The next few days

We left Sanger and headed for Grant Village in Sequoia National Park driving through the beautiful Kings Canyon National Park. We saw General Grant Grove with some of the biggest Sequoia ever, there were loads of them. Mariposa Grove in Yosemite has the biggest but has nowhere near as many. General Grant tree was magnificent but so were lots of others. A very special place.

Went up to Boyden caves which was lovely though quite a hike. Robin wanted to see a bat but learned geology instead. An impressive cave with lots of marble and a creek bed inside and outside.

Did a short trek at Grizzly Falls and travelled to Roads End cause we wanted to see if you drove off or turned round. (We turned round)

Roaring River had splendid views but we are a bit overwhelmed by the majesty of it all.

Booked to spend night in cabin with showers at the end of site (Jim said they were allotment sheds)

Was up nice and early as the beds very uncomfortable! Had to go to loo in night (too many beers) and of course I woke Jim up to come with me in case of bears! Had my own grumpy bear!

Next day made for Giant Forest Area of Par and General Sherman tree in the Giant Forest. You can look up park maps if you like! Went to the museum - lots of learning and the forest - lots of walking. Then drove to tunnel log and took photo of Jim driving through, they really are spectacular trees.

We then went to Crystal Cave and had a very hard 1/2mile walk. It wasn't getting down but knowing we'd have to walk back up. We learned what poison oak is along that road, we also know what it does and did manage to avoid it. It was really lovely with waterfalls and a stream and the cave itself was excellent, marble, larger stalagmites and stalactites and more draperies than the Boyden Cave and it also had a worm living in it that is found no where else in the world.
We didn't see the worms of course but the tour guide was bragging. At the end they asked us to carry up a bucket of concrete as they are digging up the concrete floor for preservation and asked everyone to take a bucketful up, no mean feat. We were all huffing and puffing, Jim suggested they get a donkey. The Americans do not have a sense of humour like ours and do not really get jims quips!

On the way to Moro Rock we saw our first bear and a few more deer, bears are really cute but i would not like to get too close. The climb to Moro Rock was quite streneous but worth it the view was spectacular.

We then drove out of the park to a place called Three Rivers and finally found somewhere to eat, we were all starving, all that walking and climbing and everywhere in the park (foodwise) was shut for the winter (someone should tell them 100 degrees is not winter) Then about 10pm we found a place to stay. A trailer park! Once again we left early.

Got to Bakersfield for breakfast. We have gone from lush green forests and granite mountains to cowboy like western rolling hills to desert and are staying today in Mojave surrounded by iron donkeys because Jim needs to rest Robin needs to write some homework and I wanted to blog.

Tomorrow VIVA LAS VEGAS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Could Paulina or Yvonne please print this off for me in case it is lost somehow as I would like to have a copy of where we were and when. Today is Wed 10th Sept. Will keep pieces of paper and blog again when I can get to library or hotel with free internet!

Love and miss everyone but there seems to be so much to fit in its fun.

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