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...

California Campin', 4: Yosemite

After Pinecrest we moved on to three nights in the campgrounds of Yosemite National Park, two in the Valley, the third at Wawona. We've visited Yosemite many times over the years, starting in 1972, as a number of previous blogposts attest. Even with the crowds, it's always an amazing place.

First view of the Valley, driving up from the Priest Grade

Upper Yosemite Falls, and Lost Arrow Spire, and Yosemite Peak

North Dome

Parked for the day while hiking: with the well-insulated
Bigfoot, we look for sunny locations in order to re-charge
the batteries; one returns to a comfortable camper, with
100% SOC

Hiking up toward Vernal and Nevada Falls

Thus

Nevada Falls (or was it Vernal?)

NPS deer, in a parking lot, totally uninhibited

Afternoon view of Half Dome

On a hike to Lower Yosemite Falls

"Yo no soy marinero, soy el Capitan!"

The Nose in profile

California Campin', 3: Pinecrest

We stayed in Menlo Park until P's 4th birthday...

Thus

And thus

And then headed up to Stanislaus National Forest and its
wonderful Pinecrest campground...recommended by one of
Rebecca's neighbors...a snow flurry had passed by, but it all
melted away within a day or two

The beach at Pinecrest Lake

Campground amphitheater; sort of after the Greek model

Moonshine and treetops

Lunchtime view, walking around the lake

OK, it's not a lake, it's a reservoir

Vicki walking across the dam

The dam

Cultural note: "and forge the uncreated conscience of my race"?

All this on the Pinecrest National Recreational Trail

On a rock face, a precarious existence in this historically dry year

California Campin', 2: Pinnacles National Park, Again

During her spring break, we took P down to Pinnacles National Park. We were there in December, but our stay was shortened by the Pineapple Express...probably the last significant rain this place will see for many months. Anyhow, despite a cold, P enjoyed it, hiked like a trooper, took up entomology, and earned her Junior Ranger's badge.

Our campsite at Pinnacles...rather more crowded than in
December, particularly with school groups

On a hike to the Bear Gulch cave

Bug of the day; these warm and dry climate-loving fellows
have now devoured about 20% of the West's forests, I've read;
and seen, everywhere

Close observation led to the conclusion that maybe this one was
too big and icky to capture; alas, two of the ladybugs did not
survive their overnight captivity in the bug house, although two
others did and were freed the next morning; as part of her
Junior Ranger oath, P later swore not to feed nor capture any of
the Park's animal residents--we'll see if this oath holds against the
interests of Science; earlier she learned the hard way not to touch
unknown plants; note Junior Ranger vest...

Part of the trail

Pinnacles

The "cave" is mostly chock-stones over a
narrow defile

Steps in the cave

Outside and atop the cave; a lot of people
come to Pinnacles for the practice climbing
areas; the conglomerate makes for easy
foot- and hand-holds

With appropriate ironmongery

Thus

Lizard of the day

Another day, Grandma and P became the audience for a NPS
videography session (not shown...two afternoons at the unheated
pool, braved by Grandpa)

The talk was about Pinnacles' significant population of
California Condors...9 foot wingspread; alas, we only saw
turkey vultures

Alas, alack, all of Pinnacles is under a fire-ban
that probably will last until next fall's rainy
season begins; we saw many years of drought
in Montana and many such fire bans there; and
fires; not a pleasant thought with talk of a
mega-drought affecting the US West...traveling
the West, and now California, I have an ominous
feeling of seeing so much now for the last time...
beetles and fires and drought don't leave a
pretty aftermath