Friday, May 8, 2015

California Campin', 5: Big Trees, Big Waves...

After camping at Wawona, we spent the morning walking among the big trees in the Mariposa Grove, then drove south, out of the park, and camped two days on forest road 5S 17, in the Sierra National Forest: rest and relaxation, and only one longer hike down the road.
Spring growth in the Mariposa Grove: what are these things?
We forgot to ask the rangers....
















The interestingly named "Faithful Couple" tree:
above, it splits into two giant trunks and then
soars; which occasions the question...who names
these trees? and why not "Schizophrenic Tree"?





















The so-called "Bachelor and Three Graces"
clump, which I have re-christened "The Menage
a Quattre avec Voyeur
" clump; in future visits,
I will endeavor to more appropriately rename
all the trees in the Grove






















Our site off of 5S 17; we both needed to recuperate from
P-induced colds
















We drove on to Fresno and spent the afternoon with the nice
folks at Sportsmobile West--a custom-camper firm we've always
admired--and then spent the night with Rich Sam...a firm we do
not admire, but which permits scum like us to park free over-
night; we always try to park near the "outdoor living" department;
according to Bernie Sanders, the immediate descendants of Sam
Walton own more than the lowest 40% of the American people



















The real estate west and south of Fresno was as flat as I have
seen, although, happily, it was mostly planted in vineyards; I
think this must be where $2.49 Chuck must originate; mile
after mile after mile

















We lunched here, at the James Dean "Heaven Tree," just a few
hundred yards from where he and his Porsche 550 Spyder ended
their careers; icon of icons...

















Route 41 took us all the way to Morro Rock on Morro Bay















And the beautiful electric plant adjacent...















San Simeon, Hearst Castle: Rosebud; been there, done that, in
1990, we think















Kite surfing 















Thus















And thus















And thus















In the Big Sur















The hills to the east...California, especially the high country, is
a tinderbox...



















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