:):):) Lots of Updates.... :):):)

Hello Everyone....

I have been so busy, especially now since I am in High School. I love H.S., more so than any other school years mom says. Typically, it takes me a good two weeks to adjust to my school schedule, but not this year, I adjusted on the first day.

I am posting about my recent weekend getaway to Sequoia National Park, but will be mentioning a few other things I did over my summer vacation.
Mom picked me up early from school on Friday. I wasn't too keen about it, but I forgave her about two hours after. We had a smooth trip up to Sequoia N.P. Since it was so late, and I was tired, we got our hotel and hung out for the evening.

The next morning, we were out the door by 6am in search of bears and possibly sunrise. Just after Crystal Cave turnoff in Sequoia N.P. we came across a mom and her cub. Unfortunately, it was not light enough yet for mom to get a good picture, but she managed a couple and will keep them for souvenir.

We continued down the road to Crescent Meadow to do a hike there.

It was a typical area to see bears. It was a beautiful, 40 degree morning. I don't know what mom was thinking, but it was quite crisp out, but off we went on our hike.

About 3/4 of the hike, we figured we were not going to see a bear, but all of a sudden, a bear came out of the ferns and jumped up on a log.

The bear crossed the trail and headed off into the ferns. You couldn't see the bear, but you could see the ferns moving, and since it looked like it was still close to the trail, we waited for the bear to reappear.

When the bear finally appeared, he/she started walking down the trail in front of us. We slowly followed, making sure we kept our distance and didn't startle the bear. He/she could of cared less we were there. After a few hundred yards, the bear finally drifted off into the forest, and we continued down the trail back to the parking lot.

We continued into the park and went to the Visitors Center to pick up my Jr Ranger booklet to complete. Yep, mom made me do some work on this trip.

Later, we went on another trail through the Big Trees.

The photo above of the fall colors, mom took that on the Crescent Meadow hike of some ferns that were different colors.

We continued on in the park and came across this bear near the side of the road eating the sugar out of the pine cones. He/she didn't seem to be skittish of people, but he/she did not like the noise from a motorcycle. Below is a photo of this bear up a tree trunk. He/she went up it when the motorcycles went by. These bears are brown in color, but they are a Black Bear, the smallest species of bears and are the least aggressive of them.

This squirrel was very cute as you can see. He/she is eating a Sequoia Cone in which it represents the park.

We went on another hike through some more trees.

I am next to the bottom of a tree trunk, a tree that has fallen over. It was soooo big.

Just a fun picture of me... :)

Mom was hoping to see some fall color in Sequoia N.P., but we didn't really see any at all. Maybe just a few leaves here and there. This photo was taken a few years ago on my first trip to Sequoia and Kings Canyon N.P. This trip we only went to Sequoia because of the shortness of our trip.

Here I am finishing up my Junior Ranger booklet so I can become a Jr. Ranger of Sequoia National Park. It was fun to do, both mom and I learned quite a bit. :)

I am ready to go into the Visitors Center to turn in my Jr Ranger booklet. I hope I did good. :)

YAY! I passed. This is Ranger Christina who I had to interview as part of my assignment and she swore me in. Ranger Christina was very nice.

You can see my Jr Ranger badge on my sweater. :):)

You can see more of mom's photos of our trip to Sequoia N.P. on her website

------------------------------------

In July, mom took me to go see Grandpa Henry and Sue in Chico. It was so hot there, so I was able to have Mint n Chip ice cream, which I loved! It was sooo good. I got some gifts for graduation and my birthday.

Over the summer, mom and I went to the zoo. Here are a few pictures that mom took. I always like to go to the zoo so I can be outside for a long time.

You can see more of mom's zoo photos on her website

-----------------------------------

I wasn't able to go to San Juan Island this year, but mom went and here are two photos that she took while she was there. I had to go to summer school, which I refuse to miss, so I stayed with grandma.

You can see more of mom's photos of her trips to San Juan Island on her website (landscapes) and for Orcas, Whales, Dolphins, Porpoises up there

----------------------------------------

A couple of times over the summer, and even last spring, I was able to go whale watching with mom on Island Packers out of Ventura. I love going on the boat.

This Humpback breached right outside my window very close to the boat. Mom couldn't zoom in any more to get its whole body in the frame. It was very cool. That day, there were so many Humpbacks that wanted to come over and say "Hello", so we were about 45 minutes late getting back in because they wouldn't let us leave them. They surrounded the boat.

Here is the largest animal, living thing on earth; a Blue Whale. They can grow to be 100 feet long, a small car (like a volkswagon bug) can park in its mouth, a toddler can swim down one of their arteries, they are the loudest animals in the world, their tongue weighs about four tons and can hold an Elephant, and their heart is as big as a middle sized car - just some fun facts.

Elephant Seals and California Sea Lions along the shoreline of San Miguel Island, Channel Islands National Park.

More of mom's photos can be seen here

---------------------------------------------------------

Stay tuned..

Have a GREAT rest of the week everyone!

Love,

Kayla