Camping in Balch Park

Balch Park is about 80 miles northeast of Bakersfield. It is in the very southern tip of the Sequoia National forest. My photos don't really do these amazing trees justice, but remember, you can click on them to enlarge!

This was Marley's first camping adventure and he was very excited.
We brought starter logs for the campfire, but it was fun to hike around and collect wood to keep the fire going. Here's Andrew chopping wood with his machete.
"A remnant of a Giant Sequoia that lumbermen cut all the way through in 1881, yet the tree still remains standing on its stump." How crazy is this?? I unsuccesfully tried to push the tree off. Next time... maybe...

In an attempt to show the true size of these trees, I had Andrew stand at the base of one while I walked as far backwards as possible. He's at the base of the left tree. This sequoia was right on our site. Marley found a golf ball, picked it up, dug a hole, buried his ball, covered it up with his snout, and walked away. I know it's instinct, but I never saw him do this before!! After a couple minutes I said, "Marley, where's your ball?" He went to the spot and did the whole process over again! So cool! :)There was a pond where people could fish if they had a license to do so. We didn't, so we just walked around it!

It was a really fun weekend and I hope to go camping more this summer. It's really nice to get out of the 100+ degree heat!
~Carol