Store Cooked Turkey and Giant Trees

This year, I tried something different for Thanksgiving. Instead of spending 3 days cooking, I decided to be lazy and order a pre-cooked holiday meal from the local grocery store. It's funny that I did that because I used to work in a grocery store that offered pre-cooked meals and I remember thinking to myself that I would never in a million years do that. But after several years of making a 15+ pound turkey and figuring out what to do with the 14+ pounds of leftovers, I decided that the 6 pound turkey breast plus 3 sides, gravy and a free pumpkin pie for $60 might actually be a good idea. Plus this freed up a LOT of time to do other stuff. And the other 'stuff' I chose to do was to take a drive through the Sequoia National Forest with the dogs. After all, I had a friend in town and wanted to show him some sights. Plus I had never been there before and have been dying to go so this was the perfect opportunity.

We left and it was ugly and foggy here in Fresno. Fortunately, once we got to the higher elevations it was crisp, cool and beautifully sunny! Here are some highlights...

First we came across a nice little lake (Hume). Not one single solitary soul besides us was there, which meant the dogs got to run around off leash. I guess most people don't go visiting National Parks on Turkey Day. I bet it's packed in the summertime.

 

Despite the fact that the water was probably freezing, the dogs couldn't resist going for a swim.

 

 

George was so happy! So was Dora because she got to roll around in some kind of dung which made for a delightful drive home.

 

Oh what the dogs would have done to be able to play with her!

 

 

Then we came across a grove of Sequoias in Kings Canyon National Park. These are some BIG trees!

 

 

I could probably live inside this one.

 

 

I've always been kind of a tree hugger, but this gives it a whole new meaning!

 

 

I was going to climb it, but decided I wasn't quite that ambitious.

 

 

Good thing too because I didn't see this sign until after....

 

 

Glad I wasn't around when this came down!

 

 

Hello...I'm inside a ginormous tree.

 

 

This was the prettiest cross section of a tree trunk I've ever seen.

 

Somebody is a wise guy....

 

Amazing sunset to end a beautiful day!

We got back and heated up our turkey dinner. I even made my own sweet potato casserole and broccoli au gratin, plus 'embellished' the brussels sprouts with bacon I got with my pre cooked meal. I think this might be my new Thanksgiving tradition!

Comments

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Ahhh Laura... I'm sooo happy you opted for the TREES!!!! Loved all the pictures... wish I could just live in the middle of that forest! Thank you for posting all about it! Love, Selah Gay xo