dark. We finally made it to the car, and Mama Tess and I committed to each other then and there that we'd be long distance walking buddies. Not that we'd walk long distances together, but that we'd both start a walking program in an effort to get into better shape. Now that I've committed us publicly, we'd better keep it up!