Started the morning early with a quick breakfast and then packed our daypacks to head up the mountain, past the General Sherman tree, and on to Wolverton where a Ranger recommended to us the 14 mile round-trip Pear Lake trail – a harder, longer trail that affords more solitude. Geared up with many layers of clothes, we take off up the twisty mountain road on the motorcycle. It is a clear morning, with blue skies and sunlight. We make it to the Giant Forest Museum and decide to stop and look at the information displays. Lots of cool facts about sequoias and we learn quite a bit. Across the road from the museum is the road to Moro Rock, a huge, dome-shaped granite monolith that you can ascend via lots of carved steps for views overlooking the Kaweah canyon. Since it’s a clear morning, we decide to detour to Moro Rock for a quick hike to enjoy the views. Unfortunately, once we get to the rock and begin our ascension, a large cloud of fog rolls in unnaturally fast and obscures our views before we can make it to the top. We continue however, but all we can see around us is a bunch of white mist. Ah well, it was a fun climb and a good morning warm-up.

 

 

Hopping back on the motorcycle, we drive under Tunnel Log, a large fallen sequoia tree spanning the width of the road with a tunnel carved out of the center so that automobiles can drive through it. We’ve never driven through a tree before, so that was pretty cool. Back on Generals Highway, we finally head towards the trailhead, park and begin our hike. It’s begins as a gradual ascent with patches of snow and ice here and there, but as we hike higher the trail becomes mostly hard-packed snow. We are both noticing the effects of the elevation as we’re at about 8,000 ft and have been living at sea level for quite a while now! The trail splits for Pear Lake and we follow a steep grade up (no switchbacks at all!) “the Hump” – by which they mean mountain. It’s slow going through the snow and we have to make more stops to catch our breath than normal. We are following a snow shoe trail through the woods and not an actual hiking trail. We finally break for lunch and discuss our options. The thick, soupy mist has finally caught up to us. It’s damp and we can’t see very far in front of us, which means even if we do make it to Pear Lake we probably won’t be able to see it very well. I love doing hard hikes and being rewarded with amazing views, but without an amazing view it just feels like a lot of work for nothing. So we decide to turn around, head back to the motorcycle, and go back to the Giant Forest and do some more hiking among the amazing sequoias. The hike back down is an adventure because it’s all snow and basically straight down – we do a lot of slipping/sliding, and finally deciding it’s easier to just go with it, we ski down on our shoes using our hands as stabilizers. It was really a blast!

Back in the Giant Forest area we walk around Big Trees trail, one of the best areas for sequoia growth. We see some amazing trees, and as the fog rolls in yet again we take a seat on one of the benches and make an afternoon coffee to enjoy among these gentle giants. Then it’s on to Tharp’s Log trail, where Tharp (one of the first European settlers in the now Park) built a cabin incorporated right into a fallen sequoia. Very cool and rustic! A perfect natural dwelling (if you don’t mind a tight fit). From there we continue our hike to Chimney Tree, a hollowed out sequoia stump you can walk into. These trees are so massive and majestic. It’s hard to explain just how awe-inspiring they are. Walking among them feels almost sacred and spiritual, especially when they’re emerging from and disappearing into the mist.

Done with our sequoia hikes, we head back down the mountain and back to the campground for dinner. We take a quick mini-hike across the road from the campground to the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River. We spot a few beautiful bright red salamanders along the trail that look like some kind of science experiment. Back at the RV we make a quick dinner and then head to bed for an early night. Great, full day!

Ashley and Karen woke early to go for a morning water aerobics class. I saw them off (giving me one last chance to see Jim) and then started packing up.

It’s always sad to leave family behind, but it’s so exciting to head off and visit new places. And it’s so nice to be back in our home. Fortunately, the trip over to Sequoia National Park wasn’t a long one and the camp ground was pretty empty when we arrived. Took a couple of tries to find a campsite level enough for us to stay in. After a late lunch we unloaded the motorcycle and stopped at the visitors center. Then on into the Sierras!

Pictures just don’t do the Sequoia’s justice! We walked around the largest tree in the world, by volume, the General Sherman. You could make yourself dizzy looking up at the top of it.

 

On the way back down the mountain to the campground we stopped at a nature trail we spotted on the way up. We walked through a tree. The path went right through the trunk of a fallen giant and a tunnel was cut through it. I could walk through without ducking and there were still a few feet of wood above me. We continued on the trail and found another fallen giant, fire blackened roots sticking up from the ground. How amazing! We had the trail to ourselves and wandered among the giant, ancient forest in awe of our surroundings and feet muffled by the needles littering the ground.

 

 

The clouds caught up with us in the form of mist and it was time to head down to beat the rain.

Slept in late after game night. Lazy morning for all – brunch out on the patio before getting started for the day. Karen caught up on some gardening, I read and journaled, Jim did school work, and Ashley read before taking a walk to the nearby Elfin Forest.

Jim and I went for an afternoon mountain bike ride up Oats Peak trail. I made it to the .5 mile left sign and turned around. Jim wasn’t too far behind me. Great ride, probably my favorite.

We all cleaned up and headed into Morro Bay for a farewell supper with Matt. Tasty food – a salmon salad for Ashley and fish and chips for me.

Matt came over to the house for a few minutes – just long enough to get a group photo.

I was up till about midnight and then woke again about four. After lying in bed for about thirty minutes it was time to get up. After reading for a bit I finally started to get sleepy again about six, but the alarm was set for seven so it was time for coffee instead of sleep – that just wasn’t going to be enough to be helpful.

Ashley got up and was ready to go – we headed for the Farmer’s Market about 8:45 to pick up fresh produce to stock up for our pending departure. Heading out Monday and need to refill the fridge and pantry.

Finished shopping, we head into downtown SLO and grab some brunch before meeting Karen at Costco for a few more items. She has more errands to run so we take everything back to the house and put it away.

I grabbed a nap.

Since the Thai restaurant was closed for the weekend Jim ran to the store for some last ingredients and we put together pizzas for supper. Matt came and joined us as we ate (pizza night to make up for not having one last month!) and then Marial came over for game night. We played Catch Phrase and had an absolute blast. Everyone laughed till it hurt and the teams ended up pretty evenly matched. Couldn’t have asked or planned a better evening!

Forecasting rain so we plan for inside fun. With a borrowed car for the day we head into SLO and grab coffee at a new shop while looking at trail maps for Sequoia and Kings Canyon Nat Parks. Plan out a couple of trails/features we don’t want to miss and decide on a campground to stay at while visiting.

On the way back to the house we pick up some groceries and then it’s time for fun in the kitchen. Karen has a book of soup recipes and we’ve picked out one for supper – it’s a modified chicken noodle soup, with cinnamon and allspice and more. Ends up being delicious!

Once the pots simmering Ashley breaks out the kitchenaid and makes cookies. They’re a nice surprise for everyone after the tasty soup.

Looks like it’s going to be a great day for a hike, so we head back into Montana de Oro State Park to the Oats Peak trail. 5.4 miles each way, up into the mountains, toward the highest peak in the park. Everything’s still nice and green but pretty much the whole trail is views of the hills so not a big change of scenery to enjoy. There was no breeze until about halfway back so the warmth of the sun really heated up the day.

Great view from the top of the peak – 360 views of the mountains around us and the ocean peaking through between the valleys to our west. We stopped and ate lunch there.

Saw three rattlesnakes, two on the way up and one on the way back down, almost in the campground. Also spotted two garter snakes leaving the trail ahead of us.

 

After Karen headed off for work we hopped on the bicycles and set out for a ride. Another loop down Turri Road and then through town a bit before turning around and heading back to the house.

The tri tip is still marinating so that’s the plan for supper. We swing by the grocery store for some things and put together sides for tonight. Jim fires up the grill when he gets home and everything ends up being absolutely delicious. Matt comes and joins us for supper.

Ashley and I have a lazy morning before hopping on the motorcycle and heading across the mountains to Avila. Joni recommended a route for us (she used to live on one of the roads) and sentiments were echoed by Jim and Karen, so we couldn’t pass it up.

What a beautiful road, winding up and over the mountains, with fabulous views of Morro Bay and the Rock, along with the green hills in-between! The recommendations did not disappoint!

In Avila, we parked and walked out on the pier. Beautiful blue water, a couple of harbor seals, and gorgeous rocky cliffs.

Tried to go back to the Avila Valley Barn for apple cider and roasted corn, but they’re closed on Tuesday and Wednesday! Alas… Back into town for a shared smoothie that we enjoyed while walking past the shops.

Headed back home. I napped while Ashley put together a salad for tonight’s supper. There’s a tri-tip marinating in the fridge. Jim ends up pretty busy with work, however, and we decide to save the grilling for tomorrow. The salad is delicious as supper by itself.

Matt arrives at 6 to pick us up for a day of fishing out on the ocean. He’s off work and invited us to join him for a 3/4 day trip. We’re awfully excited – this will be completely new for both of us! Plus, this gives us a chance to hang out with him and really get to know him better.

We stop at the tackle shop for permits and then load up on the boat – the Princess, which we spotted while kayaking on Thursday. Matt’s got more than enough gear so he’s loaning us some for the day. The boat heads out – it’s foggy for the entire trip – without being able to see land or horizon I get pretty queasy, which doesn’t let up until I get sick in the head a bit later.

Our first stop is a bust, with no bites for anyone, though the second is hot for a few minutes. Ashley and I both catch doubles, one fish on each of the two hooks strung on our line. Success! We’re using bait casters, a new type of tackle for us, so there’s a bit of a learning curve, but so far so good!

We move around a few more times and don’t have a whole lot of luck, but have a great time trying! Our last spot of the day really proves to be successful and between the three of us we catch 22, more than enough for supper tonight.

On the way back into the bay the crew filleted the catch for everyone who wanted it. We watched them work, watching the seagulls fight over scraps as we went.

Back at the harbor, once everyone else left and our fish were prepped, Matt gave us a tour of the boat. Up in the wheelhouse, down in the engine room, and into the bunkhouse. Very cool to see “behind the scenes” of the boat!

At the house, we grab a shower and start laundry. Jim and Karen return home from work, Matt comes back over, and his girlfriend, Marial, arrives as well. Matt sets about cooking the Ling cod he caught as an appetizer – it really does taste like lobster, amazing! I put the jalapeno poppers he picked up in the oven as he preps for fish tacos. All of our rock cod is coated in egg and instant potato mix and pan fried. Delicious tacos!

Ashley shows Marial our photos while Matt catches a nap in the recliner. Jim, Karen, and I look for the missing paint sprayer – I guess we won’t be painting the book shelves tomorrow after all. Matt and Marial head out as the rest of us settle in to watch the final movie in the Hunger Games series.

After breakfast we packed up and headed up the coast along the 1 toward Big Sur. We stopped in Cambria to visit Wally – the dog they rescued and had for a month before he was adopted. What a friendly dog, and Noah, the owner, seems like a fabulous fellow for him.

On up the coast, we stopped and checked out the Elephant Seals. Sprawled out along the shore line we watched and listened for some time before continuing on.

Everywhere was packed, as we seem to be visiting right in the heart of spring break. Fortunately, we were able to get into the park itself. We gaped at the Redwoods, wandered memory lane while exploring the campgrounds, hiked the riverside trails and enjoyed a coffee break in the lodge restaurant.

On the way back down, we stopped at Nepente, a restaurant sitting right on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. What fabulous views and delicious food!

While there, Matt calls and offers an adventure for tomorrow. We’re going ocean fishing with him on his day off!

We’re losing light fast as we head back south. Fortunately, the crowds seem to have dispersed so we are able to make good time. A quick stop at Ragged Point allows us to see the last of the sunset over the ocean and cliff shore before continuing on.