Hearst Castle/ Sequoia National Park 5/07-5/10/09

The above are pictures taken at the Hearst Castle in San Simeon, CA. We were actually on our way to Sequoia when we realized we had not done the castle yet. Since is was not far out of our way we stopped and took the tour that day. Boy, am I glad we did. I knew it was spectacular but you don't realize how spectacular until you see it. Such wealth and lavishness is beyond a normal person's imagination. The San Simeon area is just delightful and the kind of place I'd like to return to and just spend a week or two touring around the various settings. Check out the video on the pool below. That's the kind of pool I'd like to see in the Thousand Trail parks!!!! OH! did I forget to mention this is just the outside pool. The pool in the picture above is part of the indoor pool.



The two pictures below were taken from the top of Moro Rock which you can walk up. It is very high and since I'm not particularly fond of heights it was a real accomplishment for me to get to the top and take these pictures.

This picture was taken at one of the many groves of Sequoia trees. These trees are thicker trunked than the Redwoods. The trunk does not taper at the top it resembles a giant club in shape.

This is called Tunnel log and you can drive right through it.

Below is the video I shot from the top of Moro Rock. You will see it was well worth the trip up.



We could not have picked a better time to be here. All the wild flowers are in bloom. There is color all over the hills.

The rivers are all running full due to snow melt. We stayed at a private campground just 3 miles outside the park entrance. It is called Three Rivers Hideaway. The place was very active with white water rafters this time of year.

This is David and Sandra Miller from Exeter, CA. We were having breakfast at a really nice restaurant across the street from the campground and met them there. Their home is just down the road from Three Rivers the town we were in. We got to talking and found out David is a pastor and looking to start a new church in Exeter. We put him on the phone with our pastor, Vern Bosserman, who will be a great mentor for David since he has already been through the church planting process. Please keep these fine folks in your prayers that God will bless their ministry.