Two days in Sequoia National Park
I was initially skeptical about visiting Sequoia national park in November, not having heard of the existence of snow chains before I checked out their website and having the hunch for the poor snow plowing capability of sunshine wandie (yes, I am one of those people who name their cars) if it ever came to that. But with the experience of having spent a night in the car, and the inexperience with cold weather, I decided to go.
After breezing through pleasant sights of the blue ocean till Ventura, escaping the smoke clouds of Bakersfield, and missing the last opportunity to get cheap gas we were finally in Sequoia National Park.
The park displayed easily the most (only) beautiful fall colors I have ever seen. The shadier roads were lined with snow and the sunnier parts filled with colorful leaves. The park has five of the world’s largest trees. Having seen redwoods in Muir woods, Yosemite, Big Basin, in comparison, I wasn’t as mesmerized by the redwoods as I was planning to be. We visited the touristy loops and got lost on a dirt path which was kind of fun but not really.
S loved her first snow sighting and was surprised that it wasn’t as cold as she expected it to be.
A visit to the crystal cave was interesting and we ended the day listening to stories of the inspiring John Muir.
The northern part of the park along the King’s river was the most beautiful bit we saw. Turn off the music, roll down the windows and listen to the water stream. Bliss.
The cabins we were staying at were much more secluded than the camps in Yosemite. The food was less expensive. We finished the postcard writing routine and bought Janice Joplin forever stamps. We dropped off the letters at the cute little post office and met the happiest person working in usps I have ever known. Maybe living in the middle of the redwoods helps, maybe its just him.
I had to stop at Gilroy to get that garlic ice cream once and for all. I loved the ice cream (seriously, there is no way you won’t like it). The garlic wine, not so much.
Our time in Sequoia was quiet and relaxing thanks to the off-ish season. The interesting mix of snow and sunshine makes me want to go back again this time of the year.
