Sequoia National Park

At dusk a couple nights ago we were feeling the first cool breeze in a long time as we rose in elevation, winding up a mountain through Sequoia National Park. We felt like kids at a candy store, "Trees! Trees EVERYWHERE!" as the desert began to feel like a memory. Eric was itching to give one a hug, but it's a good thing we didn't get out of the car because an adolescent brown bear scampered across the street right in front of us. Her fur had a blonde tinge and it rippled as her muscles propelled her up the mountain. She was panting and barely glanced at us as she went on her way. This was my first glimpse of a bear in the wild, but later that night I was going to experience more then I bargained for.

We pull up to the ranger station and she says, "There's been a mountain lion sighting in this campground within the week and we just want to give you some advice: Do not play dead. They will see you as prey. Do not jog alone, especially at dusk through dawn. You must assert yourself by making loud noises. Also, you must put everything scented into a bear box and this includes: cosmetics, first aid supplies, food, trash, cooler (even if empty), everything that has a scent." Me and Eric exchange a look of apprehension.

We didn't see a mountain lion, but we were soon greeted by fellow campers who warn us that it was our sight where it was seen a couple days ago. We set up camp with our eyes more sharp then usual as the night comes on heavy and black. Once our tent is up, we sink into our fold-out chairs to take a breath, but it's short-lived as a child's scream pierces the night and we jump to our feet. We peek down the hill to our neighbors camp site to see what the commotion is about. An old man is bellowing a low guttural sound and several children are clinging to their mom, crying. Then Eric sees a black bear galloping toward us. Eric caught his yellow eyes in the beam of his flashlight and he was staring him dead in the eyes. He grabbed my hand and we ran down the hill, which is when I saw the huge shadow heading in the direction of our tent. The entire campground was now alive with pots clanking and whistles blowing and still the grandpa with his raw animal call. This went on for about ten minutes until the bear had disappeared into the forest. Campers came by to check on us and further warn us that this bear has a tendency to sniff each tent every night, but not to worry because this is all that ever happens. Despite the warning, we both slept soundly, missing the rounds of the curious bear.

The next morning we woke up and walked the Big Trees Trail, marveling at 4,000-year-old trees and seeing Sherman, the biggest tree in the world. We passed meadows laced with colorful wildflowers, shaded by the towering Sequoias. We were in awe that these gargantuan trees kept appearing around the corner, one after another after another... We saw two male mule deer grazing by a fallen tree near the meadow and we sat on a stump to watch them, while I silently snapped pictures. After this we drove to Yosemite to catch the sunset over Half Dome. We're here now, lucky enough to stay two nights in the busy summer season. I will end with this humorous list that me and Eric made to give you guys a chuckle:

Things We're Becoming Too Good At:

1. Filling the radiator with fluid
2. Driving without a rear view mirror
3. Jumping fences
4. Schmoozing hotel staff to give us a room
5. Seeing showers as luxury
6. Putting on sunscreen in less than 30 seconds
7. Dialing AAA service number from memory
8. Wearing the same outfits for 4 days straight
9. Sorting through rotten foods to make meals
10. Making meals out of gas station food
11. Packing
12. Unpacking
13. Washing feet in sink
14. Waking up at dawn
15. Relating to tow-truck drivers
16. U-turns
17. Eavesdropping on tourists
18. Sleeping on the ground
19. Making swimwear out of undergarments
20. Peeing outdoors
21. Amusing ourselves with road signs
22. Getting stranded in the desert
23. Hording water in coolant jugs
24. Using a plastic fork as a spatula