Calaveras Big Trees in the snow!

You know when something is so amazingly beautiful...you just can't stop taking pictures? ...or in my case asking my sister if she'd gotten that spot or this spot yet? (as my camera's mem. card was FULL! oops.) Thanks Syd! (beware...we took hundreds of pictures and I included my most of my faves).

We took a day trip over to Calaveras Big Trees State Park (closer than the Giant Sequoia National Park). We knew it'd be cold but had no idea it'd be a winter wonderland! Luckily I threw in the kids snow boots! Unfortunately I didn't bring their snow pants and they ended up with very wet pants - but my mom purposefully left their pajama pants on under their real pants for warmth...good thing cause it kept them a little more dry. The boys could not stay out of the snow from the moment they got out of the van! By the end, Ryan didn't care one bit that he was practically an ice cube...Sean enjoyed the view from Grandpa's shoulders or mom's piggy back on the last 1/6th of the trail because his pants were wet and heavy and he didn't like walking in them.

The moss-snow factor looked neat.

We had so much fun exploring the trees in the snow! And though my parents and sister live where it snows during the winter, it was different and magical for them too...there's a difference between snow in your neighborhood and snow in the middle of a forest. Magic!

This is the underside of a tree that fell...where the roots broke off.

Interestingly enough, while the trees can live for thousands of years, they do have shallow roots and are a brittle wood. Therefore, some fall and when they do, they usually will break in chunks.

The reddish tint to the Giant Sequoia bark with the snow was beautiful!

Yes, my dad has a neon orange hunting cap on...we have no idea where we got it, but it was in my warm clothes stash and so I threw it in, just in case. It helped.

The famous stump...totally covered in snow, makes it less impressive. Without snow, Ryan would be several feet off the ground.

The stairway was mashed down snow and pretty slick...so the boys slid down on their bums. Sean left a blue streak from his dark blue jeans.

Here is Ryan and his "ice pick."
I'm pretty sure all boys search for good sticks anytime, and especially on hikes. I know mine have found many over the years...but this is my favorite. This one was so perfect in the snow. He was such a boy scout as he used it to clear the trees numbered plaques of ice and snow.

Ahhh...bundled baby. An angel in his baby bunting and backpack!

Ever seen The Christmas Story when Ralphy and his brother are so bundled up in their snow clothes they can't move? That was Kyle... luckily he didn't have to move.

Over the river and through the woods...

Sisters by the "Sisters" trees.

Syd sunk into snow...she's actually taller than me.

This winter wonderland was even more spectacular because there was snow everywhere and the sun was shining. The contrasts of the blue sky, white snow and green and reddish brown bark from the trees was stunning.

Unforgettable.