Vacation's all I ever wanted...

[xdeus]

Took the boys backpacking up in the Sierras in Sequoia NP for a couple days. We stayed at "Mosquito Lakes" which sounds a lot worse than it was... hardly any mosquitoes. The first night wasn't very fun, though, as my little guy decided to get sick *IN* the tent which meant I had to do a lot of laundry in the lake by moonlight. It only got better after that, though. The elevation was around 10,000 ft. but the weather was perfect, of course that meant it was scorching down below.

A pic of the alpine lake.


Preparing dinner at sunset.


My younger son hanging out at the lake.


A Valley Garder snake (Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi) at that elevation?! (sorry for the poor pic. He wouldn't hold still!)


Hiking back down.


My older son taking a break.

[Nate]

Good times...I remember hiking with my dad...I loved it. These pics bring break some great memories.

Looks like you guys had some fun up there.

[iceman25]

Hey great photographs! Glad to hear you guys had a good time and sorry that the youngest got sick. I've always wanted to visit there and I think you've just given me the incentive to do that one day!

[SarahMB]

Wow, looks like an incredible trip, I would love to do that too! And you have some very handsome young men, there.

[xdeus]

Wow, looks like an incredible trip, I would love to do that too! And you have some very handsome young men, there.

Thanks! They had a pretty good time, but next time I think I'll plan on staying out at least a day or two longer.

BTW, that was a GARTER snake. (closet spelling nazi)

[Evan Jamison]

Nice pics Lawrence!! I love hiking up at those higher elevations when it's hot down below. Was that fitchi the only herp you guys found up there? I've never found a fitchi about 6000 ft, and I never realized they were found that high anywhere. I'd love to get up the mountains once more before it gets too cool, but I don't think I'll make it . Thanks for posting those.

-Evan

[xdeus]

Nice pics Lawrence!! I love hiking up at those higher elevations when it's hot down below. Was that fitchi the only herp you guys found up there? I've never found a fitchi about 6000 ft, and I never realized they were found that high anywhere. I'd love to get up the mountains once more before it gets too cool, but I don't think I'll make it . Thanks for posting those.

Yep, that little guy suprised me as well. Why is it that I can't seem to find any herps when I look for them, but they show up in the strangest places when I'm not? That was the only herp on the trip, though. We found him swimming in the lake, and when we returned him he took off ACROSS the lake. Pretty surprising considering how cold the water was.