Celeste's Creations: Calaveras Big Trees

While on my staycation, I decided to take a daytrip down to Calaveras Big Tress outside of the town Arnold. Fonda has heard about this place that was closer than Yosemite and more impressive than the Maricopa Redwood Forest. So for mom's 64th birthday, we all piled into her car and drive to the woods. It's an easy drive to the state park (unless you are Fonda and panic at the sight of a hill in front of you). The drive only took about 2 hrs total and yet it seems like you are deep in the forest here.
We started our day with a quick picnic lunch before heading off on the less than 2 mile hike. This trail is the easiest hike through a forest of trees so tall you can fit it into the frame of a picture. The trail is clearly marked and graded with gravel for ease of walking (or even wheelchair accessible). There is also a vistors guide you can purchase for 50cents and it gives the history of each Big Tree and other interesting facts about the park.
After a couple hours in the woods we decided to head further into the park to see the river. After a quick reststop (which you didn't want to be downwind from) we find the parking lot right next to the river. Now for someone who are used to beaches, this is your typical climb over rocks to a ranging river that you don't want to jump into even on the hottest of days. The water was freezing and the water was quickly moving downstream. We crossed the bridge and Jasmine and I climbed down to get a closer look at the river rapids (Jasmine had to stay on higher ground as no one was prepared to jump in and safe her if she fell in).
We had a great day filled with nature and then headed home through Jackson and had dinner at a local diner, where everyone seemed to know each other.
I would highly recommend this as easy, quick, and pretty getaway from the busy city and enjoy all that nature has to offer to renew you soul. A great way to spend a birthday!