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Published: August 6th 2013
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We made our way back into southern Yosemite today, headed for Mariposa Grove, home of the great Sequoia trees. Our tram ride was idyllic – an open air transport through the upper and lower groves with a narrated audio tour as we drove.
It’s hard to describe the grove, comprised of many species of tree including oak, pine and dogwood, interspersed among the giants of the forest. The Sequoias are unique in many ways. They reach heights of 250-300 feet. They have trunks up to 38 feet in diameter. Their bark is reddish and furry. They loom large overhead, with branches and needles only appearing toward the very top.
They are curiosities. Virtually immune to bug infestations, tree disease and root rot, they live until they topple over in storms, usually. And that can be for thousands of years. Some of the trees in the grove have been dated at 2700 years old. The forest floor is littered with super-sized pine cones, which one naturally assumes belong to the behemoth Sequoias. But their pine cones are actually about the size of an egg. The large ones belong to another variety of pine.
There is something reverent and inspiring
about the grove. It is a tangible, proximate reminder that we are part of something much bigger, something eternal that reaches far beyond our short-lived existence. It is both comforting and awing at the same time.
We left Mariposa headed for our next round of trees – Sequoia National Park, just south of Yosemite. What no one really tells you is that travel in this part of the country is mostly 2-lane roads, and takes a lot longer than you might think. So, unfortunately, we were not able to get to the park before the Visitor Center closed. But, this meant an earlier than usual arrival at our campground in Three Rivers, CA.
We stopped at the local market and picked up some food to make dinner – our first attempt at cooking in the RV. Let’s just say we won’t be doing too much of that. Todd grilled some meat, Marcia made pasta, the kids all took a shower in the RV, and somewhere in there we (and by that, I mostly mean me) hit a wall and just got a little fed up with doors and drawers not closing properly, ovens not lighting, everything taking longer
to do, people on top of each other all the time, and…well…just RV living in general.
But Todd and the kids were quite the impressive cheerleaders, rallying on a moment’s notice to point out all the wonderful parts of our trip, how much fun they were all having, and a gentle reminder that even a not-so-great day here beats a good day at home. Well, mostly.
With their help, we weathered my stormy mood and ended the night cozily tucked in our home on wheels finishing the movie “42” we had started a while back. The popcorn and ice cream definitely helped, too. Tommy fell asleep, once again, before the movie ended. But as Todd and I stood outside for a moment after draining the water tank so the shower would empty - J - the stars were dazzlingly brilliant, the warm night air welcoming, and the sounds of the great outdoors soothing and relaxing. It was a good night, after all.
Marcia
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The Other Baldwin Family
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A Breeze, Some Cheese and more Please!
Life inside your "home" getting a little stuffy at times? Completely understand, but I like your attempt at "meals on wheels"! But to stand outside in the warm night air with your loved one, listening to the soft sounds of the dirty bathtub water draining....priceless. Stand tall like the trees.....and shout to the sky....I am an RV'er!! And I am proud! Just not to loud...or Tommy may wake-up. Have fun!