So my belly has been angry for about 5 days now.

Strange.

First of all I had cramps – no surprise this time of the month – but that wasn’t all. My belly felt big, bloated, and angry and I couldn’t figure out why. There was a rumble in my jungle. During the flight, I could feel my stomach churning-churning-churning constantly and was having trouble falling and staying asleep because of it. Frank tried to lean on me at one point, but my angry belly was so tender that I had to send him toward the tank-top wearing, long-underarm-hair lady to his left. You may be thinking to yourself “Just GO Andrea” but I tried that… there was nothing but air inside. As we were sitting in the second airport, Frank had a look and listen to my belly and he made a diagnosis – no it’s not hemoroids and no, I’m not pregnant. He asked if I’d eaten any fiber one bars, and of course I had (they’re like nectar of the gods). In fact, I’d had one or two every day for the past week. I’d been trying to take off a pound or two and fiber one always seems to help with that sort of effort. Well, we all know that fiber one bars make you gassy (I think Mike S – king of gas – found an article calling them gas bars or something) and I’ve always enjoyed that they allow me to have funny party “noises” if you will but this was different. Apparently the type of angry belly gas is typical of fiber one eaters, and I’d just been lucky up until now… trouble.

Anyway, I’ve switched to Kashi Bars on Todd and Rebecca’s recommendations and am feeling pretty terrific. My big bloated belly even went away – thank you Kashi!

After having a refreshing 3 hours of sleep we were up and ready to explore. We picked up a few supplies at a little grocery shop and I made lunch while we drove to Kings Canyon. We didn’t make it that far in last year so we wanted to make sure that we explored it this time around. Once the pb&j’s were made we headed off the walk the General Grant Tree Trail. The general is the third largest living things in the world and was named the National Christmas Tree by some president in the early 1900’s. They have a celebration each year where local folks come out, choirs sing, and holiday merriment is made – this year it’s the second Sunday in December. We’re not coming, but I wouldn’t turn away a free trip out here if someone wanted to give me an early Christmas present – I’m just saying! We also saw a tree named fallen monarch, which is a fallen sequoia that’s been hollowed out and acts as a walkway.

Next we stopped at the Ranger Station at Grant Grove where we got some recommendations for the remainder of the day today, and tomorrow. She highly recommended three hiking trips, and our first was panoramic point. On our drive in that direction we saw several deer romping about – lovely. The hike up to the point wasn’t long but it was steep – thank goodness for the resting benches halfway up! Frank picked on me for it but, a resting bench was just what I needed! From the top, beautiful vistas could be seen. I’d post a picture here, but again, Frank leaves his cords all over the place sometimes.

Our next stop was the big stump trail. Apparently back in the day, folks foolishly chopped down our friends the Sequoias, without regard for their loveliness. On the big stump trail we saw lots of big stumps – surprising I know. The surprising part was how many unused tree bits were still around. Apparently when they chopped down the behemoth trees, nearly killing themselves in the process, they hadn’t figured out a way to use the wood, but just kept a-cutting anyway. We learned last year that sequoia wood doesn’t break down, decay, or go away, and that was definitely the scene on the stump trial – even the saw dust, just waiting around for tourists to feel bad about what the stupid humans did 150 years ago. Stupid white men…. Ugh. A sad sight, but still beautiful nonetheless.

Our last hike of the day was in the Trails of the Redwood Canyon Area. Our ranger friend told us that we’d drive far away to the Quail Flat, then drive down a dirt road for a while until we got to the Redwood Saddle Trialhead so that we could walk the Sugar Bowl Grove Trail. I know, a lot of information. Anyway, we drove for a long while, and then hit the dirt road and started off in that direction. Do you remember me mentioning our not-so-mini-van? It’s not small, but the road was so it was a little treacherous. After a good long while on the dirt road we arrived and it was really beautiful. We were the only people there and it was truly serene. We walked a bit and started to get nervous. Nothing too rational but being alone in a secluded part of the forest just reminds me that I could make a really yummy bear sandwich. We kept on and when we’d made it about 3/4ths of a mile, we felt a drop. The sky over the Giant Forest area had gotten black angry, and was on the move. We felt a drop, and we both gasped. The front desk folks had told us that rain was a possibility and whatever we did, not to get caught out in it… which was all the warning we needed.

We hustled back to our full-sized van and headed out. The rain started a little stronger, and we started seeing mist coming up from the road – clouds were forming right in front of us! Also, as we were driving back up the mountain to Wuksachi Lodge, it was getting REALLY cold. The next thing we knew, there was snow on the ground on the road in front of us. We pulled over to take a good look when we realized that it wasn’t snow, it was hail, and LOTS of it – so much that it covered a good deal of the woods, the road and was dripping off the trees. Now is where I’d show you a picture, but again, no cord. In place of a photo, go ahead and imagine the chilly majestic wood…

We took a few pictures (that you can’t see) and then headed back toward the lodge. You know how after the rain in Animal Kingdom, the safari animals go crazy and frolic to and fro? Apparently that happens everywhere because animals were EVERYWHERE! Deer were galloping about to and fro, birds were twittering, and then the bears came! We saw Mamma Bear and two Baby Bears walk from the side of the road into a meadow where they proceeded to pounce and prance about! They were eagerly lapping up the delicious icy treats – SO CUTE!!!! We were still buzzing about the bears when we got back to the parking lot at Wuksachi Lodge and saw ANOTHER bear! Sleepy Bear (the name we gave him) was wandering across the parking lot and towards the outer lodge buildings for a visit – crazy things happen when it gets cold and wet up here!

We put on some warmer layers and headed to dinner at my favorite (and only) Wuksachi Lodge Restaurant. Once again, the food was great, the service was friendly, and the wine was delicious.

We ended the night by Frank passing out fully clothed and me working on my new crocheting project while I watched the Alaskan GOP welcome home Sarah (does she spell her name with an h? I’d rather not take the time to learn) Palin with quite a tickertape parade…. Sigh. What are you going to do? Sometimes we all deserve a tickertape parade I suppose… even if it makes me shake my head and sigh.

The trip started off with a bang – we rushed out of work and made our flight (thank you Mindi). We found ourselves in Phoenix waiting for the flight that didn’t want to come. Two hours late, we were off in the fanciest plane ever – with a Phoenix Cardinals logo on the side. Frank thinks that the plane belonged to the team because the seats were WAY cushier than the previous flight and leather and comfy. I knew I was always meant to be a Cardinal – I do love birds!

There was one crazy bird (if you will) that we encountered when getting onto the flight. This was clearly a first flight for this particular redneck dressed in a Michigan t-shirt (with the sleeves cut off of course), sport shorts, high-top sneakers, and a rolling Dale Earnhart Jr. suitcase. Classy. He explained to us that we could go before him because he was waiting to snag a left-over first class seat. If I’d only known that last on the plane gets their choice – what a way to fly! Anyway, that wacko walked in about ten minutes later and meandered into coach with the rest of us.

We landed and rolled for quite some time. Apparently our gate was taken or something, but once we landed we rolled for a while and sat on the plane for about 45 minutes waiting to get out. My favorite part of this disorganization was the flight attendant making this announcement, “A child is running up and down the aisles. We are still in motion, and the seatbelt sign is still on. Will the owner of this child please strap it into a seat for safety.”
Priceless.

That was when our Michigan friend put a cigarette into his mouth so that he could smoke it as soon as possible, and got on his cell phone. Telling whoever was on the phone that so-and-so didn’t even know he wasn’t in Michigan, and that he was in town to part-aaay so you’d better get ready. Sometimes it’s hard for me to keep laughter in and I snort a little.

Anyway, several hours late we arrived with too many bags at the rental car location (I know, we really know how to vacation). Oh, and just so that you know, everyone at Dollar rental in Los Angeles is hateful. We chose our car and were on our way when a loud angry beep accompanied by a flashing airbag light came on in the car. Perfect. We drove around the hood of LA long enough to find Dollar again, and chose another car. Unfortunately, there weren’t any reasonable sized cars left, so after several failed attempts, we landed on a van. Not a mini van, but a van. This thing is freaking huge. At least if we pick up 15 or 20 friends here, they can ride back to LA with us. And yes, in case you’re wondering, gas is free here in California so it’s not a big deal…. Ugh.

SEVERAL hours later we landed in Three Rivers, CA at the base of the Sequoia National Park. Our drive up the “hill” was similar to last time, but without that bastard stop light (thank God) and, oh ya, it was dark. Apparently the nighttime is when the animals come out though because on our way up the “hill” we saw a fox, two cats (that frank swears are bobcats), and our first bear of the trip… just walking down the road. He turned around to look at us but went on his way again. Bears are funny (and that’s the theme of the trip so get ready). As we left Mr. Bear, we kept on driving and realized that the sun was coming up, which was why he was awake – it was breakfast time! Lucky us!

We checked in at 6:02am with a very surprised bearded intern-of-sorts, and headed to bed, realizing that we’d forgotten toothbrushes (thank goodness for the bearded-front-desk-man) and frank forgot his wetsuit. I think 60-degree waters should be great for him sans-wetsuit. This triathlon is going to rock!

That’s day number one folks – we’ll keep you posted!

Oh and btw, remember those pictures on M’res’ sight that I told you about? When he shared those with her, he left the cord at their house sooooo, I’ll tell you all about the things we’ve seen and done, but show you none of it – sorry. Blame Frank.

alright, they’re going with “i just met a girl named maria” but that never comes to mind first.

what am i writing about? m’res had her baby this weekend! woo hoo! maria katherine is her name and she’s super cute! we went down to st. pete for a quick visit to see them and the family is doing just fine.

we took some pictures that she posted on her blog and i think my left boob might be famous – enjoy!