Miscellaneous
Sequoia National Park and Sequoia National Forest has amazing camping, and this is something that I found out on my 19th birthday. Looking back, there couldn't have been a better way to spend it than in the middle of a grove of giant trees over a hundred feet tall! We started our venture from Las Vegas during early morning hours and had a nice road trip ahead of us. We drove past a few lakes, oil fields, and even some farms to get to the land of these mystical trees. Prior to beginning our journey, my friend Ashley and I had the impression that we reserved a campground inside of the national park. As the miles got closer, we realized that this was a bit of a false assumption. We did not know that there was a difference between the national park and the national forest. I was bummed out that we would have to drive over an hour to get to the "General Sherman" tree and I was a bit hesitant to camp in a location that was less crowded than the national park. Instead of immediately cancelling, we concluded that we should at least take a glimpse at our reserved location and go from there. After a few GPS malfunctions and a couple of wrong turns, I started smelling fresh air. Wildflowers littered the roadside and pines created a natural shade that my sunburnt face greatly appreciated. As I stared out the windows hoping to spot a black bear, I saw the entrance of our campground. With a smile that spread ear to ear, I read the sign. Belknap Campground was where we were staying for the next four nights, and that decision was finalized as soon as we drove through the gates. Our lucky spot, 15, was steps away from a rushing creek and gigantic sequoias. We were in another world, the kind that was created by the minds of fictional writers. I had never camped in a non-desert environment, so I was ecstatic to be treated to such luxury for a first time campground. I sprinted out of the car and immediately scoped the creek for potential fishing opportunities and searched the campsite for the best place to construct our tent. After setting up our home for the next couple of days, we explored the 'neighborhood' and made friends with fellow campers. The sun was setting and it was time to return to our fire. Roasting some mallows and reflecting on the first day's adventure was a wonderful wrap to the gift which was my birthday.