Road Trip - Sequoia and King's Canyon

Back to California we headed after spending over a week in the desert. We were happy to see the "leaving Nevada" sign and the very ugly and grossly underwhelming "Welcome to California" sign. Who would have thought that such a large and tourism-riddled state could have such an ugly welcome sign? We would have to expected it to be better, especially after some of the other awesome signs we've seen and are still yet to see (watch for that post after our trip).

Anyway, the drive to Sequoia was long and boring, and we weren't able to make it quite there, so we stopped at a KOA Kampground in Visalia, CA. It was our first stay at a KOA (ever), and boy was it worth the extra few dollars over the average $18-20 campsite we had been staying at. It had wireless internet, showers, a pool, and free coffee! I guess that's why my Dad was a frequent visitor on his motorcycle trips. Needless to say, the perks made us pick up their directory and plan to stay at more KOA's on this trip.

We got a semi-early start the next day and made our way to the park. I'd been to Sequoia on a couple occasions with Michael...

Michael Jamros at June Mountain New Year's 2012

...but was very excited to see how Lacey would like the big trees. I remember the first time I saw the Giant Sequoia groves and was in awe of how something can grow for that long (over 2,000 years) and that big (over 40 ft. across and 300 feet tall). It was just really cool to bring someone else there for the first time and be able to see their reaction.

Lacey at the General Sherman Tree (Largest tree by volume on Earth)

Lacey hugging another Giant Sequoia

A top-to-bottom shot of an unnamed Giant Sequoia

Sally enjoying the Sequoias with a dirty European backpacker

Anyway, we spent a couple nights in the park and had a great time. We are currently planning a trip back to the area with my sister Denise (although she doesn't know it yet) where we'll spend more time in King's Canyon (backpacking), see Yosemite, and some of the other great sites in this part of CA. More on our travels later tonight! Stay tuned!