Tuesday, June 9, 2015

WE MADE IT TO THE WEST COAST! ~ CALIFORNIA (with a peek at Nevada)

Leaving Arizona and heading to California (with a quick jut up to Nevada so the boys could say they were there!) was a full day of desert driving.  It was fun to see the landscape change as we entered the Mojave National Forest.  However, we really felt as if we were in no-man’s land! 



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Quick stop in Nevada!








We turned around and headed back into California to visit the area where we were stationed from 1995-1998 and to reunite with a wonderful friend who always kept in touch with me over 17 years!!  What a blessing it was to be able to spend time together.  (Thank you for hosting our family while we were in CA!)




Another friend stopped by to see us, and it was wonderful to reunite with my two homeschooling pals of yesteryear!  :)






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The two main things the boys wanted to see in California were the Pacific Ocean and the amazing Sequoia trees!

THE PACIFIC OCEAN

Our friends took us to their favorite state park:  Montana de Oro.  This is near Morro Bay.   We walked around various areas of the park, had lunch on the coast, and played around on the beach so the boys could touch the Pacific Ocean.

ROCKY SHORE







 

 

SANDY SHORE






 
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Here's Morro Rock (in Morro Bay) that was seen from Montana de Oro State Park.



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About an hour north along the coast, we were able to see an elephant seal rookery .   I thought we were only *hopefully* going to spot a few elephant seals on the coast.  What a surprise to see the ENTIRE BEACH covered with them!   This was truly a sight to remember!  (You can use the website link above and visit the seals through the e-sealcam.)




 
It was chilly and very windy here when we visited.



SEQUOIA TREES

An hour and one-half ride up into the southern end of the Sierra Nevada mountains brought us to these famous giants in Kings Canyon .    These sequoias are almost all given state names.




 
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One of the three largest sequoias:  General Grant
 
 



General Grant tree and us
 
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 Delaware tree





Fallen sequoia tree that used to be a stable:




See us inside it?
 
We were blessed with gorgeous, comfortable weather for our day trip to the mountains. 


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Besides these beautiful parks, we enjoyed the scenery of many orchards, vineyards, and fields of the San Joaquin Valley. 





 
 

 
 









 Sadly, we also witnessed the serious drought conditions of California.  So many of the rolling hills and fields were dry and brown.  Let's pray that the state will receive the rain it needs so that California can continue to supply our nation with the healthy fruits, vegetables, and nuts that we all love!

It was hard to leave California because of the fond memories of almost two decades ago but also because of the fun ones we just created here as we did in Colorado Springs with our other friends.  However, it was time to turn around and head back east.

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