Wednesday:
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks/CA:
Our elevation was over 7600 feet today.  We learned this park actually boasts of the highest elevation (14,490 feet) in the continental US!  Kinda glad we didn't climb that far on this trip though...my ears were plugged as it was.  Parts of the drive were still closed for ice and snow.  I think their prime season actually starts in May...nevertheless there were still people camping and a good number of tourists from all over the world in to see these majestic trees.  

Today's drive fell into about six phases.
 
PHASE ONE:  Ascending the mountain...we enjoyed a beautiful climb on a sunny day and saw mountain streams rippling and so many breathtaking views!

PHASE TWO:  The wait...when stopping at the Visitors Centers they all warned of road work ahead and that the timing for getting through this situation was paramount.  We arrived at the location of the roadwork, parked and got out to walk around a bit.  The wait was almost an hour, but it went quickly since the park goers stood around and chatted and also because the Flag Men were very public friendly, so we learned a lot from them.  There was a narrow margin of time they would allow the cars through and if you didn't make it for that, there was a two hour wait.  It was all strictly done to the minute.

PHASE THREE:  Drive through the rough one lane roadwork area.

PHASE FOUR:  Sequoia trees area....drive and walk path....really amazing....we learned their root system is only about 3 feet deep!  Therefore the public isn't allowed near them because of eroding the base soil around them.

PHASE FIVE:  Fog...about 20 miles of it.

PHASE SIX:  Decent drive on other side of mountain where the terrain was lush green and very springlike...and on to dinner out at Chili's with a little stop at Target on the way back, just for fun.
A particularly impressive day...one I  won't forget...exciting terrain and new territory for us. (click on Sequioa National Park for photos)