Bike Jump, Big Stump Trail and Camping at Hume Lake

Summer is going great and one of the activities that the campers can try out is riding a bike off a ramp and into the pond.  Once Uncle Zac heard about this he had to come for a visit and give it a try.  Both he and Casey went off the jump multiple times, they were trying to do a backwards 360 into the water.  Zane really enjoyed watching and can't wait until he gets a little older to try it himself.

Casey

Zac

Casey

Zac

The next day we took Uncle Zac's Jeep into the National Forest to show him Buck Rock.  Zane really enjoys Jeeping with Uncle Zac because he drives "really crazy."

Taking a break and enjoying the view

Climbing the big rocks in the area

On one of Casey's weekends we explored the Big Stump trail in the National Park.  There were many stumps for Zane to climb on.  It continues to amaze me the immense size of these trees and how resilient they are.  

Checking out a burnt section of a live tree

A very large tree stump

Climbing another stump

The Mark Twain stump.  This tree was felled in 1891 and slabs were sent to museums in New York and London.  It took two men 13 days to saw it down.  

A felled Sequoia left behind.  After many trees were cut down they realized the wood was too soft to do anything with and most would shatter on impact. 

At the end of July, Zane and I joined the Johnson family(from Hartland) for camping at Hume Lake.  They had kayaks to take out on the lake.  Zane really wanted to paddle on his own, but couldn't quite figure out how to turn so he got towed around the lake.  We paddled over to a rock that you could jump off into the water.  He was very happy to be playing with the kids and spending time in the water.

Playing on a teeter totter 

Kayaking with friends

Getting towed across the lake by Mom

We finished the month by doing a small hike along Eshom Creek that runs through Hartland.  

A small waterfall

We pray that everyone is having a blessed summer.

Bodee Falls, Visit to Sunnyvale and Fourth of July

We  finally made it to Bodee Falls on our third attempt.  It was much farther up the National Forest trail than we realized. We ended up coming in from the opposite end from the first two attempts. This direction it was a little over a mile.  It was a beautiful waterfall and Zane enjoyed playing in the water.

View from the bottom

Playing in the water

Some of the pools at the top

At the end of June Zane and I headed to Sunnyvale for a long weekend visiting Uncle Zac, Auntie Jen, Keanan and Kyla.  We took Zane's bike and got to explore some of the amazing parks near their home.  This one was Zane's favorite, lots of rope obstacles to overcome.

Taking a break from riding the bikes at the skate park

On Sunday after church we went to another park that had a train, carousel and a great playground.  Zane especially enjoyed the train and playing with his cousins.

Riding the Carousel

Playing on the fire engine

Riding the Train

On Monday we went to Happy Hollow, a small zoo and amusement park that is perfect for young kids.  Zane loved the rides and didn't want to go home!

Racing scooters with Kyla

Riding in the car and ringing the bell the whole time

Brushing a goat

More rides with Keanan and Kyla

For July Fourth, we headed up into the Sequoia National Forest to Buck Rock.  This is an active fire lookout that is placed at the top of a very large rock.  It is 172 steps to the top with an elevation gain of 300'.  Plus you are starting at 8500', thankfully we are pretty used to the elevation from living at higher elevations for the past three years, but it was still a climb.  Zane did great, he has no issues with heights.  We got to talk to the Ranger who lives up there 5 days a week and she showed us all the great tools for pinpointing the location of smoke when it is spotted.

Buck Rock

At the top

Zane and Casey coming down the stairs

After leaving Buck Rock we headed to Hume Lake for a picnic and swimming.  Zane is a little fish when it comes to water, always wants to be in it no matter the color or the temp.

Zane and Casey swam to the other side of this section

Playing in the water

Summer camps are in full swing here at Hartland.  We enjoy hearing the chapel music in the morning and evening, the chapel is directly across the creek from our house.  Zane loves going to chapel and dancing to the music.  We are spending many afternoons at the pool where Zane is learning to go under water and jump off the diving board with his float vest.