KCNP: Roaring River Falls & Zumwalt Meadow

Kings Canyon National Park is strange in that the General Grant Tree is part of the park, but then you drive about thirty miles through the Sequoia National Forest before hitting Kings Canyon again.  Our next stop was Roaring River Falls, which is just a short hike from the parking lot.

The river was pretty low due to the drought…not exactly “roaring”.

At least there was still some water for the waterfall.  Note the guy on the left who jumped from the cliff.  We advised k and n not to do that when they are older!

Our final Kings Canyon stop was Zumwalt Meadow.

The clear water was so lovely.

Crossing a bridge is always fun.

 

The meadow was so pretty, just like a postcard.

The kids were starting to complain, but we found the perfect resting spot.

Kings Canyon National Park—General Grant

We just returned from a whirlwind trip through Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.  We left early Thursday morning and arrived at the Kings Canyon Visitor Center after 10 a.m. 

Having been to several national parks with the kids now, we have established a “routine”.  We pick up the junior ranger booklets first thing, and then watch the visitor center’s movie.  This gives us a good overview of what to expect.  I also make sure to stamp my National Park passport.

We also take a picture with the entrance sign.  Unfortunately, we were unable to take one with the Sequoia sign.

Our first hike was the General Grant Tree Trail.

One of the first of many “big tree” sightings.

Fallen Monarch

I think walking through the trunk gave the kids some perspective as to how large these trees are.

The log had a “window”.

Gamlin Cabin—VERY dusty!

And the star of the show…the General Grant Tree, aka America’s Christmas Tree

You have to stand far back in order to take a picture of the entire tree!

  

More sequoia tree families.

Angels Game and a Random Act of Kindness

Last night, we watched the Angels play the Marlins courtesy of the OC Register.  D was prepared to pay the $10 parking fee, when the attendant asked if we were a family.  Puzzled, D said yes, and then she said that someone had given her a preferred parking pass to give to a family.  So, we did not have to pay for parking, and were able to park really close to the stadium!  That was such a nice surprise and was much appreciated.

For evening games, try to sit in left field so you are in the shade earlier.

Our seats were really high up.  People around us were joking about getting nosebleeds.  However, k actually did get a nosebleed!

I really like Angels Stadium…it is kept up well, and it does feel like our “home team”.

We were too high up for the t-shirt cannons.

Putting my zoom to the test.

We won, 8-2.  We left after the 7th inning.

Atlantis Play Center and More Shaved Snow

It is not a secret that I am a homebody.  Sometimes I have to force myself to get out of the house!  Today I decided to take k and n to Atlantis Play Center in Garden Grove.  This is a place that I had always heard/read about, but had never been.  Admission is a reasonable $2 per person. 

The park is not too large, yet there is ample room to explore.  There are mini playgrounds spread throughout the park.  There were a couple of day camp vans, but it was not too crowded. 

This seemingly simple feature was k and n’s favorite.  They ended up playing on it for a solid twenty minutes, and only stopped because a couple of kids wanted to go on it after seeing how much fun k and n were having. 

This dragon slide is the most famous feature of the park.  Also the most crowded.

 

There was also a water feature section, but we were not prepared with sandals and towels, so we just stopped by.  The water was actually a little warm!  There is also ample seating to bring food and eat lunch.  We brought banh mi from Banh Mi Che Cali, which is only a couple of miles away.

In the afternoon we went to Wafflette in the Foothill Ranch Town Center because I heard they were giving away free shaved snow.  This version tasted creamier than Class 302.  Not having to share with the kids meant that I was able to order the Green Tea flavor! 

Class 302 Is In Session

Today I took k and n to check out a new Taiwanese restaurant, Class 302.  This place was actually recommended to us a while back by my Taiwanese sister in law.  We had a coupon for a free mini Summer Harvest shaved snow, so we had to try it out.

The set up is cute, like a classroom.  There is a dine-in section on one side, and a take-out/DIY boba section on the other.

This is the topping bar for the tea drinks.  I am curious about the milk and egg pudding toppings.  The regular size is $4.50 and a large is $5.50, so it is on the expensive side, but the drinks are quite large.  We would definitely share!  Some people were complaining that the teas are too sweet, but I did notice an unsweetened jasmine green tea option.  I think that would taste good, with a little of the milk tea mixed in.  The cool thing is that it is totally customizable, just like nearby Yogurtland. 

Well, we placed our order, and I let n hold the buzzer.  He kept on asking when it would buzz, and I kept on telling him to be patient.  Eventually, my patience ran out and I double-checked with the counter person who took my order.  She had a look of surprise and admitted that she had forgotten to put the order in the kitchen.  In a few minutes, another co-worker came out with two of the “mini” size shaved snows!  That was worth waiting a little extra for.    Kudos for good customer service, too.

The Summer Harvest has milk snow, strawberries, mango, and honeydew, and condensed milk.  The kids loved the mango, so next time we will definitely have to try the specialty mango shaved snow.  I also want to try the popcorn chicken and maybe the porkchop.  Not too sure if I would be brave enough to try the stinky tofu that my SIL talks about.

I loved the unique texture of the snow, and it was not too sweet, just right. 

A Zoo-rific Birthday Party

On Sunday, we went to a birthday party for k and n’s third cousin, who turned two years old.  The party was held at Santa Ana Zoo.  The birthday girl’s mom always puts on a great party, and this was no exception.

First off, how cute is her outfit…and that cake?

There were two types of cake inside—banana and marble.

Everything was jungle-themed.

Food was catered by Corner Bakery, along with pizza.

The little ones rode the carousel.

n was just tall enough to ride by himself.  They said that the carousel went pretty fast.

We also rode the train for the first time.

It was a fun way to see the animals.

n said that he still remembers when D fed the ostriches in Solvang.

The party area is spacious, and was tucked into the back of the zoo.  The trees provided nice shade during the warm afternoon.

The kids each received a monkey as part of their goody bag.  What a fun party!

Holding Onto The Last Few Weeks of Summer

Last week D was in Baja, building houses with our church.  I thought the kids might drive me crazy, but it was not too bad.  Just when I needed a break, the kids’ previously scheduled sleepover at my parents’ house occurred.  I am so, so thankful for having them close by and willing to watch k and n whenever needed!  In addition, k had her first “official” sleepover with her girl scout troop at the Long Beach Aquarium!

I was a bit nervous about how she would do on her own, but she did just fine.  This trip was paid for with part of the money that the troop earned selling cookies.  What a neat experience for the girls.

Since n and I were on our own for the night, I treated him to McDonalds for a happy meal.  That made him happy (and yes, his hands do look freakishly large in this picture).

After D came home from Baja, we went to my parents’ house to celebrate my mom’s birthday.

Since my mom likes root beer, my sister made a root beer cake, made with root beer and root beer extract—yum!