Family Vacation Part Two: Big Trees State Park

While in California we wanted to see the giant Sequoias. We did not want to drive to the coast, however.

Insert Big Trees State Park.

The giant trees here are not quite as tall as their coastal counterparts, but what they lack in height they make up for in mass. Regardless, they were quite impressive.

This is Discovery Stump. It was the first tree discovered in this area. Early settlers decided to cut it down. The stump has been used as a dance floor and a bowling lane. Early Environmentalist were not happy about it. After it was cut down the rings were counted and it was discovered to be a virtual baby in tree years. Had it been left to grow it could have likely been the tallest tree in the area.

I made the boys dance on it for old times sake.

We spent a lot of time in this position.

My little tree huggers.

Tyson was fascinated with the pine cones. He really wanted to bring one home. But since they discourage removing anything from the park, he had to settle for a picture.

Our hiking group: My mom and dad, my grandma, Tyson, Preston and me. (Dan and Nolan are taking the picture.)

Playing inside a hollow log

They had these cool reclining benches so you could attempt to see the tops of the trees,

without having to crane your neck.

This tree is called the Father of the Forest. It had already fallen when these trees were first discovered. It has been studied over the years as it has decayed. It is hollowed out enough that you can walking through it. We declined this opportunity due to the river of mud running through it. To give a little perspective on how enormous this tree is I am standing at the roots taking this picture. My mom and boys are standing at the top end of the tree. If you squint you can kind of make them out.
This was Tyson's favorite tree, the Pioneer Cabin Tree. Not only was it cool to walk under, but it also signalled the end of our 1.6 mile hike.