Giant Sequoias: Part 1

Right after I returned from NC,
Z was off to a conference.
So when he got back, we decided
to spend Friday (his day off)
exploring a little bit.

We headed east up through the canyon
mimicking all of the river's turns,
drove past Lake Isabella
into Kernville, where we found
a tiny Mexican restaurant.

Sufficiently nourished and armed with
a pamphlet of the area's hiking trails,
we decided on the Trail of 100 Giants
and set off in that direction.

We made a quick pit stop
at a general store for batteries.
The ranch wasn't far from the trail,
but the temperature
dropped nearly 20 degrees in
that final 15-20 minute ascent.

There was snow and ice on the ground,
the absolutely most fresh scent in the air,
and then, the giant sequoias...

I took so many photos that there will be two posts.

The pictures cannot do justice to these trees,

but I hope you enjoy them.

Our first visitors!

Susie & Mamaw came to
town for Z's installation
at church & visited for several days.

We stayed very busy &
had lots of fun...

at least once they recovered
from jet lag.

We spent ALL day Sunday
at church for worship,
the installation,
and the reception,
so the other days we tried to
show them as much as we could.

We went to some parks.

To some antique shops

To see panoramic views of the oil fields
and orchards

And up into the canyon where
the Kern River rushes

Of course they needed to sample local fare
such as In-N-Out burgers

Plus you can't come to Bakersfield
without getting ice milk and candy
from Dewar's!

We loved seeing these wonderful ladies
and can't wait for more visitors!