Sequoia National Park

In early August 2019 Dan and I decided to take a short road trip to Sequoia National Park. Although we both grew up in California, we still have not been to all the National Parks in our home state. This trip helped move us closer to that goal. Sequoia National Park is famous for its giant sequoia trees, including the General Sherman tree, the largest tree on Earth. The Giant Forest, which is connected by the Generals Highway to Kings Canyon National Park, contains five of the ten largest trees in the world. The park was established in 1890 to protect 404,064 acres of forest, and is also home to Mt. Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous United States (14.505 feet above sea level).

As we wandered among these ancient and massive trees of the southern Sierra Nevada range, we were awed by their strength and beauty and it was impossible not to contemplate the many changes witnessed over millennia by these sentinels of the forest. Giant Sequoias are the third longest-lived tree species with the oldest known specimen to have been 3,266 years old. Their size has more to do with girth, than height, even though the largest of the sequoias stand as tall as a 26-story building. They typically grow to more than 20 feet in diameter and up to 35 feet across.

General Sherman, at 2,100 years old, weights 2.7 million pounds, is 275 feet tall, and has a 102-foot circumference at the ground. The third largest tree by volume is the President, with over two billion leaves, and an estimated age of 3,240 years.

Although sequoias were logged in the 1870’s (something I have such a hard time wrapping my head around) their brittle wood does not make for good lumber. However, due to the presence of tannic acids, they are incredibly hardy, resisting fungal rot, wood-boring beetles, and fire, as their thick bark is flame resistant. And thankfully, these trees are a protected species today, ensuring their continuation into the future.

In addition to the magnificent trees in Sequoia National Park, there is also a hidden system of caves running below ground. We took a guided tour of Crystal Cave, walking along a steep trail flanked by waterfalls to the cave entrance. The cool 54-degree temperature inside the cave was a nice respite from the summer heat, and we enjoyed hearing the history of the cave discovery and seeing the impressive cave formations. 

White Sands National Monument

Our 2018-2019 winter in Florida officially wrapped up at the end of April, when we started heading back to the west coast to reconnect with family and friends. It wouldn’t be a straight shot there, as we had stops to make in Fort Smith to visit with Dan’s brother and cousins, a stop in Chanute, Kansas for trailer maintenance, and a stop in Anthony Texas for trailer repairs, stretching the trip to over three weeks. While we were in Anthony, we had to leave the trailer at the shop for three days, so on one of those days we drove to The White Sands National Monument, in New Mexico, about 75 miles from where we were staying.

Rising from the Tularosa Basin, and engulfing 275 square miles of desert, these glistening White Sands comprise the world’s largest gypsum dune field. Typically, gypsum is rarely found as sand because it dissolves in contact with water. But the isolation and weather patterns of the Tularosa Basin creates a unique environment allowing these waving dunes of white powder. Unlike dunes made of quartz-based sand crystals, the gypsum does not readily convert the sun’s energy into heat, and can be walked upon safely with bare feet, even in the hottest summer months. Visitors can hike on multiple trails, partake in education ranger-led programs, and even sled down the dunes in a few designated places.

Any little bit of color from wildflowers, shrubbery, cactus flowers, birds, and bugs really stand out in such a stark environment, catching your eye with the sharp contrast it creates. The day gave us beautiful blue skies, big white puffy clouds, and a gentle breeze. The temperature was warm, just edging on hot, hinting at the extreme temperatures sure to be found just a few wakes later. We enjoyed our short visit to White Sands and were glad we set aside a day to visit.