California Day 2

Our 2nd full day in the National Park started off with a trip to the Giant Forest Museum, and thankfully we didn’t spend nearly as much time as we had the previous day in the visitor’s center. We did learn that the tree that people could drive through the base was in Yosemite National Park, but had died some years prior (sorry Jen).


Go figure – cutting a giant hole in the bottom of a tree can kill it.

(Sarcastic enough for you sweetie?)

The general area of the Museum was also home to the auto log, tunnel log, and crescent meadow. Auto log is a fallen tree that people use to drive on top of. Like the tree in Yosemite, it’s not up for that any more.

But when we stopped to take pictures we did get an extra treat.

While not as cool as the now deceased Yosemite tree, the tunnel log was still pretty cool! Reason number 815 why I’m glad Jay’s the photographer in the family – I got to have all the fun.

Duke Boy style!

The tunnel log leads up to crescent meadow. Maybe we just hit it at a bad time of year but *whispers* I thought it was ugly. (And yes, my hub-sand is a excellent photographer and his skill is totally what made this picture pretty.)

A 0.8 mile trail led to Tharp’s Log. Basically this dude made a fallen log into a cabin where he lived a while. Then some modern day idiots thought it’d be cool to carve their names into. (Graffiti, especially in the National Park, pisses me off.)

Then it was onto Moro Rock. The helpful construction lady had referred to it as “some steps up to a great view.” Turns out “some” steps = 400 over a 300 foot elevation change. At points, Jay and I both were uneasy about the straight drops down.

My dad is a “Safety First” nut, but also loves roller coasters and thrills. Jay and I both agreed that this stop on the trip was definitely not OSHA approved!

When we finally got our heads out of the clouds, we headed toward the General Sherman. There is a sign warning about the elevation change/steep climb on the way back.

I offered to take the picture of a family of four, so they offered to return the favor for Jay and I.

We decided to pass on the Big Trees & Congress trails, and instead headed towards the foothills. Not sure why Jay let me drive, but he did – and I needed the help of the signs telling me to down shift. Unfortunately the car didn’t have a 2nd gear, so it was either 1st or drive. From the looks he was giving me, most of the time I was either going too fast or two slow to suit him.

The town in the foothills provided a yummy lunch at a Mexican restaurant – and cell phone coverage!! We chatted on the phone to our parents (and I think Jay made a business call or two) stocked up on snacks at the grocery store, then headed back up the mountain.

Back at the lodge, Jay worked on the computer and I finished (yet another) book. The lobby had a huge bear with two tiny bears in the big bear’s lap. A family came over to the seats to get their picture made with the bear, so I offered the couch where I was sitting. Once again my kindness was returned, and they took our picture with the bear.

Although we’d just eat a few hours earlier at Serrano’s, we decided to keep our dinner reservations at the Lodge and just have a light meal of soup and salad. Jay was none too happy when the waitress told him that they were out of soup. With steam coming out of his ears, he ordered an appetizer, and I got a Caesar salad.


For more pictures of that day, click here.