With a need for another quick get away, we headed a little over an hour away from Selma to Kings Canyon National Park. It was an overcast day with low lying clouds, which we seemed to drive straight into as we reached the 6000 feet elevation of the park. The clouds kept us company as we entered the park, and took off on foot to see the majestic giant sequoia trees.Walking along the trail of the self guided tour, the mist of the clouds around us, and temperatures that bring a rosy color to your cheeks, you couldn't help but marvel at the splendor of these trees. The grandest of them all is the General Grant Tree. This tree is the third largest living tree and has a base which is wider than a three lane freeway, and is as tall as a 27 story building.
The General Grant tree was proclaimed "The Nation's Christmas Tree" by President Calvin Coolidge and in 1956, President Eisenhower designated the Grant
Tree as a living National Shrine in memory of Americans who have died in war. Try as I might, the pictures I took do not give justice to the size of the massive trees. To think that their root structure is no deeper than five feet beneath the surface makes you stop and wonder how they survive for many centuries. Toppling is the primary way these stately trees meet their end, uprooting from a heavy snow load or strong wind.
As with our own life, over long periods of time, nature, climate, and the world around us adjusts, sometime slowly, sometimes too quickly, but it adapts and has an ingrained will to survive. We find specific conditions that suit us, whether it be hot or cold, wet or dry, a place we can tolerate. Except for the hot, I find that Craig and I can live with a wide range of conditions, and that is why I know we enjoy life on the road so much. An ever changing landscape of nature and humanity, some we love, some we don't, but always with our love of adventure prodding us towards that next town down the road of this great land......America.
The General Grant tree was proclaimed "The Nation's Christmas Tree" by President Calvin Coolidge and in 1956, President Eisenhower designated the Grant
Tree as a living National Shrine in memory of Americans who have died in war. Try as I might, the pictures I took do not give justice to the size of the massive trees. To think that their root structure is no deeper than five feet beneath the surface makes you stop and wonder how they survive for many centuries. Toppling is the primary way these stately trees meet their end, uprooting from a heavy snow load or strong wind.As with our own life, over long periods of time, nature, climate, and the world around us adjusts, sometime slowly, sometimes too quickly, but it adapts and has an ingrained will to survive. We find specific conditions that suit us, whether it be hot or cold, wet or dry, a place we can tolerate. Except for the hot, I find that Craig and I can live with a wide range of conditions, and that is why I know we enjoy life on the road so much. An ever changing landscape of nature and humanity, some we love, some we don't, but always with our love of adventure prodding us towards that next town down the road of this great land......America.
2 comments:
Your pictures are eerily wonderful. I love Sequaia and its magnificent trees.
WOW! My wife wants me to take her there. I think I'll have to do that.
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