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Sequoia & Yosemite Nat'l Parks
  • Martha Sleutel

Sequoia & Yosemite Nat'l Parks

This wilderness encompasses living giants of ancient trees; plus mountains, waterfall, rivers, and canyons. Read more
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  • Trip start
    May 18, 2024
    Martha SleutelSequoia & Yosemite Nat'l ParksMartha Sleutel
    Luna did not want us to leave!
    Hedge of jade plants taller than me!One of many types of sedum, seemingly on steroids

    Monterrey and Salinas

    May 18, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F

    The flight from DFW to Monterrey was smooth and easy. We hadn't realized how small the Monterrey airport is! One terminal! Deplaning was via a ramp to the tarmac, then across the pavement into the airport. No jetway or passenger boarding bridge here! In the old days, we deplaned via stairs, so a ramp was a step-up from that (pun intended!). The rental cars were just a few steps inside the airport, so getting a car was quick, easy, and convenient.

    Breezy 50-60 degree temperatures were a delightful (if chilly) switch from our Texas heat. We drove along the scenic coast, then through serious agricultural areas enroute to Salinas, where we stayed the night. Fields and fields of artichokes! Other crops, too, but artichokes were the surprise. Fruit stands were selling strawberries and cherries.

    Walking around the area, I was reminded yet again of what a gardeners' paradise this climate is. Walking past green hedges, I stopped in wonder that it was jade plants 6 feet tall with stems as thick as a small tree! We saw lovely purple flowers spikes 4 feet tall, and realized it was a type of sedum. I just took a few pics around the hotel today.    Read more

  • Martha SleutelSequoia & Yosemite Nat'l ParksMartha Sleutel
    Exiting a smaller talus cave earlier on the trail
    Charlie entering the main cave (the only area with a railing!)Nice flat floor area allowed me to take a picture. But we had to stoop to get under those rocks!Another flat area - we climbed up, over and around, even in darkness!An area of the cave trail with lots of lightCharlie made it through!Finally, coming out!Charlie ahead of me as we exit the caveI made it!

    Pinnacles NP - Balconies Cave Trail

    May 19, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F

    The cave part of this trail, rated "easy", was, in fact, very challenging for us. It was a rock and boulder scramble of about 1/8 of a mile, sometimes in complete darkness. Other parts were partly or even well -illuminated with shafts of light. Footing was iffy - smooth slopes of boulders, rocky paths with us stooped over beneath boulders, and all of it narrow. We had a flashlight (of course Charlie did!!!), but I needed both hands to climb up or down boulders and rocks. We only took a few pics, and only in the areas where my footing was stable. The pics DO NOT show the rock scramble parts - narrow, dark, up, down, around, and over heaps of rocks and boulders!Read more

  • Martha SleutelSequoia & Yosemite Nat'l ParksMartha Sleutel
    Getting started in the park
    View from the valley floorHeading to the Balconies Cliffs TrailView of the Pinnacles from the trailCharlie with 2 walking sticks along the trailSheer mountain cliffs along the trailPinnacles with some type of lupineJuniper Canyon TrailMasses of pink flowers along the trails

    Pinnacles National Park

    May 19, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 54 °F

    What a surprise! This national park is one of the nation's oldest - who knew? The unique landscape has rock spires, canyons and rare talus caves - gaps in boulders and rocks that fill narrow canyons. We were very pleasantly surprised at the trails, mountains, wildflowers and scenery.Read more

  • Martha SleutelSequoia & Yosemite Nat'l ParksMartha Sleutel
    The elephant seals on the beach behind me look like rocks!
    Juvenile elephant seals playing and lounging on the sandMost of the elephant seals lay stacked together in the sand.Very few were swimmingOur scenic little hike to Salmon Creek FallsLots of boulders to scamper over and aroundCharlie getting closer to the fallsSalmon Creek Falls2See that blue dot? That is Charlie descending the cliffsideHe made it to the beach (look hard for blue dot)

    Elephant Seals & Hikes North of Cambria

    May 20, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 54 °F

    We are staying in Cambria, a charming town of historic buildings, little shops, and delectable eateries on the Pacific coast. We began the day at the Elephant Seal Vista Point, where we saw hundreds of elephant seals. This is their molting time, so they stay on the beach while their hide sloughs off and they grow a new layer of skin. (Who knew?)

    Further north on highway 1 was a short trail with the 3 Rs - rocks, roots, and ruts. And uphill. The trail roughly followed Salmon Creek to a boulder-strewn area with a waterful. We explored a side trail for a short way, but noticed the trail became increasingly overgrown with poison oak. Needless to say, we turned around!

    Our last stop of the morning was Jade Beach Trail, only 1/2 mile. But - Straight downhill - from a cliff! I went partway down (the more gradual - 30 degree slope), but I balked as it got steeper and I saw you needed a rope to get to the bottom. Hard "no". The photos show Charlie going down the trail, then on the rocky beach.    Read more

  • Martha SleutelSequoia & Yosemite Nat'l ParksMartha Sleutel
    Morro Rock and beach
    Momma and baby ground squirrels next to Morro RockGull tries to steal the sea otter's meal (he had mussels)!All along the roadside, we saw massive clumps of these beautiful purple flowers, "Pride of Madeira"Close-up of Pride of Madeira flower spikes

    Morro Rock Beach & more along the coast

    May 20, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F

    After a late lunch, we explored areas North of Cambria. Photos are from the coast highway, and of Morro Rock, a massive mountain of an island sticking up from the Pacific next to the town of the same name. We had fun watching the sea otters dive down for food, then float on their backs to eat it.Read more

  • Martha SleutelSequoia & Yosemite Nat'l ParksMartha Sleutel
    Fiscalini Preserve - great trails through pine forest
    The preserve includes acres of beach and trails along the bluffsThere were many uniquely carved benches. Just one chair, though!View of Kaweah River at entrance to Sequoia Nat'l ParkPictographs from native Indians at Hospital Rock (a trapper healed from an injury there)Charlie walking under Tunnel Rock

    Fiscalini Preserve, Cambria to Sequoia

    May 21, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 55 °F

    We discovered a hidden treasure in Cambria as we were leaving! Surrounded on 3 sides by the city is over 400 hilly acres of forest and grassland. Fiscalini Preserve was saved from development and has well-maintained hiking trails through thickets, pine forest, open meadows, coastal bluffs, and... the Pacific beach/shoreline (with fabulous views)! We hiked through the forests and meadows for about an hour before leaving Cambria.

    The drive to Three Rivers took us through the Central/San Joaquin valley of CA - dry and brown for miles except for green, irrigated fields of crops and orchards. Our cabin is just outside the entrance to Sequoia National Park. After getting settled, we went to the visitor center for information for tomorrow.

    Pics are of the nature preserve in Cambria, and some views from Sequoia near the entrance. It is a 45-minute to 2-hour drive to the scenic hiking areas with giant trees and waterfalls, so we are saving those for our full days.    Read more

  • Martha SleutelSequoia & Yosemite Nat'l ParksMartha Sleutel
    These weren't the biggest, but they sure are big!
    Base of tree with old fire damageOpen meadow shows off their heightI'm in there. Look at the base of the tree!Charlie liked this tree trunkI almost got the whole tree!A little grove. Without a person, you can't see how big they are!This one had character.I'm in there for scale

    Giant Forest Grove

    May 22, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 54 °F

    In the morning, we strolled along several paved, hilly trails at the Giant Forest Grove, about 3 miles. Since this area is in the mountains at 7000 feet, it was in the 40s in the morning, warming to 60s. The weather overall is delightful. Fun fact - sequoias are the largest trees in the world. They live in the sub-alpine areas of California. Redwoods live near the coast and are the tallest. Pics are of the sequoias we saw today, and one of us is often in the pics for scale.Read more

  • Martha SleutelSequoia & Yosemite Nat'l ParksMartha Sleutel
    Kaweah River next to trail
    Many areas of cascading waterBoulder-strewn riverGentle incline of trail.Crossing some snow in the trailCharlie on the rocky, cliffside part of the trail. Note the long cascading waterfall and snowCharlie atop a boulder.Waterful with snow patches on mountainThundering falls and curtains of falls

    Tokopah Falls Trail

    May 22, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F

    Well, we overdid it! After lunch and visiting with park rangers about trails, we embarked on the Tokopah Falls Trail - utterly gorgeous. At an altitude of 7500 feet, the rocky path followed the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River through lovely forests and meadows. Up, up, and up we hiked next to the river, then up to granite cliffs (500 foot elevation gain in 1.7 miles). This is described as an "easy incline", but whooo-boy, it wasn't easy for me. Thank goodness, the weather was perfect - about 60 degrees with a gentle breeze and blue skies.

    The last 1/4 mile was through a boulder field/cliffside. Young folks easily leaped from rock to rock, enthusiastically scrambling over boulders, and relaxing at the cliff's edge. We (I) slowly and carefully picked our way, stopping often (OK, really often) to rest. It took awhile and I wasn't graceful, but we made it!

    Returning downhill was much faster, but still required caution with our footing. (More me than Charlie. OK, mostly me). We are both a bit footsore and tired. The entire cascading waterfall is 1200 feet. You can see the entire thing in one photo, but the rocky cliffside was very bright, and there were patches of snow, so it is hard to see which is the waterfall and which is snow. Pics show the spectacular scenery!    Read more

  • Martha SleutelSequoia & Yosemite Nat'l ParksMartha Sleutel
    Near the cave entrance
    A river/small stream runs through the caveStream in one section of caveStalagmitesStalagmites that look like curtain drapesCurtain drapes line the wallsThe Christmas tree formationMore drapery stalagtitesThe wedding cakeLight from cave entrance

    Boyden Cave

    May 23, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 46 °F

    Boyden cave is the deepest river-cut cave in the US. The mountains of Kings Canyon are made of marble, and this cave was formed about 100,000 years ago. In the 1800s, a logger found the cave, explored it, and lived in it off and on. It is now owned by the Forest Service. There is a VERY steep walk to the cave entrance about 200 feet above the valley floor.Read more

  • Martha SleutelSequoia & Yosemite Nat'l ParksMartha Sleutel
    I'm at the bottom of these sequoias.
    Us in front of the famous General Grant treeGrove of sequoiasKings Canyon with view of riverKings CanyonS. Fork of Kings RiverAnother view of river from aboveGrizzly FallsOne of the stumps on Big Stump trailCharlie on top of Mark Twain stump

    Kings Canyon and Grant Grove

    May 23, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    These national parks involve a lot of driving. The roads are narrow, winding, and hilly/mountainous, with speed limits of 15-25 MPH. Grant Grove and the King Canyon visitor center is 2 hours from our cabin, and Kings Canyon itself is an hour further. The terrain is vastly different. The Grant Grove part of the park has some of the largest Sequoias in the world, and is lush, cool, and green. KC is a rugged, more arid valley more than a mile deep (deeper than the Grand Canyon). The Kings River is large and powerful, but looks tiny from the top. The western, more scenic, hikable, and more famous part of the canyon was closed. So we drove as far as we could, where there was a lovely waterfall at our turnaround point.

    Near Grant Grove is Big Stump Trail, winding through forests and meadows to an area that was logged more than 100 years ago. There are several stumps of massive logged trees, a bit of a Sequoia graveyard. Very peaceful.

    Fun fact: If the trunk on the General Grant tree was the gas tank of a car that got 25 mpg, you could drive around the earth 350 times.    Read more

  • Martha SleutelSequoia & Yosemite Nat'l ParksMartha Sleutel
    Green meadow beyond stands of sequoias
    Hollowed out Sequoia cabin from the 1800s. The owner lived there for 30 yearsSide view of Tharp's LogHilly pine forestCharlie on the trailThe hole in the Sequoia looks small, but 2 VW bugs could fit in it stackedSide view of Moro Rock1View from our table at dinner

    Crescent Meadow and Moro Rock

    May 24, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    We got up early, driving through the park to the shuttle stop at the road to the Crescent Meadow and Moro Hill area. This road had been closed, but rangers told us that the road would open to shuttles only, starting yesterday. We arrived an hour before the shuttles started and walked around the magnificent giant tree area to kill time and stay warm (40 degrees). Upon our return, we realized that the barricade was gone and cars were entering. (Not the first wrong information we have gotten here!).

    We were happy to drive to the Meadow trails area where we had the trails pretty much to ourselves. We threaded through a hilly pine forest with stands of sequoias and open meadow areas. There is even a cabin made from a hollowed-out, fallen Sequoia. Hale Tharpe is the first documented non-native American to enter the Giant Forest. He arrived in 1858 and had a seasonal grazing pasture in the meadow. Other early pioneers used the cabin, including famous naturalist John Muir.

    The trail that got away - Moro Rock is a granite monolith with steps carved into the granite so hikers can climb up. The stairway is about 800 feet long and has about 400 steps going straight up, mostly narrow and steep. We decided maybe not.

    We had an early dinner at a riverside restaurant near our cabin. Tomorrow we head to Yosemite.    Read more

  • Martha SleutelSequoia & Yosemite Nat'l ParksMartha Sleutel
    Charlie and I in front of the lower Yosemite Falls
    Lower Yosemite fallsUpper, middle (amidst the spray) and lower Yosemite FallsUpper Yosemite Falls with the Merced River in the foregroundBeautiful Cook's Meadow on the valley floorUpper and lower Yosemite Falls with Merced RiverA bear on the side of the roadGlacier Point views - Famous Nevada Falls (top) and Vernal Falls (bottom) and Merced RiverCloser view of both waterfalls from Glacier PointCharlie and I with Nevada Falls and Half Dome behind us

    Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point

    May 26–28, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F

    So we are in Yosemite National Park on Memorial Day weekend. What could possibly go wrong? (When we left our cabin outside Sequoia on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, the line to enter Sequoia was at least 3 miles long! In the 4 days we were there, the longest we had seen that line was 2 cars!). Arriving in Yosemite yesterday afternoon, like Sequoia, the line to enter here stretched miles.

    Today, we wanted to see Yosemite Falls (at the valley), and knew this major attraction would be crowded. We arrived early (around 0700) and snagged one of the few remaining parking spots. Fortunately, few people were on the falls and meadow trails. Lovely and serene.

    After enjoying the falls and meadows, we planned to go to Mirror Lake, where parking would be impossible, so we went to the shuttle stop for a shuttle ride. After waiting 30 minutes with a large crowd, a shuttle appeared, but the driver told us that none of the stops near Mirror Lake were open (construction). We decided to try to find a parking spot closer to the lake, and we endured long lines of cars with no parking available. On to Plan B.

    Glacier Point is in a completely different part of the park, away from the crowded valley. It is a promontory far above the valley at an elevation of about 7500 - 8000 feet. We headed up there, hoping to avoid crowds. After circling the lot for 30 minutes or so, Charlie parked, and off we went. There was plenty of space for people to disperse, so we could wander freely and enjoy. The vista is breathtaking, revealing the massive granite half-dome summit with tiny dots of rock climbers. Glacier Point overlooks the entire valley, famous waterfalls and snow-capped mountains. We enjoyed it a lot!

    Photos (and video) are of the valley floor (with Yosemite Falls) and Glacier Point (with drone-like images from high above the valley).    Read more

  • Martha SleutelSequoia & Yosemite Nat'l ParksMartha Sleutel
    Charlie crossing the snow
    As close as I could get to a fissureDifferent fissure with a group of kids at the edgeTaft Point with views of entire valley and sheer dropNotice the guy dangling from a ropeRight before he stood up and I looked awayCharlie safely away from the edge of a fissure

    Taft Point and the Fissures

    May 26, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    Taft Point trail was a few miles away from Glacier Point, so we drove there to hike that 2.2 mile trail. It started out forested with A LOT of snow. Some of the trail was muddy and there were 4-5 stream crossings where we balanced on rocks and logs. The out-and-back trail descended down a rocky slope and ended at the edge of an abyss with sheer drops and another spectacular view of Yosemite valley. Along the cliff edge were massive narrow cracks in the rocks (called fissures) with drops of up to 2000 feet straight down between them.

    As is typical, young adults were horsing around at the cliff's edge and fissures. There was a rope strung between two fissures, and I had to look away as one guy dangled from the rope to cross. (See picture). When he stood up on the rope with that sheer drop beneath him, I had to look away. Yikes! Unfortnately, the photos don't capture the depth and drama of the fissures very well.    Read more

  • Martha SleutelSequoia & Yosemite Nat'l ParksMartha Sleutel
    Rapids in Tenaya Creek
    Tenaya Creek along the trail to Mirror LakeTenaya Creek/Mirror Lake with vegetationReflection of sheer granite cliffs in the pond/lakeReflection with vegetation in Mirror "Lake"Charlie on the footpathWild irises along the Chilnualna Falls trailChilnualna Falls - see the numerous cascades above it obscured by treesCharlie coming down the trail, having viewed more cascades2Chilnualna Creek raging below the falls

    Mirror Lake & Chilnualna Falls Trails

    May 27, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    What a difference a day makes! Today is Monday, Memorial Day, but the park is already less crowded. (Lots of cars headed out of the park). We hiked to Mirror Lake, a delightful, somewhat hilly path next to a beautiful creek. Mirror Lake should be called Mirror Marsh. If it was once a lake, now it is a pond area and marsh. I was shocked, however, to see how much of a mirror it made, even with vegetation in it. At one point, you would swear you were looking at a cliff, not water!

    After that, we left the park on a supply mission. Our condo fridge froze all our salad greens, which are our dinners. Our condo is located within the park - very convenient - still a 30 minute drive to the valley, but as close as possible to all the main sites. It is also about an hour the other direction to the nearest town with a grocery store. Upon our return, the line to re-enter the park was about 20 cars, nothing like the probably 2-3 mile line when we arrived Saturday.

    On our way to the town, we stopped at a spectacular waterfall. Chilnualna Falls is a series of powerful cascades and falls (700 feet of them), splashing down granite cliffs and gullies. Photos cannot capture it because this long line of falls and cascades are somewhat/completely obscured by trees, rocks, vegetation, and curves in the creek.    Read more

  • Martha SleutelSequoia & Yosemite Nat'l ParksMartha Sleutel
    Hetchy Hetchy Reservoir with Tueeulala Falls and Wapama Falls
    Closer view of Tueeulala Falls and Wapama FallsWater leaving dam downstream with rainbowTamarack Falls and cascadesTamarack Falls and CascadesView of Half-Dome from the North entering Yosemite ValleyCloser view of Half-DomeBridalveil Falls and creek view from the North end of the valleyBridalveil Falls and creekCloser view of Bridalveil FallsDifferent view of Bridalveil Falls and mist

    Waterfalls and Reservoir

    May 28, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    Yosemite Valley was almost made into a reservoir in the early 1900s. The Northern part of Yosemite, Hetch Hetchy Valley, lost that fight, and was dammed in 1923 to provide water for San Francisco. John Muir tried to stop the damming of the valley and said it was his biggest disappointment. The Hetchy Hetchy reservoir is about an hour drive North of Yosemite Valley. Two of North America's tallest waterfalls plummet over 1000-foot granite cliffs into the HH reservoir. The area was bright, hot, and glaringly exposed with the granite cliffs.

    After walking across the dam and along the reservoir, we picnicked before driving back to Yosemite Valley. Along the way, we stopped to admire more waterfalls and cascades plunging down the cliffs lining the road.

    Back in the valley, we stopped by the iconic Bridalveil Falls next to the valley loop road.    Read more

  • Martha SleutelSequoia & Yosemite Nat'l ParksMartha Sleutel
    McGurk Meadow
    Me carefully using rocks and logs to avoid the waterCharlie climbing over piles of logs and brushMe climbing over log piles in the trailOur lunchtime view, serenaded by gentle flute musicLupine (bluebonnets to us) were everywhere in the valleysAfternoon view of upper, lower, and middle Yosemite FallsLower Yosemite Falls with rushing streamUpper Yosemite Falls and Merced RiverMerced River and Half Dome

    McGurk Meadow & Iconic Yosemite

    May 29, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    For our last day in Yosemite, we hiked an "easy" trail, McGurk Meadow, close to Glacier Point at about 7500 feet. It started out with a lot of snow (high altitude) and lovely forests. Then the fallen tree obstacle course began. Not sure why, but there were piles of dead trees across the path in numerous places. The meadow areas were green and lush, although it is too early for wildflowers. Many parts of the trail were muddy, and some parts were flooded. Despite the challenges, it was beautiful and serene.

    We had a picnic lunch at Glacier Point with the stunning vista before us. For whatever reason, someone was playing a flute, so we were serenaded, too! Perfection.

    In the afternoon, we returned to Yosemite Valley to enjoy those views one last time.    Read more

  • Martha SleutelSequoia & Yosemite Nat'l ParksMartha Sleutel
    2McWay Falls and cove
    Closer view of McWay Falls (also called a tidefall)Charlie on the path beside Partington Creek, Tanbark TrailWild vinca (periwinkle)Cascading Creek and redwood grovesMe atop a boulder overlooking the creekPartington Creek and redwoodMe balancing on a log to avoid a muddy trailUnidentified and unusual flower near trailDouglas Iris

    Big Sur, Part 1

    May 31, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F

    Big Sur is the fog-shrouded, rugged, mountainous coastline South of Carmel. Charlie organized numerous scenic sites with short hikes and dramatic views. Our first stop was a foggy view of McWay Beach and waterfall. The 80-foot waterfall from the cliff to the cove was gorgeous.

    An easier stroll took us up Tanbark Trail at Partington Canyon, alongside a lush creek and cascades lined with cliffs and redwoods. Wildflowers were an delightful bonus.    Read more

  • Martha SleutelSequoia & Yosemite Nat'l ParksMartha Sleutel
    Pink phlox clings to the cliffs
    View from cliffs to oceanIndian paintbrush and purple asters on the rocky bluffCharlie on the rocky trail, framed by tree limbsWild, craggy coastlineSucculents and flowers nestled in boulder crevicesViews of Pacific from pathCliffside with flowers

    Big Sur, Part 2

    May 31, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F

    Our last stop was Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, with dramatic rock formations, seaside cliffs, and gnarled Monterrey cypress trees. Home to sea lions, otters, and harbor seals, we could hear the sea lions "barking" as we walked along the incredibly scenic cliffs overlooking the Pacific. What an impressive area!Read more

  • Martha SleutelSequoia & Yosemite Nat'l ParksMartha Sleutel
    Fifth time on the trip to see deer
    Pacific view from 17-mile driveAnother roadside viewThe rugged Pacific coastSea Lion Point Trail viewCliffside view with flowersBird Island Trail view of sea cave/tunnel in rockCloser view of sea caveA rocky arch

    Carmel, Pebble Beach, & Big Sur

    June 1, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F

    Today is our last day in California, so we did some final exploring. We roamed around Old Town, and drove to Carmel and the famous 17-mile drive through Pebble Beach. Being a Saturday, Carmel was crowded with no place to park. The houses were charming, but the lines of cars on the narrow streets was not enticing, and we did not linger. The 17-mile drive was a winding, scenic road, lined with wealthy, gated mansions that went past a few scenic overlooks and the Pebble Beach golf course. We lamented driving in lines of cars and tour buses, while being restricted in where to stop for scenic views. (It is a rich folks' playground, so they have to keep the riff-raff [us] out).

    The 17-mile drive did not impress us and Point Lobos (from yesterday) absolutely enchanted us, so we returned there at the end of the day. We strolled along the cliff sides again. We saw deer (again) and lots of rabbits, one pair quite amorous. Charlie spotted black-crowned herons in their nests on the rocky bluffs. As he watched in the binoculars, he saw one leave the nest, and the mate take its place. As they changed places, he saw 2 blue eggs. It was an impressive ending to the day.    Read more

  • Martha SleutelSequoia & Yosemite Nat'l ParksMartha Sleutel
    No idea what this beauty is!
    Mexican Bush Sage, colors NOT enhanced. Why don't mine look like this?Another unknown (to me) show-stopper!A bit blurry, but I love the bee!Unusual, and of course, I don't know what it is!Massive succulent with 5-foot tall begonia bush in backgroundThese beauties were everywhere!Unidentified orange flower, begonias and Shasta daisiesPineapple guava bushThis flower was in full glaring sun, and look at the butterfly!

    Flowers in Monterrey

    June 1, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F

    The brilliantly-colored, huge, and exotic-looking flowers are a good ending to this trip. Plants and flowers seem to be on steroids here! As we strolled around Old Town today, I clicked a few pics of some amazing flowers. The last one was not taken in Monterrey, but in the arid Northern part of Yosemite. There were lots of butterflies in that area, and one is in that pic.Read more

  • Martha SleutelSequoia & Yosemite Nat'l ParksMartha Sleutel

    Almost Home .... Then Finally Home!!!

    June 2, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F

    Our flight from Monterrey was a bit late leaving, but a pleasant flight After 3 hours of flight time, we were oh, so close to DFW! Then we noticed the sun on the wrong side of the plane... I told Charlie we were flying West and he said, "That can't be right!". Then the pilot announced there was a ground stop at DFW due to thunderstorms. We were being diverted to Midland! Yikes! Land of brown sand and miles of oil derricks.

    Right after we arrived, the ground stop was lifted, but now we had to wait our turn to refuel. We stayed on the tarmack for about 2 hours before taking off again. We arrived home around 11 PM, and Luna was ecstatic! It's good to be home!    Read more

    Trip end
    June 3, 2024
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