We were so very grateful that on Thursday the government signed an interim spending deal which allowed the National Parks and all other government entities to open. YAY! We were headed to Yosemite. It was a fairly long ride for little guys who had already been in the car for two days to get here, but they were troopers - even Tyler who was not feeling well.
Yosemite is BEAUTIFUL. We started our day in Mariposa Grove - a large grove of giant sequoia trees where we rode the tram through the grove and learned of their history and amazing survival stories.
- are descendants of an ancient line of trees , that live up to 3000 years
- they don't mature until between 600 and 800 years
- they are resistant to almost every disease, possibly due to a different resin content
- they are resistant to fire and have passed through many. Some are hollow, from the fires. As this is like bone for them, they can still live, but it could make them weaker
- They like moisture
- Their roots are shallow although extending out. This is the mostly likely thing to cause their death- toppling.
- Have branches up to 8 feet in diameter
- Bark grows up to 3 feet thick
- Reproduce by seed only
This tree was carved out over a hundred years ago so that a horse and wagon could go through it. The tree is still alive because it's nutrients are in the outer portion of the tree.
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| Wawona Tunnel |
After leaving the grove, we drove to the
Wawona Tunnel to see El Capitain. The pictures below are what you see when you exit the tunnel. It is breathtaking!
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| Sister Olson and I at El Capitan and Half Dome |
After returning from Yosemite, we went to Cheesecake Factory to celebrate Marcie's birthday. I am so grateful for this beautiful daughter who loves life, loves her family and loves the Lord.
