A Place Called Roam
  • Home
  • Tao of Travel
  • The Best Of
  • Archives
  • About
  • Contact Me

MORO ROCK: A CHANCE TO TOUCH THE SKY

11/11/2014

 
Sometimes life can feel like such an uphill battle.  
Picture
The Stairmaster, courtesy of Sequoia National Park and Moro Rock.
Some battles we choose, welcoming the challenge, the chance to test our mettle. 
Picture
Only 400 stair steps to go!
Some battles find us, testing our will to live the life we’ve been given rather than the life we’ve planned.  
Picture
People don't have a monopoly on life's challenges.
Several months ago, we (me, Jimmy, my son Ryan, and my brother Chris) chose to climb Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park.  It was a beautiful September day bolstered by the high altitude of the Sierra Nevada and the endless sunshine so typical of California; a day so often take for granted when life goes as planned.
Picture
Our day started with an early morning hike in King's Canyon Crescent Meadow.
Lately, in the midst of our unplanned sabbatical, the days thick with concern, I realize I miss the promise associated with that carefree day encased in so much beauty.  I miss the anticipation of our climb, the challenge it offered, as well as the spectacular, 360-degree view of the world (actually, more like 270 degrees, but who's counting).  
Picture
The Great Western Divide separates the Kaweah River watershed and the Kern River watershed.
Some days, I feel the need to touch the sky, to rise above the pain and suffering that occasionally defines our earthly bonds!  
Picture
Nature's palette had a bit to say about pain and suffering.
Today, I’d welcome the physical distraction of climbing Moro Rock again, all 400 steps.  I’d actually welcome the burn in my calves, the pull in my lungs, the pain in my knees.
Picture
Yeah, those are Jimmy's calves, lungs and knees, but you get the picture.
I’d welcome something, anything, to slough off the sadness that is my shadow these last few weeks.     
Picture
That is my shadow. Can you see my calves burning?
And so I’ve squeezed the memory of my climb up that granite monolith for all it’s worth,
Picture
Sometimes the going up Moro Rock got a little tight!
reveling often in the heady sense of accomplishment, 
Picture
The vertical climb was approximately 1,000 feet.
in the sheer joy of the shared experience, 
Picture
Ryan and Chris took off leading the way up Moro Rock.
Picture
Jimmy and I were all smiles again, once we reached the summit.
in the sheer wonder of this magnificent world.  I remember feeling very humbled by the beauty and grandeur of it all.   
Picture
The General's Highway snakes through the mountains of Sequoia National Park.
Life is so often humbling, one moment magnificently beautiful, the next poignantly tragic.  

------------------------

The Bottom Line on Moro Rock

Verdict:  Moro Rock offers heart stopping views and a good (but not impossible) workout minus the crowds you’d find in Yosemite National Park.  If your knees can take it, you don’t want to miss this chance to see the best side of nature.

Insider Information:   If I had it to do again, I’d have planned my 30-minute climb up Moro Rock to catch the sunrise or the sunset.  

How to Get There:  The parking lot for Moro Rock is two miles from the Lodgepole Village inside Sequoia National Park.  Sequoia National Park is approximately 4 hours northeast of Los Angeles.  This link provides specific driving directions from surrounding areas in California and from Las Vegas, Nevada.

Nearby Food:  Very little is “nearby” in Sequoia National Park.  There are several small convenience stores throughout the park offering the basics in terms of food, food service, and supplies. 


-------------------
 
You Might Also Like:  
     Iceland's Jokulsarlon           Colorado's Highway          Maui's Nakalele Blowhole       Everglades Anhinga
        Glacier Lagoon                       to the Sky                     a Restless Old Soul               Trail is Gatorific
Joan
11/11/2014 10:21:42 am

A beautiful view (as always) with a shadow of the pain you are going through now.

Sherry
11/11/2014 12:50:17 pm

I've never been a very good poker player.

Diane link
11/15/2014 09:18:00 am

The beauty of the moment is all we can count on. Life brings us a lot of stairs to climb as we reach our final destination doesn't it? Be strong! Go forth and conquer!

Miss you both!

Sherry
11/16/2014 06:11:25 am

Thanks for the encouragement, Diane. You are so right. Miss you too.


Comments are closed.

    About

    I'm searching for more meaning, magic and mystery in life through travel.  If you're searching for more info about me click on this link.   

    Categories

    All
    Attractions
    Botanic Gardens
    Cities
    Cruises
    Culture
    Europe
    Food
    Fun Foto Friday
    How You Venn?
    Islands
    Lake Geneva
    Life's Mysteries
    Middle East
    Museums/Memorials
    National Historic Landmark
    North America
    Nothing To Do With Travel
    Parks/zoos
    Photos
    Random Thoughts
    Restaurants
    This Thing Called Travel
    Top Ten
    Tuesday Travelista
    UNESCO World Heritage Site
    Who Knew?
    Zen Travel Moment

    View travelbug's photos on Trover

    Blog Roll

    This Is Indexed
    NatGeo Travel
    Science Dump
    Traveler Writers Exchange
    Matador 
    Brain Pickings
    House By the Sea
    Time Goes By
    The Happiness Project
    Dictionary of Obscure 
       Sorrows

    For Automatic Blog Updates
    in same time click the RSS Feed button below and sign up for email notices or click the Like button below for automatic updates to your Facebook page. 

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly