Sequoia National Park

Gabe and Will enjoying a great day at Sequoia National Park.

On Friday we headed up to Sequoia National Park. The weather was beautiful...a little cloudy at times, but beautiful!

Our first stop was Morro Rock. It is a 1/4 mile, fairly steep, hike up to the top. Gabe made it about half way before he decided he was done. Mark stayed behind with him while Will, Sam, and I continued up. I was willing to turn around as soon as Will said he was done, but he suprised me (and the rest of the family waiting at the top) by persevering all the way up. If you ask me, we made it in record time considering I was carrying Sam (in the Baby Bjorn, I wouldn't have been able to do it otherwise!) and had a 3 year old in tow! Will walked every step of the up by himself, no small feat. My dad helped carry him down in a couple of spots, when he was slowing up the group behind him...other than that, Will was on the look out for puddles on the way down, jumping into each he found with both feet!

Mark and Will headed up the trail to Morro Rock.

Will climbing the steps up to Morro Rock.

We made it to the top...up above the clouds!

This is what Sam looked like for most of the trip...what a cozy way to travel, tucked into someone's jacket!

The Crosbie clan (except for Ellie, who stayed home with Nana for the day).

Uncle Tom, Aunt Vinda, Dave, Rondi, and Ryder

Ryder and Shay holding up the big rocks.

Come fly the friendly skies...

Amy and Shay proving that they actually can defy gravity...and yes, aside from the different colored hats they were dressed exactly the same!

Gabe found lots to look at with his binoculars while he waited for us to come down from Morro Rock.

Driving from Morro Rock to the General Sherman, we saw a bear cub foraging on a hill next to the road. We stopped to take some pictures.

Really, I promise, there is a bear cub in this picture...

We had a picnic in the parking lot at the head of the trail to General Sherman...what better way to picnic than with left over turkey sandwiches!! Yum!

Grandpa and Sam enjoying the sunshine after lunch.

We then headed down the trail to the General Sherman, the oldest, largest living tree.

Mark teaching the boys about the General Sherman tree.

As we were heading out of the park, Aunt Vinda noticed a bear on the hillside. We turned around to get a closer look. It ended up being a cub with it's mother. Mark, my cousin Ryder, my Aunt Vinda, and Gabe all got out for an even closer look (Will was asleep). As Aunt Vinda was helping Gabe out of the van, she said, "Now hold my hand, and if I say move, you MOVE!". They were far enough away from the bears to feel safe, but close enough to know you are never safe with bears in the wild.

The momma bear.

We finished our day up with an ice cream cone at Reimer's. A perfect ending to a perfect day!