Land of the Giants

 I am coming up on my first of several multi-day stops.  So I wont be posting any travel related content until the 4th, but I do have a short blog going up on the 3rd related to motor tics that I experience. 

Woke up with a really bad back ache.  Bed TOO soft of this lady.  My husband can attest I like a really firm bed.  He nick named my bed "The Rock" because even after 5 years it was still exceptionally firm and even though it was memory foam it had very little give.  But that's what worked for me.  Marriage is compromise, so the bed we have now is a little softer, but still incredibly supportive. Bed last night, no support, ouch.

I got to Sequoia NP a little before 7am.  It took about 35 minutes to drive the 17 miles to the Sherman Tree Parking, and I wouldn't have wanted to go any faster.  It's 17 miles worth of switch backs, very steep drives mixed with very tight turns.  I also don't do well with high elevation.  Historically I get elevation sickness, it increases my migraines and can always give me nose bleeds.  But today at 7000+ feet I was only winded faster than normal and took more breaks on my walks. My First stop was Sherman Tree- The LARGEST tree on earth. From the parking lot it is a .5 mile walk each way.  Down was easy, however in coming back up I made good use of the many benches that line the trail.  It was in no way crowded at 8am, but I was able to find a lovely family to take a photo of me (hardships of solo travel). [If you are a disabled traveler, there is an accessible lower lot for General Sherman tree and an accessible trail with no steps to get to the tree. ]

My next stop was General Grant in Kings Canyon- These two trees are located 30 miles apart in 2 different parks and it took me about an hour to get from Sherman to Grant. There is again a short trail.  With 2 notable exceptions, this trail is also accessible: 1) Walking through an old dead log- While I believe they could totally put in a ramp, they haven't. The steps are all different sizes and it's definitely a tripping hazard. 2) Fire Scar- There are steps up to the fire scar on General Grant (aka the Monarch). 

At Grant there was a Ranger guided tour but it was starting as I was about to leave, but it's nice that they had it. 

During the entire time I was in Sequoia and Kings I took lots of extra photos and wanted to share some of them with you here. 

I had a lot of fun, walked 5,325 steps and did the equivalent of 17 flights fo stairs. 

After Kings I got back on the road for many hours of driving to my final destination, but more on that later.

That's all for now

-C