Big Trees

My father has been asking for some time (okay, maybe 4-5 months) if we could all take a trip to Big Trees. The hardest part has been trying to figure out a weekend where we were available as well as parents.  Now that my mother is retired and my father more active in some of the Hmong community events, there is always something going on every weekend therefore making it more difficult to schedule.   So my father finally stated at the end of July that he had the first two weekends of August free and wanted to go to Big Trees....so we did.  And it was great. 

Miles was so excited about going to Big Trees even though he had no idea what it was.  We got up early that Saturday morning and prepared for the drive down to Calaveras Big Trees State Park.  Miles was so excited that he stayed awake the entire drive there and kept asking the proverbial question  "are we there yet" in his own manner.  When we finally arrived he was jumping for joy yelling "Mommy, big trees, big trees." My sweet Caleb slept the entire car ride and woke up in a daze surrounded by huge Sequoias. 

We only hiked the North Grove Trail as it as was a 1.7 mile loop which was not too rough and generally "paved" path so it wouldn't bee too hard for the toddlers.  We also brought our little umbrella stroller along just in case and it did great.  The trail took us about 2 hours to walk, this included taking rests, allowing for time to enjoy the scenery, and for Miles to run around.

 Caleb just having woken up 

Miles at the beginning of the trail...he can't wait for us to get started

 Miles and grandma by a fallen tree stump

 Checking out The Old Stump.  The stump is part of the Discovery Tree and this is what 

is left when the large Sequoia fell in 1853.  It measured 24 feet in diameter and was 

said to have been 1,244n years old when it fell.

A part of the Discovery Tree.  The Old Stump is behind this section of the tree.

 Miles and grandma next to a Sequoia

 Strolling through Big Trees by himself....

oh how it makes me think of the path ahead of him and what is to come

 taking a break

 The roots of a fallen Sequoia 

Us in relation to the Sequoias

 Tim and Miles between two trees

(I was hoping to get a shot of me and Miles in front of this set of trees as 

it was noted to be the Mother and Son Trees, but that didn't happen)

 A fallen tree along the path

 Inside of that fallen tree along the path. You could walk all the way through it

 At Pioneer Cabin Tree

 Caleb enjoying his nectarine during lunch

After a nice leisurely hike through the forest we enjoyed a wonderful lunch in the picnic area.  It's so amazing the things that make you stop and take a look at your life.  This little trip made me think about how old some of these trees are and how small I feel next to them (not literally just size). The massiveness of the Sequoias and yet how fragile they can be and that what we do now really can effect how long they will last and if they will be here for my children to enjoy as adults and for my grandchildren to see.  I was glad to be able to share such a wonderful day with my family.