Destination 3: Sequoia National Park

Before diving into this latest trip, a quick note on the blog. I am obviously format challenged in terms of making this thing look good (any tips would be appreciated) but I've received a bit a feedback on length. Apparently there are those out there in our adoring audience that don't like to read 10,000 words on each and every trip we take (a certain girl working out in NYC that won't be named). Even the wife - new code name Ms. Betray Us - has commented that no one would want to read so dang much. ouch. I want you all to know I am crying on the inside. You need to remember you are talking to the record holder (I think) for thesis length back at Bates College...why use one word when 10 work so much better?? :)

Ok, so Sequoia, our final stop in California before heading out to New England. Dual purpose for this trip: communing with the big trees one last time and testing out our backpacking gear we've purchased for our treks in New Zealand. We had great weather for two hikes - one up Big Baldy Ridge for mountain views and the other through Redwood Canyon, site of the largest remaining Sequoia grove. A note to the uninitiated - hiking with 10-20 lbs on your back above 8000 feet is a whole different world than regular hiking.

Jules and I at the beginning of the first hike...

Jules at the top...

Now the second hike:

Julie with an enormous pine cone...

Just in case you were wondering just how big the trees are...here is a fallen one with me standing next to it.

Or an 'average' sequoia - look closely and you can see I am holding two hiking poles each over 4 feet long.

Click on the picture above and see if you can find Julie...