The Ashton Horde: Sequoia National Park

Our big family vacation was going to be camping in Sequoia National Park for a couple of nights and then heading to the coast and seeing Monterey.

Well we started out great! We stayed a couple of nights at Jake and Susie's house in St. George. (Very fun by the way)
Sunday we got up very early in the morning and were heading into Sequoia. But they all started to get very sick about the time we hit the mountains. (we assumed car sick)

Ethan and Emery sick in the car.

The entrance to Sequoia National Park!

Emery, Ethan, Nate and Will

Josh and Kara Sequoia National Park

But we got in, saw a few amazing trees, General Sherman for one, and then set up camp, ate dinner, had a campfire and went to bed.

The pine cone that almost killed Will.

This pine cone fell about a foot behind Will as we were walking on a trail.

I have never seen pine cones so big (and no these are not from Sequoia trees. Sequoia's have pine cones the size of chicken's eggs)

In the middle of the night Emery woke up very sick! Luckily she threw up outside of the tent. She was up all night throwing up. The next morning she said she felt better and so we carried on.

(We did get to see one little bear in our campground)

Moro Rock...WOW what a view!!!

Emery was completely TERRIFIED! The trail was straight down on either side with nothing but a couple of bars like you see in the picture. But she did it and in the end she was so proud of herself! (I was kinda proud too. Way to go Emery!)

Will and a giant Sequoia!

Nate the butterfly whisperer!

Ethan was now not feeling well. So we thought he would be the one to get sick. Nope, Emery again was sick, but this time couldn't get the zipper open on the tent in time! It was another VERY long night.

The next morning we decided to scrap the Monterey part of the trip, stay a night in a hotel to get cleaned up and head home. (Which was a very good idea I might add!)

On the drive home I mentioned to Josh that I had always wanted to see Death Valley. So we took a 5 hour detour (The kids were all much better) and headed into the hottest place in the US in the hottest month of the year! Crazy? Probably.

Josh said "So there is a place in Hell for Mormons!"

But it was fun....at least for Josh and I! The kids liked it until we made them get out of the car in the 118* heat and walk out on the salt flats in the middle of nothing :) (we are such good parents)

People were boiling eggs on the sidewalks. 118* (the week before it was 128*)

Another classic picture!!! Will was so mad at me! But I just think he looks so cute in his little ranger hat turned around refusing to let me take his picture!