Martine from DD in Arizona and New Mexico (page 3 of 4)

Hello 🙂 Microwave. Really handy if breakfast isn’t included or for reheating leftovers. Have a great day! Marcalamar 🙂

Okay, thanks. Actually, in my round trips, I’ve always found microwaves 😉 I don’t stay in motels. So, no comparison possible.

Best regards.

So sad about the Twin Arrow Trading Post... I saw the site in perfect condition with both arrows. And two or three years ago, I witnessed the destruction. The second arrow was completely destroyed next to it (apparently on purpose, since there were several arrow pieces). Without a doubt, some drunk guys—judging by the empty bottles and the building tagged in a pretty gross way...

Anyway, it’d be great if a real artist could turn this ruin into a truly beautiful painting.

Hi there 🙂 It really tugs at the heartstrings to see this, even without having known it when it was still in use. We saw this in Tucumcari and at Fort Courage. It’s heartbreaking when you realize nothing’s being done to preserve all these memories of times gone by. In a few years, there’ll be nothing left, and those who lived through them will be gone too. Marcalamar 🙂

Day 18, September 26 – Flagstaff to Sedona Sugar Loaf Lodge.424 € for 3 nights in this quiet little lodge, a bit out of the way. Microwave, fridge, pool, and spa on the route to the hikes we were interested in. Breakfast isn’t served, but every morning we found cereal bars, fruit, fruit juices, and hot drinks at reception to take back to our room.

We left Flagstaff at 6:40 AM. We were supposed to stay in Sedona for 3 nights to enjoy its hikes and red rocks, but terrible weather was forecast until Monday. After struggling to plan our stay, I now had to rethink everything because of the rain. According to the weather, rain wasn’t expected until noon today. There’s one hike we really wanted to do—the Subway—which starts along the same path as the Boynton Canyon Trail. We changed our plans and decided to do it first. We left Flagstaff under a gray sky, unfortunately heading toward the darkest clouds. No time for the stops I’d planned on the way to Sedona—we needed to finish the hike before the rain arrived.

The road winds through pine trees (a deer crossed right in front of us!) before descending in beautiful curves between stunning red cliffs and a pretty drop-off. We could see mist rising from the trees. Despite the overcast sky, the rocks were a vibrant red. A blue jay flew by! What a gorgeous drive. There were patches of blue sky, but a few raindrops started to fall. The Subway At 8 AM, we started the hike. The highlight of this roughly 9 km (round trip) hike is reaching a cavern carved into the canyon, forming a tunnel that opens up to reveal an incredible landscape. The trail begins with a gentle climb through the forest on a sandy path, with some slide rock here and there, surrounded by red cliffs and rock formations in surprising shapes. Red, white, green—it’s stunning. We came across these amazing manzanita bushes with branches that look varnished. The trail then veers right, and the slope gets steeper for about 800 meters (a huge juniper tree, nicknamed "the alligator" because of its trunk, helped us find our way since the trail isn’t well-marked). A hiker we met on the path had mentioned an ephemeral arrow made of wood on the ground to mark the turnoff. The cave came into view, and that’s when things got tricky. To reach this high-up cave, you either had to go left and follow a narrow ledge above the drop-off on this big rock, or climb a steep, slippery rock wedged between two cliffs with few handholds.

We opted for the climb—I wasn’t too keen on walking above the void. I tried the right side first. At first, it was easy, but it quickly got steeper with no handholds. It was as slippery as a fart on a waxed floor—I wasn’t getting anywhere that way. I climbed back down and tried the left crack. Ugh, my feet struggled to find footholds, and my hands couldn’t grip anything to pull myself up. Luckily, DD was there to cheer me on and give me a push. I was halfway up! No way was I giving up now—I was too close. Finally, I found a foothold, and up I went. For DD, it was a breeze! The reward was worth the effort—it was so beautiful, with mountains visible through the cave’s opening. The sun shone in, and the light played off the red walls. A kind older man was there to give climbers advice and take photos for those who wanted to capture the moment. So nice! It was still early, and there were very few people, so we could take our time. We spent 40 minutes admiring the view Mother Nature offered. Okay, time to head back down. I was a little nervous, but we had gear—a small strap. After a few hesitations, wedged in the crack, the descent was much easier and less stressful than the climb. We made it down. Since we’d left early, we had plenty of time for both the climb and photos in the Subway. A very kind American woman took a souvenir photo for us.

We did it! We started the descent under the sun. We passed more and more hikers heading up to the cave. It was going to get crowded up there, and the wait would be long for those who started late—especially since the sky was clouding over again. Even when the rock was dry, it wasn’t easy, and climbing the wet slide rock would’ve been impossible for me. An amazing hike. It took us 3 hours and 20 minutes round trip. Watch out—the parking lot is small and fills up quickly.

Day 18 Sedona (continued) Chapel of the Holy Cross We escaped the rain, but the clouds rolled in, and the sky turned a uniform gray as we arrived at the parking lot. We headed toward the chapel just as the rain started to gently fall. Perched on a promontory, this modern chapel built in 1956 is the perfect spot to admire the sunset and the surrounding nature—but today, the bad weather had other plans. We were lucky to find a parking spot not far from the road leading to the chapel. Despite the large windows, the interior—usually so bright—was very dark because of the weather. And the red rocks looked muted.

We decided to head to the Red Rock Visitor Center near Bell Rock to grab some brochures when suddenly, the elements unleashed: thunder, lightning, downpour. We also needed to check the weekend weather to plan our days accordingly.

I thought about all the hikers we’d met on the way down from the Subway. They must not be having a great time. By the time we picked up the brochures, checked the weather, and had our picnic sheltered at the visitor center, the skies cleared again—letting us imagine we were in Mexico, in the little village of Tlaquepaque. It’s so nice to stroll through art galleries (weaving, painting, sculpture, etc.) and shops. Courtyards, tall trees with strange shapes,

fountains, and arches. The change of scenery is immediate and so pleasant. We headed back to the lodge for a little spa time, still under the sun, and stayed there until 5:15 PM, when we went to watch the sunset near the airport, lighting up the mountains.

Day 18: Sedona (continued) Airport viewpoint Since we arrived at Tlaquepaque, the sun hasn’t left us, and it’s the perfect time to head to the Scenic Lookout at the airport to watch the sunset. It’s one of the recommended spots to fully enjoy it. We figured it’d be crowded, so we got there well ahead of time. When we arrived, the (paid) parking lot was already pretty full, and people were starting to gather on the elevated flat area where we set up. The panorama in front of us was stunning, with a series of rocky spires in gorgeous shades of red and ochre. A panoramic table labeled each one: The Teapot, The Sphinx, Chimney Rock, Capitol Butte... We tried to match the names to their shapes. We ended up staying for hours, chatting with others and watching the rocks light up as the minutes ticked by. It was breathtaking. At 5:30 PM, the mountain was still in shadow, and the sun—setting at 6:15 PM—was still high in the sky.

The first rays light up the spires Getting brighter and brighter Until they glow completely red 7:04 PM, everything’s darkened again But even though the sun had disappeared below the horizon, it gave us one last gift by lighting up the rocks indirectly One last look at The Teapot That’s it—the sun’s gone down. We head back to the lodge before everyone rushes to the parking lot to get their cars and we end up stuck in a memorable traffic jam. The Fiesta Mexicana is just a few minutes’ walk from Sugar Loaf for $94 (2 steak burritos and 2 margaritas). It’s nice not having to get back in the car. All in all, a really positive day despite the weather forecast. We got lucky and managed to do everything we’d planned. Tomorrow, we’re hiking to Devil’s Bridge. We’ll also have to get up early to beat the rain.

Day 19: September 27 – Sedona: Devil’s Bridge.

With the weather forecast given the day before by the rangers at the Red Rock Visitor Center, we had to adjust the itinerary I’d worked so hard to plan. I’d scheduled Devil’s Bridge for Sunday, but since the rain wasn’t expected until noon today—and might stick around all day Sunday—hiking up Slide Rock in the rain? No thanks. So we swapped our two hikes.

We even got to sleep in a little this morning since the trailhead is less than 5 km from our rental. But we opted to take the shuttle because the fastest route there is a pretty rough unpaved road. We *could* have driven from a bit farther away, but I’d read that the parking lot was small.

At 8 AM, we’re in the car. Ugh, neither of our GPS devices finds the address for the parking lot where the shuttle leaves every thirty minutes—especially frustrating since there are multiple departure points depending on the hike. We spent nearly an hour searching for that darn parking lot!!!

I’m fuming!!! The scatterbrain I am should’ve looked into this last night—especially with rain expected by noon, it wouldn’t be smart to be on slippery rocks then.

After asking around, we finally found it (it’s the one next to the university at West SR 89A Park & Ride), and the shuttle took us to the Mescal Trailhead parking lot (not so small after all).

9:15 AM, we start the hike. The sun is out, and the trail begins on a little path of red sand and dirt.

The trail is well-marked all the way. First, the Mescal Trail, then the Chuckwagon Trail, and finally the Devil’s Bridge trailhead after crossing Dry Creek Road.

At first, it climbs gently through the forest, with small cacti and juniper trees—classic desert landscapes of the region.

We cross little dried-up streams, surrounded by beautiful red sandstone formations. The forest offers some shaded spots—this approach hike is really pleasant.

As soon as we hit the actual trail, it gets steeper, with lots of steps carved into the rock.

That was on the way down.

It finishes with a bit of rock scrambling as we get close to the bridge.

We made it to the top!! This arch, the largest in the area, is 15 meters high and 14 meters long. It’s surrounded by greenery and faces a stunning sandstone formation. Those who aren’t afraid of heights can walk on the bridge. Some reckless folks run or sit right on the edge for photos, while others strike poses in the middle of the bridge for ages.

Good grief, so many people!!!! We left too late, and there’s a huge crowd waiting to capture the moment.

Too crowded. We decide not to wait around, and after a quick souvenir photo, we start the descent. We pass hundreds of people heading up—some in flip-flops, others without water. Not smart!!!

It’s 11:15 AM, and we’re back down. The round trip took us 2.5 hours.

Little by little, the clouds roll in. The weather forecast was right, and Sedona gets another good storm around noon. The crowd of hikers we passed on the way down is going to get soaked. We’ll have lunch at the rental. Maybe a little nap, hoping the sun comes back out later.

Day 19: Sedona Courthouse Butte, Bell Rock, and Cathedral Rock After our little nap and a dip in the spa, the sun came back out. You can tell we're at the end of our road trip—we're not as energetic! Still, we head back to Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte, which we’d seen in the rain, but we cancel the hike we’d planned there. Sedona is famous for the electromagnetic energy of its vortexes, and Bell Rock’s is supposedly the most well-known. We take the Red Rock Scenic Byway to get there.

Chapel of the Holy Cross It’s closed, but at least we got to see it in the sunlight. We hit the road again. The fiery-colored rocks take on amazing shapes here.





We keep going, stopping at various viewpoints with such telling names. Courthouse Butte

Bell Rock You can see people waiting for the sunset right on the rock. We stay a little while to admire their stunning colors. It’s time to head back—the horizon is dark again, treating us to a beautiful rainbow over the formations. The sky is black—it’s gonna pour!!!!!

The third intense storm of the day hits around 6 PM, complete with thunder and lightning. We made it back in time. I’m thinking of everyone who chose to watch the sunset at Airport Scenic Overlook—it’s about a 40-minute walk to get there. The descent in the rain must’ve been epic. So far, despite the bad weather caused by a Pacific hurricane, we’ve been really lucky. We managed to dodge the rain and do two of the three hikes planned in this incredible place. We drive to the Indian restaurant right next to our lodging. The rain has stopped, but who knows what the sky has in store for us. For 74 dollars, we feast on an amazing, flavorful meal (1 rice, 1 naan bread, 2 meat mixes, and 1 lamb tikka, plus a beer and a soda). I take the opportunity to chat in English with a friendly Pakistani family at the next table. Tomorrow is the West Fork Oak Creek hike—will our luck hold? Only time will tell!!!

Day 20: Sedona West Fork Oak Creek

This day was meant to be dedicated to a long but apparently easy hike, with almost no elevation gain, that I was really looking forward to: the West Fork Oak Creek trailhead. It involves following the Oak Creek river for about 6 km, skirting beautiful red cliffs through ponderosa pines and oaks before turning back to return to the parking lot. 7:20 AM and we're in the car. There was another hell of a storm last night. This Sunday, which was supposed to see an improvement, is just as disrupted, and the weather forecast predicts more storms late in the morning. The sky is completely overcast. We absolutely need to be out of the canyon before then. The risk of a flash flood is very real, plus we have to cross the river 13 times—will it even be possible after last night’s rain? It’s early, we should be fine!! The trailhead is about fifteen kilometers from Sedona. We ask the woman at the entrance who reassures us—no flash flood danger today, so let’s go. A sign at the entrance reminds us we’re in bear territory (and also rattlesnakes) and that we should take the usual precautions, especially since two bears were spotted in the area in the previous days. The trail starts with a small path through wild grasses and a little orchard where we stop to admire a tiny squirrel with huge ears feasting on apples. - We pass the small ruined cabin (it’s an old hunting lodge from 1920). After this little path, we almost reach the river, and we struggle for a moment to find the start, but once we’re in the right spot, we can follow the trail easily thanks to excellent signage. The colors are muted due to the lack of sun, but it’s still stunning as we see mist rising from the ground toward the tops of the cliffs in a slightly eerie atmosphere that I really like. We follow the river and admire the work of the water on the rocks.

We cross from one bank to the other by stepping on stones or logs. There’s little water and no current despite the big storm last night.

And most importantly, the stones aren’t slippery. It’s fun, and I’m loving it.

The trail winds through a forest of tall pines and oaks, bordered by towering cliffs. At their base, the ground is covered with red or green ferns. As we keep moving forward, always easily on sand, rocks, or slide rock, we see aquatic plants but always in this festival of green. Soon the sun reappears, and with it, everything brightens up. We go up, down, cross the stream, step over roots, or go under fallen trees. I’m in heaven!! The sun plays with the light!! The rock alongside the river is carved, offering us magnificent ledges. We soon reach the end of the marked trail. We’ll keep going a bit more to reach a stunning spot. The canyon has narrowed, and from here on, there’s no more path—if we want to continue, we’ll have to get wet. The scenery is incredible; plants and rocks reflect in the water, making it hard to tell mineral from aquatic. The sun is still shining. We stay a little while to soak in the magic of the place. I had brought my swimsuit, towel, and water sandals with the intention of going up the river in the water, but it’s time to leave if we want to escape the predicted storm—especially since the sky is darkening again.

Gorgeous region! I hadn’t planned to visit Sedona on my "canceled" road trip, but I’ll definitely consider it for the future... You really dodged the rain—you had a good nose for it! 🙂 As for the hikes leading to Devil’s Bridge, I don’t even dare show them to my husband—I’d get an instant veto!!!! 😉

Day 20 Sedona: West Fork Oak Creek Trailhead (continued)

As we move forward, the sun becomes shyer and the sky darkens. We retrace our steps, scampering quickly over the rocks and logs. There are even bamboo plants!

And always these ledges worn by the water.

The sky is getting grayer and grayer. One drop, two drops, three drops... they’re becoming more numerous, bigger, and closer together. Quick, the camera goes into the bag, the Gore-Tex goes on, and we keep going. Even when wet, the rocks aren’t slippery.

The shower won’t last long, and we’ll finish the hike with the sun. We happily rediscover the shades of green. Too funny!!! Here’s DD matching the landscape!!!

We pass by the little ruined cabin again. And the orchard where nature still amazes us with its resilience—look at this tree with a completely hollow trunk that still finds the strength to offer us its apples. It took us 4 hours and 30 minutes to cover the 13 km. What a magnificent hike!! A little regret that we couldn’t spend more time following the river because of the rain that seemed determined to spoil the fun. We take the picnic out of the trunk and enjoy it in the gentle Arizona sun. A quick stop at Midley Bridge. The sky has clouded over again, and raindrops are falling once more. We’re back at the guesthouse. I had planned to do the Secret Slickrock Trail late this afternoon to see the sunset over Cathedral Rock, but DD doesn’t want to go out anymore. It’s been almost three weeks of me getting my way, so I don’t insist. Besides, given the color of the sky tonight, I’m not sure it would’ve been very pretty anyway. We brought back two takeout boxes from yesterday’s Indian restaurant—we’ll eat them at the guesthouse. Tomorrow’s our last stop before flying back.

Hi Aline 🙂

I finished my 20th day and uploaded the photos. We’ve been really lucky with the weather since the start. The bad weather followed us without catching up.

We managed to "dodge the raindrops" most of the time, as you put it, and in Sedona, we were able to do the 3 hikes we really wanted to do.

This place is so beautiful. Like in Moab, you could spend days and days here—there’s just so much to see and do.

It’s not always easy dealing with our guys 🤷. Mine hates trails, so I sneak a few in now and then, but sparingly.

Have a great rest of the afternoon! Martine 🙂

It’s not always easy dealing with our guys 🤷. Mine hates trails—I sneak a few in now and then, but sparingly. Have a great rest of the afternoon! Martine 🙂

Well, for me, it’s my wife who doesn’t want to set foot on Route 66 anymore—go figure!

Hi Martine! Same with mine and the trails... too conscientious at the wheel, and I’d planned a few trails but left the surprise for when we got there!!! 😎 Even for hikes, I’m more of a "go-with-the-flow" type than he is 😏

To Dennis and Grillonne. Ha ha ha!!! Planning trips as a couple. Especially since each has their own role, and since usually only one does the prep, the other doesn’t always see the point of choosing this over that!!! 😕 It’s not always easy to keep everyone happy without compromise, but we manage. 😉 Martine 🙂

Day 21, September 29: Sedona - Gilbert Holidays Inn Express & Suites: 128 euros for this hotel with breakfast and spa about thirty kilometers from Phoenix Airport

Last stop before heading back to France tomorrow. There were two possible routes to Phoenix: either take the Red Rock Scenic Byway again or visit Jerome, a small, almost ghost town clinging to the side of a hill, before catching I-17 South. On a friend’s advice, we decided to go with Jerome. Visiting one last Western town sounded like a great idea. What a good call! We really loved this quirky little village at 1,500 meters above sea level. We’re not in a rush—the check-in isn’t until 4 PM—so we take our time, hang out a bit, and call the kids. We hit the road around 9:30 AM. As soon as we leave Sedona, the red rocks disappear. We can still see them in the distance beyond the plain.

Jerome Soon, the road is surrounded by tall buttes, and we spot the village right in the middle of a hill covered in small cacti and bushes.

Jerome is said to be one of the most haunted towns in the United States. The high number of deaths (around 9,000 between 1927 and 1950) at the hospital for miners working in the copper, gold, and silver mines is said to have left many restless souls still eager to make their presence known, much to the delight of ghost hunters. You can find them in most of the old buildings. True or not, the town plays it up and has turned it into a draw for tourists. Like many mining towns, it nearly disappeared in 1950 after the mines closed, dropping from 15,000 inhabitants at its peak in 1920 to just 100 by the late 1950s. Luckily, it bounced back by shifting to tourism (especially by leaning into the paranormal), crafts, and art. We wanted to start at the Audrey Head Frame, but unfortunately, it’s closed for maintenance. We carry on to the Jerome State Historic Park and the Douglas Mansion next door. We admire the large rocks colored with azurite and malachite and the old copper mine equipment, but we’re not really in the mood to go inside—we’d rather wander around town. But first, we head to the Jerome Grand Hotel (though we can’t find the entrance), and it’s cool to see the buildings from the top of the hill.

We find a big free parking lot near the fire station at the top of town, right next to the old mining infrastructure. We park the car and head to Main Street, just a few steps away, but first, we stop at a restaurant because we want to eat before the rush. I’d spotted the Haunted Burger with its skeletons on the roof welcoming us. It’s already pretty busy, but the wait isn’t long. Their homemade burgers are excellent, the welcome is warm, and the decor in every room fits the town’s theme perfectly. Apparently, a friendly ghost has set up shop there. We feast for $76 (two burgers and a mountain of sides, one beer, and one diet Coke). Alright, let’s walk a bit to digest—especially since we saved a little room for dessert. The weather’s mild, and it’s really nice strolling through these little streets winding up and down the hillside, climbing and descending the narrow stairs connecting the blocks. Or this old brothel turned into a restaurant, then an art gallery and shop. We window-shop until we reach Cooper Country Fudge to enjoy some excellent ice cream and take home a huge piece of fudge. Everywhere you look, there are nods to skeletons and ghosts. We make a quick stop at the Sliding Jail, a prison that slid 69 meters down a main street due to blasting in the copper mines and could slide again because the hill is unstable.

There’s still more to discover, like the spot where the real Ghost Town is and the charming old-timey chaos that comes with it, but it’s time to go. At 2 PM, we’re on the highway heading to Phoenix. After miles of desert with stunted vegetation, we’re happy to see the buttes lining the highway and, even better, the saguaros that we loved so much. At 4 PM, we’re at the hotel. This city is so spread out! Since arriving on the outskirts of Phoenix, the miles of multi-lane roads going every which way have felt endless. This isn’t our scene at all! We were so much happier on our trails! We need to find a laundromat to clean our car. The young receptionist points us to one right near the hotel. DD wants to fill up the tank, but I suggest waiting until tomorrow so we can return it full—we saw tons of gas stations on the way. Tonight, we’ll finish off our leftovers from lunch at the tables near the hotel pool before packing our bags. Vacation’s over—tomorrow, our flight to Paris leaves at 3 PM.

Day 22, September 30: Gilbert Sky Harbor

Day 22, September 30 – Phoenix Airport

A relaxed wake-up and morning. We’ve got time—suitcases are packed, the car’s due back by 11 a.m., and we’re only 30 km from the airport. Knowing DD, I didn’t plan anything for this morning. Oh, right, we still need to fill up the tank, but gas isn’t exactly scarce in Uncle Sam’s country. Last American breakfast, and we hit the road in search of that precious liquid. We drove a few kilometers, and not a single gas station in sight!!! Where did all the ones we passed yesterday go?! Well, we were coming from the west then, and now we’re heading east. Plus, we got on the highway as soon as we left the hotel!!! Oops!!! Disaster!!! I think DD was right. I should’ve listened when he wanted to fill up yesterday!! I can feel the stress rising in the car as the minutes tick by. We need to get off the highway. We park and ask Here We Go. Bingo—a Shell station 500 m away, cool!! We get there fast, and I check the price on the pump: $5.99 for a gallon of regular!!! Yikes!!! That stings!!! Nearly double what we paid throughout the road trip!!! Let’s look on the bright side—Hertz would’ve charged us even more if we hadn’t returned the car with a full tank. No issues returning the car, and now we’re on the plane, waiting for takeoff. I’m reflecting on our road trip. Once again, I was worried this trip—the 6th one—wouldn’t be as *wow* as the others, but nope, we saw so many gems and loved our little encounters with Americans, whether on a hiking trail or at the next table in a restaurant. I could totally do another one next year!!!! Why not!!! Well, I’ve reached the end of my travel journal. I hope it can help future travelers with their planning. Don’t hesitate to reach out, even via PM if you see I’m not responding—if I can answer your questions, I’d be happy to. Thanks to everyone who read my posts, even the lurkers, and even more to those who left little notes. Wishing you all a very happy 2026, with or without amazing trips. Take care of yourselves. Oh, by the way!!! Good news!!! Flight, hotels, and car booked for a 3-week loop in California! Ha ha ha!! I’ve convinced DD to go again using the argument that our ESTA and America the Beautiful Pass are still valid. I’m counting on you all to answer my questions. Thanks in advance!

Thanks for taking the time to do this kind of travel journal...

It makes me regret skipping some places I could’ve visited, but hey, we don’t all travel the same way—that’s what’s so interesting when I read your posts!

Hello!

I was one of the "submariners" 😎 Thanks for your travel journal 🙂

Hi Martine,

Another lovely travel journal—so enjoyable to read—and a new trip that’s packed with adventures! 🙂 I love the idea of closing one chapter while already having a new project in mind. You’re going to have a blast in California. I went there in June 2023 with my English teacher, who’s Californian (yes, the 2020 trip with my husband that got canceled turned into a group trip instead). We rented a house for five people near her sister’s place in Sacramento. Her family and friends showed us around the area for 15 days. A few ideas, though I’m sure you’ve already got your itinerary sorted 😉: The 17-Mile Drive is breathtaking, as is the nearby village of Carmel. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is also really worth visiting. I don’t know if you’ve planned a stop in Sacramento, but the California State Railroad Museum is incredible—I could’ve spent hours there. There’s also a great auto museum. We were lucky enough to go sailing with one of their friends who owned a boat in Monterey Bay. We saw dolphins and whales—it was magical! Lake Tahoe is amazing too! Her brother-in-law, who loves Yosemite, was determined to take us there, but the park had just reopened. Some French travelers we met in San Francisco had just come from there and were really disappointed—the ground was soaked from heavy winter snowfall, and smoke from the previous summer’s wildfires was still lingering… plus, there was at least a 2-hour wait to get into the park because it was so crowded! So we scrapped the idea since we were only going for the day. You’ll have better luck than we did! You’re also going to love seeing the giant sequoias. 🙂 Here’s a little taste of California!

Have a great evening and happy planning! Aline