We dismantled our tent in a sleep-deprived daze, and headed out for the Sequoia Groves trail. Eleni quickly made it clear that she was not interested in walking in the forest without being carried all the way, so Neil gallantly hung around with her whilst she befriended chipmunks and chased butterflies. Meanwhile, Alex and I followed the trail to the Giant Sequoias.
As we were walking along, I tried to explain how exciting this Sequoia Grove was to me and how old these trees have been on this earth. Some of the trees on this trail are around 2,000 years old, but in Sequoia National Park, CA, some have lived up to 3,000 years! But telling Alex was one thing, the reality was that for him, this was just a beautiful forest to walk through and my “oohing and aahing" was not creating a significant experience for him.
Alex frequently ran ahead, I would catch up, and then he was off again! So, one of my favorite moments was when Alex rounded a corner, saw the tree below, and yelled, “WOW!”
I wish this photo was right-side up, but the internet server where we are is not letting me repost and put a better one in...I'll try later. 
The forest became more real for him after that first Giant Sequoia.
These are the roots of a Giant Sequoia that fell. "Look, Mommy! You can go inside!"
"Come on, Mommy! Please go in the tree with me!" This is as close as I will ever get to an Indiana Jones moment - we walked, then crawled, then slithered down the tree. Some of these trees are over 300 feet...not sure about this one, but it went on and on!
Until finally (phew!) there was a spot where only Alex could continue through. I got out of the tree (and dusted off the dirt and grime) in that spot on the left while he kept going. You know it's exciting if this is the first photo Alex asked me to take on this whole trip. It was so meaningful that he actually said, "I need to remember this so I can write about it." 
Macy, I took this photo of the outside of the tree for you - these trails are made by the beetles (with a name that I can't find in my notes right now) in the trees. Their paths reminded me of your Khipus.
This tree had been struck by lightening and had already died when this tunnel was cut through. People used to drive their buggies through here 100 years ago when this was a toll road!Two hours later, we reunited with Neil and Eleni, ate a picnic lunch, and then hopped in the car.
Driving through Yosemite towards the eastern gate is a peaceful experience (in contrast to the Valley drive with so many other people around). We were amazed at how quickly the terrain changes here. Not only were we changing our elevation by the thousands within a tiny span of 10 minutes, but the natural transformations were mind-blowing!
However, the kids missed most of this. Alex's first nap on the trip (due to cold weather last night in the tent...we were all a bit tired and out of it today!)
Across from Nicely's restaurant in Lee-Irving near Mono Lake (don't worry, it's not a real bear)And then straight to Bishop, CA. Laundry, pool, and dinner at Jakes. And zombie sleep in a cheap motel- bliss!
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