Calaveras means skull in Spanish. Not really sure why they named a state park after a skull but I think they could’ve gone with esqueleto, skeleton. The boys and I went to this state park on another trip because Gavin wanted to go to a forest this time. Calaveras Big Trees State Park was a good choice for that. It had the largest living thing in the world, Sequoia trees. I like to think that these gigantic trees are the bones to the state park, hence esqueleto.
The weather had been hitting triple digits during that week and a little getaway from the heat would be nice. Even just going for a nice drive in the car with the AC on would be fine. I think I’m gonna have to take a picture of the boys at the front door every time we would go on our trips. Imagine them being in their 20’s and still taking pictures like that. Anyways, here’s the pictures for this trip.
The drive wasn’t too bad. Mostly hills and grasslands and cows. Boys are not fussing. They are actually really good travelers. A little brotherly bicker here and there but they are mostly troopers about travelling. I hope they have the adventure bug their whole life; I think they do. A co-worker asked me recently how I manage to find all these “cool” places, and my response was simple. I open google maps, I pan around to look for a destination, and I just go.
About two hours in to our drive and it was lunch time. I typed in brewery on google maps to see if there are any nearby or at least near Calaveras. Sure enough there was one, Snowshoe Brewing Company. I’m glad that they were open because we were hungry and I could use a break from driving. We asked for a seat outside since it was a gorgeous day. We were on some kind of opening with the redwood trees all around us. The outdoor seating was a garden and there were hundreds of ladybugs just flying around. Thing with lady bugs is that they aren’t annoying little shits like mosquitoes or flies. They somehow keep their distance, although if you wanted to you can catch one mid-air sitting down. I caught at least four.
This pizza was hella good. Apricot-ale BBQ sauce, mozzarella, pulled pork, smoked blue cheese, drool. 
Gavin’s idea for a pose. Gavin’s my favorite kind of pie, cutie pie!
We ordered a couple pizzas and a beer, Mountain Time IPA . As we headed out, I bought a 4-pack to go, Snoweizen, which is actually one of the better “weizens” I’ve had. We were only a few mins away from Big Trees. We parked and started on our trail. I just want to give a quick shout-out to my boys who can outhike anybody their age, maybe even some adults. Lesson learned on this trip, always have a bug spray.
Eric picked up a burnt piece of wood and gave himself “war paint”. 
After a good hike, we were tired and needed some shower. We stayed overnight at a town called Murphys. The next morning we took a stroll to check out the town. They have a cute downtown, and I think the most wine tasting shops I’ve seen per capita than any other town I’ve been to. Every block downtown has at least one or two wine tasting rooms. Grabbed my coffee at Gold Country Roasters. As usual, I had a mocha, and the boys had smoothies.
Very Irish feel to the town, maybe because of the name, the clover leafs painted on the street, a green paint in between the traffic lane, and the leprechaun that’s skipping around town, (kidding on that last one).
Don’t really see many apothecaries nowadays, but Murphys has one. I would’ve liked to check it out, but it’s “Corona Closed”. 
See what I mean about the Irish feel. 
Also, I guess frog is their thing or like their town animal because they are rendered throughout town.
The candy shop in town is open and of course we had to go get our cavities on. Nelson’s Candy Kitchen have been open since 1926. I’m glad they were open that day.
Had to buy this poster. 
On the way home, we passed by a car that had ran into someone’s fence. The driver was an old guy and he looks to be unconscious with the car still running and his foot still on the gas. I pulled over and helped get the guy out. His tires still spinning causing smoke and launching rocks. We had to break the window and get him out of there. As soon as I heard the sirens, I jumped back in my car and drove away, I knew it was going to be really traffic-y and I didn’t want to be stuck. The old man was safe and help’s on the way.
So overall, it was another memorable and successful trip, even helped save an old man’s life. Life is fucked up, but moments and memories like this makes it worth it.
Anyways.
The Definition of Bliss 