Oct. 29: Sequoia NP

It was quite a drive from our hotel until the official exit to Yosemite. With the government shutdown occuring, there was nobody at the entrance/exit. So right now it's free to come in. However, many of the services the national parks provide are not available. And since it's "shoulder season," (between Labor Day and Thanksgiving), a lot of the concessions are also closed. But there's still a lot to do -- the concessions provide a few services (horseback riding, shuttle buses, etc.) No climbing permits are being issued and some people are taking advantage to climb El Capitan since no permit is required at this time. Apparently there are a lot more climbers than usual. We talked to one couple and they said that it's always "Rocktober" as this is the best time to do climbs. This couple wasn't going to El Capitan, but to Washington Column, near the inn.

It took about 4 hours to get to Sequoia. Many, many winding roads. Luckily my usual motion sickness did not kick in. We made a couple restroom stops, a gas stop, and listened to my Apple Music playlists. I lost internet (for GPS) briefly but we knew the route anyway.

This  stop was a King's Canyon overlook. It's near Sequoia.

Yay! we made it!

The start of the big trees.

The moon shining over the trees.

We stayed in a lodge room here

Lobby and bar

I made a friend. He knew I was tired.

So our sojourn in California comes to an end. Tomorrow we head back to Las Vegas. But first -- we plan to see the General Sherman tree, the largest single stem tree by volume, in the world! 

I'm not looking forward to the 7 hour drive, but I am looking forward to sleeping in my own bed!