General Sherman Tree, Sequoia National Park...

Meet General Sherman the largest living thing in the world (by a volume measurement). Standing in front of the Union Civil War hero is me, one of the smallest living things on the planet by volume.

See the difference?

Fun Big Tree Factoids: If one were able to fill this club shaped red and green behemoth with water, it would be enough liquid to fill a bathtub each day for 27 years. (Who takes baths these days anyway. Talk about "stewing in your own juices" Yech!)

The General owns a 36.5' diameter at its base. It's largest branch has a diameter of 6.8'. 

It's a good thing the Sequoia's wood is so brittle, soft and kind of a weak, or else they might have befallen the same fate as their Redwood relatives. 

As you can see from the photos, the sequoias have a lot of groupies. People from all over love to see these big fellas. I think the trees need an agent besides the National Park Service. 

Happy 5775! 

Manzanar Japanese-American Internment Camp...

If you have been reading my blog, you're aware of my love for the U.S. By following  the simple rules of paying my taxes and obeying the laws, Barley and I are allowed to galavant as we please in America's wonderlands. Piece of cake! 

That being said, I know my country makes mistakes. IE: requiring bear canisters, Operation Plumbbob (testing the effects of nuclear blasts on U.S soldiers), the Republican  Tea Party and sadly the internment of Japanese Americans (without due process) from their west coast homes and businesses after the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor. 

I felt compelled to make a stop at Manzanar in the Owens Valley to see the historical remains of America's less then stellar moments. 

In February 1942, FDR issued Presidential Order 9066, authorizing the removal of those who might thwart the war effort. In other words, Japanese Americans who were guilty by association. 

At Manzanar's peak, 10,000 evacuees resided in an Army barracks type of living situation. Often times, strangers lived with strangers. Personal space went out the door. Sanitation was an afterthought. These people were robbed of there rights! 

After nuking Japan, the war in the Pacific ended. The internees were free to leave. For their troubles, they were handed $25 each. Not even a sorry for the inconvenience. 

It wasn't until 1988, the U.S. Civil Liberties Act awarded the survivors $20,000 each and a formal apology. Too little, too late.

BTW: No Japanese American was ever accused or arrested for espionage during WWII. 

If one individual loses their Constitutional rights, we all lose.

Goodnight from Lone Pine, CA

The Palisades, John Muir Wilderness...

"The mountains are calling and I must go." John Muir

So I went! For one last hurrah backpack trip into the eastern Sierra Nevada. If you remember from my last post, the garments in my backpack were beginning to outweigh the food items. This time it was a good thing.  I woke to White Death (AKA snow). Yech! 

Jews don't do snow. We are NOT the "Frozen Chosen." 

Ma Nature and my achy knees, shoulders, back and other extremities are telling me it's time to go for gentler hikes. I've been going uphill for well over a month. My body is saying "Bring  on Kansas!"

So...mañana I'll be heading to Sequoia National Park to hug a few of the big guys. The great thing about trees is they won't run away from an embrace. Wish I could say the same thing about my infrequent dates.

Goodnight from Lone Pine, California