Family Vacation Ridgecrest, Trail of 100 Giants, and Mt. Whitney 2012 (Part 3)

This family vacation is on a three part post! What a fun tradition we enjoy each summer.
After the day at the Ocean and beach we began driving again. Once again it was on side roads and unfamiliar territory. Even our Garmin struggled with some of the street names we needed. We drove through a lot of country corn fields and more than once I questioned if we would make it to our destination which was the Trail of the 100 Giants. Several stops and questions later, we finally arrived at our goal.

 Here is the beginning of the trail. Love to see so many smiling and happy campers

 These pictures don't even begin to show how large these trees are. They are mind blowing huge.

 A tree that had fallen, this is it on it's side

 Teenagers and their music. Sierra sharing with Ada

After we saw all the trees we wanted, we drove another 3 hours to Ridgecrest. Now one might ask why are you going to Ridgecrest for your family vacation. Is this the most exciting place in California? NO. Does it provide lots of cool things to see and explore? NO. Is it exotic? NO. but girls, it is where your momma met your daddy. Where our love was first ignited! Ridgecrest doesn't offer much, but it holds dear memories for both Corby and I and lots of good people we both shall never forget. We  served our missions in California and were serving in this area when we met. We were obedient and realized we had some attraction but we didn't act on our feelings until after we were no longer missionaries and the rest is just history. I have a dear friend, Judith (Jude) who married and moved to Ridgecrest to raise her family. I knew she lived there, so we made arrangement to hang out on Friday. She was my roommate at BYU. I consider her a dear friend and was so excited to get reacquainted and have our children meet. She has three boys. Since I am new to this "take a picture about everything we do thing" I did not get a photo of Jude and her sweet family. We spent that day at her paid off house, amazing huh, we made a fun lunch and just talked and talked. My how I miss my college days, such wonderful memories. I would never go back, but I sure loved my time during it. After our husbands had listened to us reminisce as much as they could stand, we left for the Whitney Portals. While Corby was serving in one of his areas he and his companion hiked Mt. Whitney. Do you know all the facts of this place? It is the highest point in the lower 48 states. It was an amazing feat. It takes a permit to hike it and you need to allow at least 14 hours for up and back. There is snow on the top, so cool. I can't wait. It is a goal to return in the next 5 years. Who wants to join us? We want to hike this amazing mountain one day but for this trip, we will settle for the portal.

Bria has a true fear of heights and she was so brave to climb up here with her momma and daddy

Do you see the amazing waterfall behind us?

 

 We spent the afternoon in all this beauty then headed for our hotel which surprise surprise was further than we anticipated so we got in late as normal. Because of all our activities we basically drop in bed just to wake to begin a new day. Vacations are great but so so exhausting. We ate in a small hometown cafe which was delicious.

Chicken Fried Steak

Steak and baked potatoes

love how Ada acts like a teenager with her older sistas.

Spaghetti

 Throughout dinner both Bria and Ada would ask what kind of fish were hanging on the wall. The fish were huge and had been caught locally. The portions were huge we only bought three and shared with all 7 of us. Gotta love the hometown food.
We went to bed and woke up for the 7 hour journey home. All in all it was a great week and I am so glad we survived the trip.
Good to be home but always so fun to get away!

I had to take this photo because we saw this a lot. Corby taking Ada potty. Many times potty happened on the side of the road hidden behind the open door. Shhhh......being sneaky!