Mount Rainier National Park

We've gotten way behind with our blogging efforts but wanted to share with you a few photos of our time spent in Mount Rainier National Park (late August). Suggestions from a back country ranger assisted us in planning an impromptu two-day backpacking trip through the Southwest corner of the park. Sweeping vista views of Mount Rainier followed us during our hike and a lovely turquoise blue lake greeted us as we reached our destination on night one. Zach woke up early the next morning and hiked to a fire tower in the area (see photo). We reached our campsite early on day two and passed the time reading books. We hiked out on day three and stopped to stroll around the main visitor center where the wildflowers were EVERYWHERE! If you are looking to visit Mount Rainier National Park go in late August, it was absolutely beautiful.

Big Sur and the National Parks

We were flattered the Hearst family wanted to keep us as guests at the castle but the schmoosing was getting tiresome and the road was calling so we continued North to Big Sur. In our heads Big Sur was an unknown gem where we would find hidden beaches and have our choice of campsites; unfortunately everyone else thought the same thing. Big Sur was beautiful and we were able to enjoy an isolated cove and a nice sunset but we were not able to find camping and had to continue North to Monterey... where we slept in the car.

We were both looking forward to visiting Kings Canyon, Sequoia, and Yosemite National Parks on the east side of California. We started by spending a couple days in Kings Canyon known as an alternative to Yosemite since it has similar granite rock canyons without the crowds. During a long hike we came across a group of people all taking pictures in the direction of a creek. When we looked to see what everyone found so exciting we saw a bear with three cubs just 40 feet away! They were not aggressive and seemed preoccupied with getting to the water for some fishing.

The next day we headed South to Sequoia National Park to see what John Muir called "the big trees." At first glance they don't look that big but once you approach one and get close the true size becomes realized. Since it is hard to describe in writing I'll list a few facts to help visualize the sheer size of these trees.

Mature Sequoias average 250 feet in height and live to be over 2500 years old.
Sequoia bark is over two feet thick making them almost completely resistant to fire and infestation.
The base diameter of the General Grant Sequoia is 40.3 feet. That is wider than a three lane highway! If it were cut down there would be enough wood to make 40 five bedroom houses.
The General Sherman tree is considered the largest tree in the world for overall volume. It weighs over four million pounds.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Our second of what will be many National Park visits was Bryce Canyon in South Utah. I was a bit under the weather with some sort of stomach flu and have decided that the desert does weird things to the body. It's just too freaking hot in June and reminds me of Minnesota Winters except opposite... hope that makes sense! We smartened up and got up for sunrise photos, lounged by the pool during the sweltering heat of the day, and went out at evening again for short hikes. Here are some photos worth more than my ramblings can describe.

Mesa Verde National Park

On our way to Payson, AZ we stopped at Mesa Verde National Parkat located at the far southwest corner of Colorado. There are several cave dwellings built into the canyon walls by Pueblo Indians between 800 and 1300AD. Most required a tour guide but there were a couple self guided areas. We took a hike out to spruce tree house cave dwelling and continued on to some petroglyths that were carved into a cliff; we noted that they were not the most creative artists. The day was hot and shade was scarce leaving us exhausted. Luckily we knew Aunt Kako would have a gourmet dinner for us ready when we got to her house in Payson.