A mere 6 hr drive landed us in King's Canyon National Park, just east of Fresno, California.

Being that my better half was a world away for a month working overseas, I had decided to take my kids for a fairly easy short trip to Grant Grove. Visiting the Sequoia's is always a treat and I had heard many years ago the rustic cabins are great.

Fortunately we could travel mid-week which means there were openings for the days I wanted (I reserved only a month ahead) because the camp and cabin weekends usually reserve almost a year ahead for anything Sequoia/Yosemite/Yellowstone related.

What a deal! We used the least costly cabin (about $70/night) for two double beds, sheets and blankets and towels. Showers and flush toilets were in an uncroweded common bath house 50 steps away, used only by the other rustic cabin renters. No electricity but propane/gas stoves allowed (like Coleman).

The verdict?
Highly satisfied! There were enough trails, programs, and time to relax for all of us. The memories and experience were many times worth the budget cost.

Highlights?
Walks to Sequoia trees still amaze. There was a guided walk everyday which we actually missed.



I splurged on a 2-hr horseback ride for my daughter. Also worth every penny!

Casual photo class by a young ranger, my kids were interested.



I planned to bring some meals, and buy a couple. Not able to find my husband's high tech camp stove, I pulled out my OLD Bleuet propane canister backpack burner. It hadn't been used for 10 years and I didn't think I could even get a canister easily but Big 5 Sport right in town had 2 and I snagged them on the way!

Boiled water for morning coffee, tea and soup. Guess what else it was good for?



Oh, and there was a full blown restaurant, market and pizza room another 50 steps away. Easy! We had one dinner and one pizza, the first kinda pricey but we all had kid's meals and the latter reasonably priced and GOOD! The pizza room ran a video movie every night. We saw 'The Last Mimsy' (ever heard of it? good kid's movie).

Thinking the nights would be cold and the linens unsatisfactory, I packed extra sleeping bags, pillows and towels. We never used them.

So THAT'S WHY I LIVE IN CALIFORNIA!' (*slaps head*) oh yea...