Three of Three - amazing and awe-inspiring!

So much of going new places is learning new things. That seems obvious I'm sure, but coming from the East there have been a lot of surprises.  I have been amazed to learn about the higher elevations of the western states, the multitude of spring flowers, and the familiar and not so familiar resident birds, the wide open spaces almost everywhere we have been, and now with warmer temperatures, the number of rattlesnakes I need to watch for while hiking.  We have been thrilled with the elk, the mule deer and the antelope. In addition, I have been surprised to see many ravens and robins. Another new awareness has been the tall trees at high elevations.  On many peaks, tree line seems to be opposite from home.

After our visit with Marmot, early Easter Monday we ventured onto the dreaded freeway to begin the journey to Sequoia NP. Quickly, I learned that we needed to drive high into the Sierras to find these giants.  Up and down and in and out we went on these mountain roads with many hairpin curves.

The Sequoias only grow at elevations between 3500 and 8000 feet. We learned that the usual way they die is from falling over.  The bark on these trees is so thick that they are naturally protected from invading insects and even fire.  In fact, fire is an necessary part of the life cycle since the seeds need the heat to open and generate.

I had seen a television special about these trees many years ago and couldn't wait to be in their presence!

I had to wait another day!  We camped in a site that night that was filled with Acorn Woodpeckers and squirrels and mule deer and a warning about the bears.  The brown box beside the van was the bear box.

    Mule deer cleaning the grill.

    Acorn woodpecker busy in the hole of the broken branch.

    Heading for the forest of giants!

   We found them!

                                    

General Sherman is thought to be the oldest and largest tree on earth.  The picture is only the bottom fourth of the tree.

     Of course, we also found a heart on one of the trees!

Heading north, we camped the night before going into Yosemite NP.  It is quite close in miles from Sequoia and Kings Canyon.  We had a nice surprise visit from some California Quail.

Now, another place I couldn't wait to see and visit.  Yosemite !  By the way, those who know of my National Park Passport book can only imagine how many new postmarks I have now,  smile!

There is little to say about the spectacular views of the granite monoliths and mountain meadows of Yosemite.  We loved each water fall, visited the Yosemite Village in the valley, saw Ansel Adams gallery, and marveled at each turn of the River that shaped this land.

    The "next" sight was El Capitan and it took away my breath. 

    The famed Half Dome.

    In the village, I spotted this Steller's Jay foraging in a ranger's front yard.

     Snow Flower

   Wild Lupine

Leaving these amazing experiences in Sequoia, Kings Canyou and Yosemite, we passed through one of many national forests we had visited, and felt like we had seen so much of the natural world in the western states that had only been words before.  

Now we can say we felt it, and saw it, and now call it "home" in our memory.