Back from an extra long weekend out to the country to escape the fireworks noise for my dog.
One of the days we took a day trip to the Mineral King part of Sequoia National Park. This is a little visited, lesser known valley at the south end, and is accessed by a separate (long windy) road than the Giant Forest.
Wonderful!
1. Packed lunches and jumped about at a picnic table under a huge redwood, the first my 7-y-o has seen.
2. Spotted a large wild blackberry patch along the way and stopped to pick several cups full (one for the cup, one for the kid).
3. There was no entrance fee!? The Mineral King portion is remote enough to not warrant a visitor booth, although there is a full ranger station at the main area.
4. Walked a 1 mile nature hike twice. Once up and once back. Of course, words cannot give you the feeling of being in the high country. Far far away from the familiar life (cars, buildings, electricity). Plentiful butterflies, babbling creek and small waterfalls.
5. Got close to a deer.
6. Saw a bear on the drive out, lumbering across the road. Another priceless experience for my kids.
Costs? $55 in gas. And a pizza dinner for four in Three Rivers on the way home.
Rich Experiences Low Costs
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