Off to Sequoia NP

Chris and I got up at 7am, cleaned up and got ready to leave. Headed over to the BF room. Weak BF, but we had a few donuts, tea and took some bananas for lunch. Loaded up with gas and head over to Sequoia National Park (SNP). State Highway 180 East is the direct route. About an hour later we entered SNP. They are doing a lot of road construction in SNP this summer. We had to wait several times for the road crews. The road is down to one lane and you take turns following the pilot truck passed the road repairs. We head over to the Grant Grove Visitors Center. We got our maps and decided to walk the General Grant Grove first. It is not a difficult walk, but both Chris and I had sore knees from the killer hike yesterday in Yosemite NP. We completed the loop and got the photos we wanted. The Fallen Monarch and the Lightning Trees are interesting as well as the standing giant Sequoias. After General Grant we had a choice: take the 2 hour loop over to the Cedar Grove Area or head South, hit the General Sherman area then head for Vegas. We both voted NO on a 2 hour drive to see more of the same trees. Off we go to Lodgepole Visitors Center, then over to the General Sherman area.

We cheated a bit and used the handicap parking area, much closer to the trees. I have a handicap placard from years ago when I had a broken leg. My knee was hurting enough to justify using it. We toured the General Sherman area, got our photos and I limped back to the car. Chris and I agreed to call it a day and head for home. We waited almost an hour for road construction on State Highway 198 exiting SNP. We linked up with 99 and stopped in Bakersfield for gas. Took 58 through Tehachapi, home of one of the largest wind farms in Calif. Hundreds of wind turbines spinning makes for a nice photo.

We took 58 until it hooked up with I-15 at Barstow, got home about 7pm. Our 3 day adventure to the Calif. NPs was over.