Katy Trail

Carol Freshley November 25, 2016

If you cannot take an uncruise, how about a four day bike ride along Katy Trail? Greg and Ann share their vacation with us. Greg wrote, "The 237 mile Rail Trail State Park runs from Clinton to Machens, Missouri which is just outside of St. Louis. The trail runs along the Missouri River, so the trail is very flat. Ann and I spent 4 1/2 days riding our Surly Touring bikes on the crushed limestone trail.

Along the trail we ran into many wonderful people. We rode with two young people from England who were riding their bicycles from Los Angeles to New York. When we first met them we thought they were a couple. It turns out they were brother and sister. They made it to New York on Nov 4th.

We rode over many bridges and through many tunnels. We stayed in beautiful bed and breakfasts and hotels along the way. We ate in some very nice restaurants and quaint little cafes. We did not lose any weight on this trip! We would recommend this trip to anyone who likes to ride a bicycle."

I see that Lefty made it on this trip.  Of course!! — I see that Lefty made it on this trip. Of course!!

Have to smile at this image.  Bet it has come in handy on more than one occasion. — Have to smile at this image. Bet it has come in handy on more than one occasion.

Whew! Well, I have a whole lot of questions about this vacation. This looks like so much fun I may just have to get my bike tuned up and get some 'build stamina' rides in. A very special thanks to Greg and Ann. I know they are happy to answer questions about doing a biking vacation such as this. They have done many of them. I was drawn to Greg's comment that the trail was flat!

Sequoia National Park

Carol Freshley November 15, 2016

Sequoia National Park was the second park in a system that now numbers over 400 parks. As we climbed to the top of Moro Rock we could see just what makes this park so very special. Yes, the giant sequoias are a part of the magic of this place. But they are just a part of the magic. In this part the visitor is treated to a diverse ecosystem that includes oak trees, chaparral bushes, the largest living tree on the earth along with rugged canyons, high Sierra mountain peaks, bear and elusive mountain lions, marmots, foxes and mule deer. John Muir explored this area and actually named the Giant Forest. He wrote, "When I entered this sublime wilderness the day was nearly done, the trees with rosy, glowing countenances seemed to be hushed and thoughtful, as if waiting in conscious religious dependence on the sun, and one naturally walked softly and awestricken among them."

This is a California Buckeye tree.  It is found in the lower elevations of the park and has seed pods that glimmer against its white bark. — This is a California Buckeye tree. It is found in the lower elevations of the park and has seed pods that glimmer against its white bark.

Sequoia National Park's diverse ecosystems include many areas such as this with smaller trees, vines, and, in the fall, some yellow and gold colors.

The tall dry grasses found in the lower elevations make the park more vulnerable to rapidly spreading fires.

This is just about the biggest manzanita I have ever seen!

Rocks that look like they are just about ready to fall onto passing cars are held gingerly in place by yucca plants and other dry vegetation.  A Golden Hour photograph! — Rocks that look like they are just about ready to fall onto passing cars are held gingerly in place by yucca plants and other dry vegetation. A Golden Hour photograph!

This is Tunnel Rock.  Fortunately, the road does not pass underneath it. — This is Tunnel Rock. Fortunately, the road does not pass underneath it.

The Kalweah River runs through much of the park.  This time of year it appears as a small creek but in the spring this changes as the river can become flooded with snow melt from Sierra mountains. — The Kalweah River runs through much of the park. This time of year it appears as a small creek but in the spring this changes as the river can become flooded with snow melt from Sierra mountains.

One of many rock formations along the road.

An higher elevations we began to see some forest and fall color.

Hello!!  Vehicles exceeding 22 feet are not recommended along this part of the road!! — Hello!! Vehicles exceeding 22 feet are not recommended along this part of the road!!

Finally, we arrive at the Giant Forest.  This is the Sentinel Tree, right in front of the museum (a very worthwhile stop). — Finally, we arrive at the Giant Forest. This is the Sentinel Tree, right in front of the museum (a very worthwhile stop).

You may be wondering how the sequoias are different from the redwoods that are found along California's northern coast. Well, here is a description from the Park's brochure, "The giant sequioia has a massive trunk, huge stout branches and cinnamon-colored bark. Also called "Sierra Redwood' and 'Big Tree', its scientific name is Sequoiadendron giganteum. The taller and more slender coast redwood, Sequoia sempervirens is more conifer-like in profile."

It is difficult to convey the scale of either species of sequoias.  My brother Steve helps me out in conveying this tree's girth.  It was not even one of the taller trees in the Giant Forest! — It is difficult to convey the scale of either species of sequoias. My brother Steve helps me out in conveying this tree's girth. It was not even one of the taller trees in the Giant Forest!

We ate our picnic lunch while sitting on a large log in the company of the magnificent trees.  Notice the people shown in the lower right corner. — We ate our picnic lunch while sitting on a large log in the company of the magnificent trees. Notice the people shown in the lower right corner.

This is the General Sherman, the world's largest living tree.

My brother Steve.  Life is good when you can grab your camera and go out with these two great guys! — My brother Steve. Life is good when you can grab your camera and go out with these two great guys!

Moro Rock can be seen from many places in the park.  It looms large over the surrounding rolling hills.  If you could zoom in to see the detail at the very top you would notice a railing that runs along steps that can be climbed for a view… — Moro Rock can be seen from many places in the park. It looms large over the surrounding rolling hills. If you could zoom in to see the detail at the very top you would notice a railing that runs along steps that can be climbed for a view not to be missed.

It is listed as a 1/4 mile hike up 350 steps for an altitude gain of 300 feet.  This is just the start of the trail up and you can appreciate the size of that fallen sequoia. — It is listed as a 1/4 mile hike up 350 steps for an altitude gain of 300 feet. This is just the start of the trail up and you can appreciate the size of that fallen sequoia.

Don't look down!  In some places passing folks coming up or going down required some polite hugging.  I slid by one woman who was too scared to go up any further and too nervous to go down. — Don't look down! In some places passing folks coming up or going down required some polite hugging. I slid by one woman who was too scared to go up any further and too nervous to go down.

You can appreciate the winding road from the valley below the park.  I counted 13 curves that recommended a speed of 10 miles per hour between the entrance gate and the Giant Forest.  Hairpin turns would not adequately describe how sharp t… — You can appreciate the winding road from the valley below the park. I counted 13 curves that recommended a speed of 10 miles per hour between the entrance gate and the Giant Forest. Hairpin turns would not adequately describe how sharp these curves were. This is the southern view from the hike up Moro Rock.

Looking northward.  The handrail was attached to the right rock wall.  The hike was one of the more intimidating I have taken in some time. — Looking northward. The handrail was attached to the right rock wall. The hike was one of the more intimidating I have taken in some time.

Tom and I made it to the top!!  I took my tripod and camera bag because I wanted to be able to take some panoramas and swap lens.  But, they sure added to the weight I carried up.  Can you just imagine how breathtaking this view is? — Tom and I made it to the top!! I took my tripod and camera bag because I wanted to be able to take some panoramas and swap lens. But, they sure added to the weight I carried up. Can you just imagine how breathtaking this view is?

We love images like this.  And we can take a lot of them as the light changes quickly. — We love images like this. And we can take a lot of them as the light changes quickly.

Steve and I are heading back down.  He walks behind me in case I fall up!  Can you spot the road below? — Steve and I are heading back down. He walks behind me in case I fall up! Can you spot the road below?

There were several pull out spots where one can look southward over the mountain ranges.  The haze added to the mystery (?) of this place. — There were several pull out spots where one can look southward over the mountain ranges. The haze added to the mystery (?) of this place.

Taken on the first evening of our first day in the park.

We were stopped in Three Rivers (I think) on our way home.  Three very tired photographers!  Tom jumps out of the car with camera in hand.  He had spotted a mural across the street. — We were stopped in Three Rivers (I think) on our way home. Three very tired photographers! Tom jumps out of the car with camera in hand. He had spotted a mural across the street.

Thanks for being a part of our adventures. A special thanks to Don, whose love of this park made me bump it up the list of places I wanted to visit.

Calaveras Big Trees

Carol Freshley November 10, 2016

This is a state park established in 1931 to protect the North Grove of about 100 mature sequoias. In addition, the Stanislaus River runs through the park, offering campers and photographers even more to enjoy. The sequoias here are not as big and impressive as in Sequoia National Park but the we enjoyed the day nonetheless. There is more of a 'forest' feeling here and the Stanislaus River was a good break from trees!

Big tall trees in a heavily forested area are tough to photograph and provide a sense of scale.  This is a huge cavern and I found it hard to believe the tree was still alive. — Big tall trees in a heavily forested area are tough to photograph and provide a sense of scale. This is a huge cavern and I found it hard to believe the tree was still alive.

The path from the parking lot to the river is designated as an 'accessibility' path, meaning we could walk it with a smile on our face.

There were several benches along the path which was listed as being just a quarter mile, round trip.  My kinda hike! — There were several benches along the path which was listed as being just a quarter mile, round trip. My kinda hike!

Often when we are out taking photographs we think about our friends and how nice it would be if they were with us. So, it was no surprise that in this place the topic of Kati getting her very artistic detailed images came up. Tom mentioned to Steve that it was not that easy to do and that Kati was VERY good at it. So, of course, they each gave it a try. I had to smile because I had already thought of Rick as I had captured a star burst. At some point, everyone gets thought of as we imagine how much each person would enjoy the opportunities we were experiencing.

Tom loves to play with bubbles.  It is the kid in him!! — Tom loves to play with bubbles. It is the kid in him!!

Yep, a pretty much one lane and forest dark road.  Let's go home. — Yep, a pretty much one lane and forest dark road. Let's go home.

On the way home Steve spotted this opportunity by the road.  By the time I could safely pull over he had a bit of a walk back to get this image. — On the way home Steve spotted this opportunity by the road. By the time I could safely pull over he had a bit of a walk back to get this image.

We are so glad you have joined us.