Adventures in the Big Trees

Well I decided to do the blog thing.  It's the easiest way for me to post updates on our family and the adventures we embark on.  Since we just moved to a new state, we have so many things to explore including our new place of residence, Hartland Christian Camp.

In the first month here we have headed up into the Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Park multiple times.  It is a just a short drive down the road if you don't mind a rough high clearance road!  If you go the long way and stay on the paved roads it takes over an hour.  About four miles down the road from our home is the first giant Sequoia tree at about 15 feet across at the base.  Then you head into the first grove of Sequoias, they are truly magnificent trees.

                                                         Giant Sequoia tree

We explored the Grant Grove, home to the General Grant tree, the second largest tree by volume in the world.  There are many large trees in the grove and a few that have fallen over and you can walk through them.  One has been down for over 150 years and the military used it as a stable for a short time.

                                                           Inside a fallen tree

                                                  Family photo in front of the General Grant tree

                                                          General Grant Tree

On Casey's birthday we hiked to the top of Big Baldy.  A 4.4 mile round trip to the top of a large granite dome at 8,209 feet elevation.  Zane loved climbing all over the rocks and hiked himself to the top and rode in the carrier part of the way back down.  We also checked out Buck Rock fire lookout, but it was closed for the season(and adventure for the spring).  It is located on top of a large rock with a fun stair route to get to the top.

                                                  At the top of Big Baldy

                                             Buck Rock fire lookout


We are also settling into our new home and Casey into his new job.  Zane is enjoying his new friends and is constantly outside playing, so many sticks to play with and holes to dig.

Until next time.  May God bless you with a wonderful Thanksgiving.