Yosemity National Park (Part 2)

Today we got to see and touch the giant sequoias of the Yosemite National Park. After we had a really big and yummy breakfast, we headed toward the South entrance of Yosemite taking the Wawona Road. Upon our arrival there, we were notified they the 2 mile road to the entrance of the Mariposa grove was blocked and wouldn't be opened till next week. There was still snow on some areas, and the Park officials were being careful, so that the vehicles wouldn't have any accidents. As a result, we were left with one choice: walking. Gillian had thrown up in the car while driving through the windy roads toward the sequoias, and so I was worried about her. However, Gillian was the one to actually be several minutes ahead of me while walking and hiking the steep and tiring path toward our destination. Even Elijah was following behind her, having to hold each boy's hand to help them during the hard climbs. I followed behind pushing Charlton in his stroller. There were moments I would have loved to have switched places with him, but all in all the walk was refreshing and much needed after the big breakfast we had had.

Starting our walk

Enjoying the view while taking a break

Upon our arrival, minutes after Elijah and the children had arrived, I was greeted by them with applause calling out that team "Charlita" had finally arrived.

The Mariposa Grove contains about 500 giant sequoia trees spread over 250 acres. These are the largest living things on earth, some of them weighing at least two million pounds, and ranging in age from 2000 years to over 4000 years old.

We meet our first favorite

Gillian improvises to cool herself off

Children are way excited to see snow again

We were determined this was truly an elf house

Jefferson was amazed at the size of this pine cone

What a sight to behold! This tree had fallen two hundred years ago, and had stayed at the same place this whole time.

The very weird looking sequoia tree behind Elijah is called the Grizzly Giant, because of its strange looking branches. It is over 4000 years old. Amazing!
This was the highlight of my hike, the California tunnel tree. In the upper level of the grove, another 3 mile hike, there were bigger tunnel trees with opening for a car to go through. I was satisfied with these trees; maybe next time we'll take the shuttle and visit the other groves.

As we were going through this amazing sight of fantastic trees, Elijah was telling me how he was so proud of Gillian for being a great athlete and arriving first at our destination, even though she wasn't feeling well. Jefferson overheard us talking, and on the way back he decided he was going to be the first and win a prize just like Gillian. He did. Here is the children crew as we reach our point of return. Good job, everybody! You were real troopers!