The Falls

Living in a National Forest definitely comes with its perks. For example, there are beautiful woods all around me and I have quickly found some friends that love exploring them just as much as me. Our first hike was up to Tokopah falls (may be misspelled).  

It was a four mile hike all the way to the falls, but it was well worth it. The hike up was absolutely beautiful. Lush green foliage the entire way up, accented with huge boulders. Not to mention the ragging river to our right. As one might expect, we did see our share of wildlife, with a total of two deer. The deer here are practically tame so we where able to get a close up look. The girl in the blue was actually running this same trial a few days after and actually tripped over a deer, and I was also able to get about five yards away from a buck.  

Anyways, back to our trip. After hiking for a little over an hour we finally made it to the top. The view was absolutely incredible. While I could attempt to explain the beauty, I believe a picture will give it more justice.

As you might be able to see it was starting to get dark, so we took our group picture and headed back down.

As we began our decent we pulled out flashlights out as it quickly became to dark to see much. The hike down took a bit longer than getting up, but we made it back all the same. As we walked out into the parking lot we noticed the beauty above us. We proceeded to lay down on the warm parking lot and we enjoyed the sparklingly stars above.
Since Hiking up to the falls we have gone on many hikes and have just about explored all the woods surrounding our new home. I look forward to the opportunity to make it down the mountain a bit in order to explore more. Thank you for all your prayers and I'll be sure to keep you posted on all that it going down here in Sequoia National Forest.

Welcome...to my backyard

Have you ever been left behind on accident while on a family trip? Personally, I can't say I have, but that's what I was thinking of as my dad and Rosanne drove off leaving me in a National Park. As weird as I initially felt those feelings quickly faded.
First let me share with you just a few photos of the drive up the mountain.

The view up the mountain

 Road under construction

As should anyone in a National Forrest, the first thing I did was explored my new home. Trying to describe the wonders surrounding me would be almost impossible, so here are just a few pictures of my new home...  

  Home/work

The river right behind Lodgepole 

So there you are, just a few pictures of my new home. I couldn't load all the pictures here on my blog, but more will be located on my facebook. 

So as pretty as my new home is, unfortunately it comes with no internet and no cell service. In order to get on the internet I must make it two miles up the mountain to Wuksachi lodge. In short, don't expect me to pick up if you call, because my cell phone is now just an expensive watch and don't expect me to be on the internet much because I will probably be limited to once a week, but I will do my best to keep you all updated.   

Cool Breezes to Blazin' sun!

In less than a full days time I have successfully made it from Pentwater, Michigan all the way West to California City, California. What a day. I don't believe I will ever be fond of traveling via jet plane, even if the only reason I possess is the outlandish price it costs one to fly across the country. As you might imagine, it also completely messes up one's sleep schedule. I woke up around 6:30 this morning and the first thing that crossed my mind was, "What am I doing up so early!" It didn't take long to recall the three hour time change from here to Michigan.
It's odd that as I departed early yesterday morning I was content with the temperature. It was a bit nippy, but it was evident that it was going to be a beautiful day. As I strolled out into the LA sun I realized, here too was great weather. It was a bit warmer than Michigan, but surprisingly not much. Riding into the valley is another story. Here in the Mojave Desert it is already getting up to 100 degrees. Some say they don't enjoy a hot humid day, well I doubt they have ever experienced a hot dry day. It draws any water right out of a person. Luckily, I will only have to endure this blazing sun for a couple more days, for I am headed to the Mountains!   
Oh also, one last thing. I had In-N-Out, booya!