We stayed in Three Rivers, right outside Sequoia National Park, for three days. This was an unexpected side trip on our way to Manhattan Beach. We had not planned on making this stop but the thought of staying in Auburn for a week was just a little too much for me and Caleb. We wanted to hit the road! So Caleb found a spot that was half-way.
Typical style for us is to arrive at our destination and then try and cram as much site seeing as we can into as little time as possible. No different with Sequoia National Park. We immediately set out into the part late on Sunday afternoon. It had been raining so the views on the way into the park were just amazing. Once inside the park we found ourselves on a hunt for General Sherman.
General Sherman (courtesy of wikipedia)
Is a giant sequoia located in the Giant Forest of Sequoia National Park. By volume, it is the largest known living single stem tree on Earth. The General Sherman Tree is neither the tallest known living tree on Earth, nor is it the widest, nor is it the oldest known living tree on Earth. It is 275 ft tall, with a diameter of 25 ft, an estimated bole volume of 52,513 cu ft, and an estimated age of 2,300–2,700 years.
The trees in the forest have a gentleness and peacefulness about them that is really hard to explain. I actually felt a calmness when hugging one. So mush so, I told Caleb he had to hug one too, to feel the tree’s energy.
I’m so glad I had an extra boost of calmness because upon leaving the park we found ourselves almost completely out of gas! We had less then 1 gallon when we finally made it to the gas station. Oh, but what a day we had had. Beautiful cloudscapes, amazing trees, sunset and baby bear crossing the road as we left the park. To complete the day we had a left over fish dinner prepared by our friend Barbara. Thank you so much Barbara! It was great the first night we shared it with you and Ted and equally as great as we settled into to our little spot next to the river.