BajaNomad

Kings Canyon/ Sequoia National Park

David K - 8-7-2019 at 07:08 PM

One thing for sure, if David K hasn't posted or replied in a 48-hour period, then it means I am not near the Internet! :lol::cool:

Last weekend, our daughter Kristi got married to Kenny and they did so at a place Kenny has loved since he was a little boy, Kings Canyon. So, it was a camping party for friends and family. There is a lodge nearby in Cedar Grove for the few who preferred not to rough it. The rest of us camped in Sentinel Campground.

We drove up on Saturday, the wedding and party were on Sunday, and we came home on Tuesday (yesterday). The weather was ideal... never cold enough for a jacket (but pretty cool around dawn) and no bugs (only a couple of mosquito bites). Monday was a nice chill day to relax.

On the drive home, we stopped at Grizzly Falls and took the loop walk among the giant sequoia trees at the General Grant Grove.

The stats: The drive was about 7 hours with a meal and fuel stop from San Diego North County... about 370 miles. My Tacoma got around 18 mpg. The entrance fee for the park was $35 and good for a week. The camping site was about $22/ night.

Here are a few photos (sized to 640 pixels width)...


Our camp spot... Coleman Instant Tent, 8 years of Baja only camping with it.


Happy wife, Baja Angel (Elizabeth)


Wedding vows exchanged... Kristi's brother, Joshua is ordained to perform marriages (he officiated my son's wedding, last year). Joshua is the off-road racing/ trophy truck mechanic for Team Mattox and was formerly with Stewart's RaceWorks (until he was injured badly while co-driving in the Mint 400).


Grizzly Falls


Sorry, but I can't get these to show correctly. Let's just say these guys are tall!


These next two photos are the same tree, upper half and lower half...


Giant seqouoias



Something different is always fun. The camping sites all need to be reserved well ahead of time during the busy season.

John Harper - 8-7-2019 at 07:18 PM

Congratulations to the happy couple! Those Sequoia trees are something else, I remember the first ones I saw.

Don't forget to get your Golden Pass when you turn 62, it will save you 50% on campsites and free admission to national parks. I know you're getting close.

That pop-up tent has served you very well.

John

David K - 8-7-2019 at 07:26 PM

Quote: Originally posted by John Harper  
Congratulations to the happy couple! Those Sequoia trees are something else, I remember the first ones I saw.

Don't forget to get your Golden Pass when you turn 62, it will save you 50% on campsites and free admission to national parks. I know you're getting close.

That pop-up tent has served you very well.

John


Yes, thanks...
we are only a month and a half away from that magic age for the discount and early social security refunding what I paid into for so many years!

ehall - 8-8-2019 at 04:45 AM

Looks like a good time. Congratulations to the couple.

TMW - 8-8-2019 at 03:15 PM

Love the pictures and glad you two had a great time. Congratulations to your daughter and new son in law, may they have a happy and long life together.

Mother of Dragons - 8-8-2019 at 05:37 PM

Congrats to your daughter Kristi and Kenny 🥂

What a perfect place to get married❤️

It’s beautiful there. The dragons and I used to go to a great family camp there called Montecito Sequoia.
Great place to take your kids or grandkids too as they run programs for adults and kids.



[Edited on 8-9-2019 by Mother of Dragons]

advrider - 8-8-2019 at 06:31 PM

One of the many areas I'm looking forward to hiking when I thru hike the PCT! Been there several time but can't wait to see the back country. Thanks for the report.

thebajarunner - 8-8-2019 at 07:30 PM

Love my Sierras!!

And congrats to the newlyweds

Final word
Yes, you can collect SS at 62, but not if you make more than about $17k per year
Careful with this.
And, the longer you wait the higher your monthly payout.

David K - 8-8-2019 at 07:41 PM

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  
Love my Sierras!!

And congrats to the newlyweds

Final word
Yes, you can collect SS at 62, but not if you make more than about $17k per year
Careful with this.
And, the longer you wait the higher your monthly payout.


I know... Book sales don't provide enough income and my irrigation work has been more difficult for me as I get older. I would rather get some of my money back before I die than wait for a bigger amount and maybe not get any! Ha!

Whale-ista - 8-8-2019 at 09:26 PM

Felicidades! A beautiful place to begin their life together.

tiotomasbcs - 8-9-2019 at 09:33 AM

Thanks for the pics...one of my favorite spots, too. Cedar Grove and adjoining facilities /store are great. A Ranger told me about an undeveloped area called Horse Corals near Montecito. I wish our Parks weren't so crowded these days. Why BCS is my home!

caj13 - 8-9-2019 at 04:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  
Love my Sierras!!

And congrats to the newlyweds

Final word
Yes, you can collect SS at 62, but not if you make more than about $17k per year
Careful with this.
And, the longer you wait the higher your monthly payout.




I know... Book sales don't provide enough income and my irrigation work has been more difficult for me as I get older. I would rather get some of my money back before I die than wait for a bigger amount and maybe not get any! Ha!


Do the math on it David,
Turns out if my wife starts taking it at 62, as opposed to waiting till shes 70 - she would break even when she was 85. so she will take the money now.

thebajarunner - 8-9-2019 at 04:53 PM



Do the math on it David,
Turns out if my wife starts taking it at 62, as opposed to waiting till shes 70 - she would break even when she was 85. so she will take the money now. [/rquote]

__________________________________________

I would never advocate going past "full retirement" age, just to up the monthly stipend. But, going early surely limits you on being able to earn without losing some of your current benefit.

David is a young man (last time we met he looked pretty able to me) and I assumed that he still had a few more years of operating his business. Bad assumption on my part, I guess. If you are not concerned about the earned income penalty then head for the rocking chair and enjoy....

David K - 8-9-2019 at 04:53 PM

caj13: Read my post, that is what I am doing. If I make it big on TV (lol) then I won't need it so I can wait. Unless I can make more, I begin getting my money back after my next birthday.

Dick: We met a long time ago and my body is weaker however, my business was very reduced following the events made in 2008. The events after 2016 had made the industry whole again but all my business associates have not been able to stay and so much was referals and sub work from or for them. I am just too worn out to be working in the dirt so much, anyway.

[Edited on 8-10-2019 by David K]

Mother of Dragons - 8-9-2019 at 05:09 PM

Quote: Originally posted by advrider  
One of the many areas I'm looking forward to hiking when I thru hike the PCT! Been there several time but can't wait to see the back country. Thanks for the report.


I wish you a great time on the PCT. I’ve been thinking of being an Angel on it so may see you somewhere some day.
Keep us posted when you do begin!

AKgringo - 8-9-2019 at 05:13 PM

I pulled my SS at 62, and have no regrets! Well, maybe a couple of years more would have left me in a bit better financial shape, but there is no way I would have kept subjecting myself to the wear and tear and hazards of construction until I was 70!

We can chat about it sometime if you like, but this thread is about you and your family, not me.

David K - 8-9-2019 at 05:37 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
I pulled my SS at 62, and have no regrets! Well, maybe a couple of years more would have left me in a bit better financial shape, but there is no way I would have kept subjecting myself to the wear and tear and hazards of construction until I was 70!

We can chat about it sometime if you like, but this thread is about you and your family, not me.


Thank you AKgringo.
Construction is hard on the body... and my work (gluing pvc pipes and punching in emitters) is on the knees. Fortunately, my knees have not given out but my legs are weak. I know they would be happier if I lost 30 pounds, too! I have switched to light beer, what else can I do??? LOL:lol:

John Harper - 8-10-2019 at 08:46 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  


The events after 2016 had made the industry whole again,

but all my business associates have not been able to stay?


Please elaborate on those contradictory statements.

John

mtgoat666 - 8-10-2019 at 08:57 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
I pulled my SS at 62, and have no regrets! Well, maybe a couple of years more would have left me in a bit better financial shape, but there is no way I would have kept subjecting myself to the wear and tear and hazards of construction until I was 70!

We can chat about it sometime if you like, but this thread is about you and your family, not me.


Thank you AKgringo.
Construction is hard on the body... and my work (gluing pvc pipes and punching in emitters) is on the knees. Fortunately, my knees have not given out but my legs are weak. I know they would be happier if I lost 30 pounds, too! I have switched to light beer, what else can I do???


I know many that have improved their physique and health in their 60s. Here is what else you can do:
Eat better
Exercise regularly
Be disciplined

Skip gyms, they are boring so you will lose interests. Take up a sport or active pastime you enjoy, the enjoyment will help you make it a regular activity, leading to health.

BajaRat - 8-10-2019 at 09:05 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
I pulled my SS at 62, and have no regrets! Well, maybe a couple of years more would have left me in a bit better financial shape, but there is no way I would have kept subjecting myself to the wear and tear and hazards of construction until I was 70!

We can chat about it sometime if you like, but this thread is about you and your family, not me.


Thank you AKgringo.
Construction is hard on the body... and my work (gluing pvc pipes and punching in emitters) is on the knees. Fortunately, my knees have not given out but my legs are weak. I know they would be happier if I lost 30 pounds, too! I have switched to light beer, what else can I do???


I know many that have improved their physique and health in their 60s. Here is what else you can do:
Eat better
Exercise regularly
Be disciplined

Skip gyms, they are boring so you will lose interests. Take up a sport or active pastime you enjoy, the enjoyment will help you make it a regular activity, leading to health.


Less stressful lifestyle
Move to Shell Island and become a travel author
Lionel :cool

David K - 8-10-2019 at 09:41 AM

Quote: Originally posted by John Harper  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  


The events after 2016 had made the industry whole again,

but all my business associates have not been able to stay?


Please elaborate on those contradictory statements.

John


They must not have had a supportive wife with enough income because after 2008 when the housing market crashed they simply had to get different jobs. With America back on track again after 2016, my old friends in the industry have already moved on, died, or ?? Also, my past customers, all older than me, who used to refer me to their friends, are dying off... sold their homes, etc. That part is not anyone else's fault.

I was hired by many landscape contractors to do the irrigation and lighting on their jobs as well as being referred to customers by them. After 2008 the frequency of these calls was just greatly reduced. Most of them are no longer in business. The bigger landscape companies that survived all have their own irrigation people (they do terrible work and use cheap pipe and parts). I am blessed that we had a roaring economy in the 90s and most of the 2000s so as a single parent, without any financial help from my ex or the government, I was able to raise my two kids in a nice neighborhood, in a nice house, until they were adults and moved on.

In any case, I feel older and it has become very uncomfortable to do this kind of work. It was always fun for me to help others and give them great irrigation systems that last for years (good products and sch. 40 pipe, only). I have accepted that I am in my sixties now and can't do what I have since I was 22 in 1980.

David K - 8-10-2019 at 09:43 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
I pulled my SS at 62, and have no regrets! Well, maybe a couple of years more would have left me in a bit better financial shape, but there is no way I would have kept subjecting myself to the wear and tear and hazards of construction until I was 70!

We can chat about it sometime if you like, but this thread is about you and your family, not me.


Thank you AKgringo.
Construction is hard on the body... and my work (gluing pvc pipes and punching in emitters) is on the knees. Fortunately, my knees have not given out but my legs are weak. I know they would be happier if I lost 30 pounds, too! I have switched to light beer, what else can I do???


I know many that have improved their physique and health in their 60s. Here is what else you can do:
Eat better
Exercise regularly
Be disciplined

Skip gyms, they are boring so you will lose interests. Take up a sport or active pastime you enjoy, the enjoyment will help you make it a regular activity, leading to health.


This may be the nicest post you have ever made to me. Thank you!

David K - 8-10-2019 at 09:45 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaRat  
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
I pulled my SS at 62, and have no regrets! Well, maybe a couple of years more would have left me in a bit better financial shape, but there is no way I would have kept subjecting myself to the wear and tear and hazards of construction until I was 70!

We can chat about it sometime if you like, but this thread is about you and your family, not me.


Thank you AKgringo.
Construction is hard on the body... and my work (gluing pvc pipes and punching in emitters) is on the knees. Fortunately, my knees have not given out but my legs are weak. I know they would be happier if I lost 30 pounds, too! I have switched to light beer, what else can I do???


I know many that have improved their physique and health in their 60s. Here is what else you can do:
Eat better
Exercise regularly
Be disciplined

Skip gyms, they are boring so you will lose interests. Take up a sport or active pastime you enjoy, the enjoyment will help you make it a regular activity, leading to health.


Less stressful lifestyle
Move to Shell Island and become a travel author
Lionel :cool


Great plan! I have done the second part already!