Sequoia National Park

One of the things we love to do when we go to a National Park is star gazing. We did this in Bryce Canyon and it was the first time in a long time I have seen the Milky Way in such clarity (the last time was over 35 years ago when I was at UTE dam near Tucumcari New Mexico). It is rated as one of the darkest points on the planet. We also did star gazing in the Tetons. We  decided to stay in Kings Canyon so we could do a Rangers sponsored star gazing event. It might have been a great experience butin the drought stricken start of California it rained. We went anyway and played like we saw the stars. LOL

Sharon and I at the base of the Sherman. This tree is 275 feet tall estimated to weigh 1385 tons and 103 feet around at the bottom. It is thought to be over 2200 years old. 

Sharon at the base of a fallen Sequoia. About the only enemy of these trees is Man.

Same fallen tree in the pictures above 

Another larger fallen Sequoia tree. Sharon took picture as I drove through in our van.

A fantastic view from the north side of Moro Rock 

Southern View from Moro Rock. The roads below are our way out of the park

Please note all the dead trees. These parks a full of  them because of the drought. They are actively cutting them out because as trees get weak from the lack of water a beetle attacks them 

The climb up Moro Rock 

Another view from Moro Rock 

I thought the roads of  the Ozarks  where I grew up had sharp curves but they don't hold a candle to these. Many time I noted that if a car was in front of  you over 25 feet you might not see them at all. I actually enjoyed driving on them but can't say the same for Sharon.

A natural rock formation along the way out of the park

These giant sequoia are the earths largest tree. At least 3 species are older, one has a greater diameter, 3 grow taller, but none are larger. They only grow on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada at 5000 to 7000 elevation.

Just taking it easy

Yosemite National Park (part 2)

Ready for the second day in Yosemite Park we left our lodge early and headed for Yosemite Valley village. Pictures below  will show some of the most outstanding sites we have ever encountered in our National Park system visits. We have been to around 25 National Parks and all have been exciting and different in their own way. But Sharon and I both went away from this park thinking YAAAAAW.

Arch Rock on Hi Way 140 just outside of the west entrance 

A Granite Mountain high above the canyon on our way in  through Arch Rock entrance 

A view along 140 just before Arch Rock entrance (Merced River)

Half Dome Mountain made of granite 

El Capitan Mountain 

Even with all the tourist we wee able to see wild animals of the area 

Another view of El Capitan Mountain  

Those who had a lot to do with the preservation of Yosemite National Park. I thought is was especially interesting about the First Rangers (African American  Cavalryman )

Sharon's maiden name is Curry. So figured someway she is related to this group who made their mark in Yosemite.

Up close view of the granite wall of El Capitan MT. A favorite area for climbers. (yes a close look you will see a climber or two)

In September while we were in Yosemite the waterfalls are not always running. Here at BRIDALVEIL CREEK FALLS it was still running some however. One area we will go back to some day in early spring. 

As we headed toward the southern exit (Wawona Road) we stopped at an overlook and what we saw actually brought tears to our eyes. It was a little smokey from fires in the area which to us only helped to show the magnitude of what one was looking at. 

South Lake Tahoe

Our main goal for not continuing south on Hi way 101 on the Pacific Coast was to be sure we hit all the national parks that the beautiful state of California has to offer, We also wanted to enter Yosemite National Park from the east side. That took us to Lake Tahoe area where we stayed for a few days. The following pictures will give you an idea of the beauty of the Lake as well as the surrounding area.

Our first view as we popped over the Mt. top going down into the valley of Southern Lake Tahoe

A serine lake just outside of Lake Tahoe  

A very popular activity in the Tahoe Lake area

A wind devil from a small fire as we traveled leaving the Tahoe Lake area

Lassen Volcanic National Park

 As we left the Redwood country we were traveling South and East across California with a destination of Lake Tahoe.  Along the way not far from Redding we heard about a National Park we were not  aware of. Lassen Volcanic National Park. It sounded interesting so we set out to explore what it had to offer. It was the 15th of our present 411 National Parks. I consist of a myriad of natural and culture treasures from all four types of volcanoes (Shield, Cone, Plug,and Composite). It last eruptions was between 1914 and May 22 of 1915. Through generations many tribes of  Native American considered the area as a spiritual center. Of course it is impossible to show the beauty of the area but we have below some of the sites that were moving to us. ENJOY!

Since it is an active volcanic area scientist are constantly monitoring the landscape. No one can say when it will erupt again only that it will!  

A Composite Volcano 

A Plug dome Volcano

A Shield Volcano off in the distance on the right

Rain and snow feed the hydrothermal (hot water) system that lies deep underground. Heated by molten rock (example is the bubbling mud pot here).  Indicating evidence of  active volcanism and the potential for future eruptions. 

Southern entrance and visitors center 

Southern Oregon/Redwood Country in Northwest CA (Part 1)

"Lost on Purpose" has been our guiding force since leaving Southern Alabama back in February when we started our Rambling Journey.  The "Lost on Purpose" really came into being as we left Sharon's brothers house just outside of  Portland. We began by heading South and  rambling down  through the middle of the state of Oregon toward the city of Eugene. Not having any idea where we might be going for sure or where we might eventually end up except that we would be going through several National Parks as well as looking for National Monuments as we headed to Palm Springs CA Our plans were to be there around the end of September.

I was especially interested in going through Eugene  because I had an Uncle (Art) who had moved there from the Ozark hills of Missouri when I was a young kid. He was a story teller and when he would return for a visit with his family he would tell us about the great city of Eugene. It created enough interest for me that I have always wanted to visit the area. He has long passed on as well as most of his family but I was still interested in going through on the way south.

After spending a short time there we headed south and west toward the Pacific Coast eventually arriving and staying the night at Coos Bay OR. Next morning we headed farther south toward  Arcata CA where we had arranged to stay the next night. The next day we would be at a destination we had been hearing about for years and was excited to be getting close to (The land of the big Redwood trees). Mean while along the way a local told us about a little town on the way that was a must to stop and spend a little time. A couple of pictures below will give you some idea where it is and how  unique it was..

Bandon Oregon (on Pacific coast in southern OR) I show you this picture to let you know where the pictures below are located. A beautiful little town well worth the stop if going down Hi way 101 on the west coast

Operating light house in Bandon

Pacific Ocean coast in Bandon

Pacific Coast at Bandon OR

From Bandon we headed on down the coast toward Crescent City CA and on south from there to where we would be staying the night (Arcata CA)........ As we usually do when we arrive in a town we don't know much about we ask some of the locals or check on Tripadvisor for unique places to eat and places to visit. That evening Tripadvisor took us down town Aracta to a little restaurant with a high rating but was told we probable have a long wait. Well ratings were right on but the food was worth waiting for.  While there we noticed the whole area was bustling with young people. After asking a few locals we found out Arcata was the home of Humboldt State University. I am always interested in small towns that has a progressive high educational establishment. So we set out to tour the campus. It was bustling with student activity. We were told what made Humboldt special was it projected an atmosphere where students with spirit of adventure and a passion for making a difference in the world could grow and prosper. While visiting the campus I got that feeling.

Next day a new adventure we had been waiting to experience for a long time (Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park). My younger brother had visited here over 30 years ago and had told me about how great the forest drive was. WOW was he right on.

Sharon as she stood along side of the big Redwood tree (gives you some perspective of how large these Redwoods are)

This time of the year a rare picture of Elk