First Fire
November 14 was the date of our first fire of 2009, in a mountain home warmed only with wood heat. Just when you announce you have had no need, you do. I was going to wait a few days and only get the...
View ArticleLast Peek Until 2010
The road to the high country closes here when travelers start getting stuck in the snow. Last week on the first snow, we headed up knowing that it could well be our last glimpse of the Giant Sequoias...
View ArticleLimbs on a Tree
On Thanksgiving Day, we took a hike at the Trail of 100 Giants and saw something none of us had ever seen or even considered: how tree limbs are constructed. Notice the star-like design in the...
View ArticleChristmas Tree Farm
Overheard in a grove of government-protected Giant Sequoia trees: "What do you think we would be fined if the Sherrif caught us with one of these trees tied to our car?" "No, Mama, you said I can't...
View ArticleTrucks in the Wilderness
Alastair, 12 months, is fascinated with vehicles at fast-moving intersections, particularly trucks. This summer we took him on his first road trip to U.C. Davis, stopped in Chowchilla for coffee, and...
View ArticleCowboy Help
Frederick's account of our near-forest fire makes us realize that perhaps fire reduction should not be left solely in the hands of a 40-year-old postpartum woman.
View ArticleHilltop Winter
To the northeast, we see the high Sierra behind tree limbs weighted down with snow. We cycle between "you cannot beat the view here" and "we must find a warm climate to live in."
View ArticleHobbit Sighting, Sequoia National Forest
Diane spotted them and, luckily, we caught them on camera. Here are the hobbits coming out of their home: And a hobbit close-up: Hobbits are also apparently mammals. This is how they feed their young:
View Article“We Need At Least……Two”
Our recent discovery of the "lost road" on our property could only happen on property with rugged and wild terrain. (Though it is still a bit embarrassing that it took the Rose Family 27 years to...
View Article“Chitty”
We removed a large dead oak tree on the property here in the Sequoia National Forest and had to call our friend Dave to help split the huge pieces of oak. Dave showed up with this splitter. As he...
View ArticleMoss On Fence Posts?
"Mama, look at the moss on the fence post! This must be old moss. It is amazing it stayed on the wood after the tree got cut down!" (This picture comes to you from Long Meadow near the Trail of 100...
View ArticleFourth of July Under the Pines
This parade is a highlight of the year here in the southern Sequoia National Forest. The 4-H club sponsors a parade that is just so quaint, I would travel for it if I didn't live here. Anybody at all...
View ArticleLadybug Spawning
We have been visiting a collection of ladybugs at a local creek. I remember visiting this same creek about twenty years ago with friends and excitedly scooping up ladybugs. When they start crawling up...
View ArticleGoose Walking Trail Of 100 Giants
Filed under “you can’t make this stuff up,” this interesting fellow (pictured “flapping” his arms) walked his pet goose along the Trail Of 100 Giants, a grove of Giant Sequoia trees in our area. Maybe...
View ArticleShadows on the Trail of 100 Giants
Located in the southern Sequoia National Forest, this fully handicapped accessible trail winds through a grove of Giant Sequoia trees. Among these massive trees, a small child runs back and forth...
View ArticleFallen Giant Sequoias Plan, Nostalgic Video Bonus
Two months after two Giant Sequoia trees fell in the Trail of a Hundred Giants blocking a large portion of the wheelchair accessible trail, the Forest Service has announced a plan to renovate make the...
View ArticleLadybug Adventure at White River Campground
As you explore the Sequoia National Forest you may happen upon a small colony of ladybugs covering rocks and tree trunks so completely that they are red in appearance. Move your hand toward the red...
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