Blogs from Sierra National Forest, California, United States, North America

After waking at first light freezing cold we got up to a frosty morning and watched the sunrise over the mountains. Buffet breakfast not so good as supper but we did get given free packed lunches for the day. On the way out of the lodge we saw a coyote! First stop was Grant Grove to get some petrol, only to find out the only open petrol station in the park was at Hume Lake so we detoured there, very pretty drive down a side canyon. We were then delayed on route 180 by a lane closure as they cleared a fallen tree off the road.The road had only opened for the summer the day before though so this wasn't too bad going! These delays meant it was nearing 11am by the time we got most ... read more

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park This is a forest of giants, big old giants! The General Sherman Tree is the world’s largest tree, about 2700 years old, its largest branch is about 2.15m in diameter, thicker than most other tree’s trunks!. These sequoia trees have a special type of bark that seems to be resilient to fungi, insects and also fire resistant. The wood is so impenetrable or unable to decay that piles of sawdust can still be found in Grant Grove’s Big Stump Basin where sequoias were cut for lumber over 100 years ago – this ability helps them to survive for centuries. Most of them die because they topple over as they don’t have deep penetrating roots… poor big guys! The general Grant tree is the world’s third-largest tree and has the greatest ... read more

Day 4! To tie the bow on last night, we made a fire right when we got back. Forecast called for higher winds and cooler temperatures than the previous night, so Sid graciously purchased a mobile home where almost everyone would sleep. I decided to diverge from the masses and sleep in the van. It was warm and comfortable, and an overall great choice! The wood is so incredibly dry out here, we were able to start a fire without a match both last night and again this morning. The plan was to cook over the open flame. Sid and the TA’s purchased a bunch of meat (steaks, chicken, sausage) and veggies to just grill up and chow. It turned out the house had a huge propane grill, so with the exception of the chicken, potatoes ... read more

August 20, 2009 (Melisse here…) HOME We packed up and left HOME, St. Louis, MO., a place that means so much to us, our family, friends and neighbors, our house and it’s gardens, our easy-access town. And yet, after driving cross-country (stopping first in Pocatello and Jackson where my brother, John, generously as always, laid out the red carpet for us) we crossed into California where the winding, tree- lined mountain roads filled our hearts and minds with the same word for different reasons: HOME. After nine years away, the sights and smells, the anticipation of reuniting with old friends, let us know that we were HOME here, as well. We brainstormed on the word and its concept: There’s no place like home. Home is where the heart is. Home is where you hang your hat. ... read more

We just got back from 5 days of free camping at the Buttermilks (just outside of Bishop, in the Sierras of California). April 14 through April 19, 2008. Who: AB, DJC, Sidd, and Maya. Camp sites are first come, first serve - we arrive on Monday and the place was packed. Acitivities: Snowshowing to snowboard-able slopes around the Buttermilks. Tons of ardous hikes abound leading to amazing runs...this is not for the weary. Will be much better in JANUARY! Will return w/ snowmobiles for sure. Mountain Biking - we brought the bikes, but we lag too much and only managed to move them from the bike rack to the bushes. Resort Snowboarding - Mammoth mountain resort is about an an hour long drive from where we camped. One lovely day at Mammoth to end a great ... read more