I went to the mountains yesterday to show them to a friend. They're fairly close to Podunk, about an hour away. Sometimes, they are visible to the east, rising above the valley floor. Mostly, they are shrouded in clouds, or more likely, smog.
The traffic wasn't heavy, which was surprising for a beautiful, sunny morning in early June. It was even more surprising when we found out, at the park entrance, that admission was free. In honor of the National Parks' Day celebration, admission to Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park was free.
I have always enjoyed driving Park to Park, driving up from the southern end, through both parks and then down the northern end. It isn't really the northern end, either. The majority of Kings Canyon National Park is reached by backpacking on trails.
I wasn't expecting it to be so sunny and warm in the mountains. They have been shrouded in clouds all week. But the sun was shining and it was warm. Well, warm enough that the snow was melting at higher elevations and sending little waterfalls down the mountains to meet the water in the lake, behind the dam.
Boats and houseboats dotted the lake as we ascended to the park. One of the boat ramps was closed: it was under water. The hills have turned brown, but there are still wildflowers blooming.
The beauty of driving in the park is the switchbacks. Not only do you get a second chance to see what you have passed, but you can only go about 25 mph. I drove, so my friend could watch the scenery pass by.
Most of the drive was filled with stories. My telling of the stories of my adventures in those very mountains. And songs. I think I sang every camp song I could remember.....
We walked back in to see the General Sherman tree, which is NOT the tallest tree, or the widest tree, or the oldest tree, in the world. It is just the largest. How can that be? It is wider than some of the taller trees, and taller than some of the wider trees. And redwoods don't taper, so they are nearly as wide at the top as they are at the bottom.
That's a lot of tree....
We also saw the Senate and the House Group, and the President Tree. Spent hours on the trails, walking forward and looking UP, at the beauty. There was still snow on the ground, some of it fairly fresh, having fallen earlier this week. An occasional look DOWN was necessary, too.
By the time we had traveled from the southern end to the northern end of the paved road, it was nearly twilight. One last stop, for one last tree: the General Grant Tree. The Nation's Christmas Tree. I have seen it many, many times before but, not like this. Not at sunset.
As the trees stood tall and proud, and darkened by the impending night, the General Grant's canopy of green was highlighted by golden light from the setting sun. It was amazing to see!
Of course, I took a million photos of our adventures, hoping to save, and savor, the memories forever.
There were so many things I wanted to see and do, but there wasn't enough time. Some of the adventures I have planned will have to wait for another visit.
Heaven is only an hour away....
No comments:
Post a Comment