The first day of our family "national park" journey led us to the very heart of Sequoia National Park on June 14. Sequoia National Park was established in 1890 as the third U.S. national park, after Yellowstone National Park and the now-decommissioned Mackinac National Park. The park spans 404,051 acres. Encompassing a vertical relief of nearly 13,000 feet (3,962.4 meters), the park contains among its natural resources the highest point in the contiguous 48 United States, Mount Whitney, at 14,505 feet (4,421.1 meters) above sea level. The park is adjacent to Kings Canyon National Park; the two are administered by the National Park Service as one unit, called Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

The park is most famous for its Giant Sequoia trees, including the General Sherman tree, the largest tree on Earth. The General Sherman tree grows in the Giant Forest, which contains five out of the ten largest trees in the world, in terms of wood volume.

LEFT: As with each of the Fabijanic-Hoedl expeditions, Lee is responsible for photography. Di and Julie focus on the identification of eating and snacking establishments along our route, while Chuck looks for the cheapest (but accommodating) hotel reservations along our journey. At this particular moment, the gang has arrived to the very outskirts of the park and are discussing the best "game plan" for seeing the most of Sequoia National Park.

RIGHT: Julia Fabijanic and Leo Hoedl, enjoying the rock formations at our first stop along the day's route.

LEFT: Julia, P.J., Abby and Leo pose in front of the General Sherman sign and largest tree on Earth.

RIGHT: Julia and Leo skip along the trails of Sequoia National Park.

LEFT: Julia, Abby, P.J. and Leo jump in front of the camera while Lee is trying to capture the size of the Sequoias.

RIGHT: Di enjoys the Sequoias. At this point in 2003, Di is five months pregnant with the Hoedl triplets, who would come to be known as Emily, Hannah and Nicholas.

LEFT: Lee, Julie and Chuck take in each placard and enjoy the views and smells of Sequoia National Park.

RIGHT: Di and Julie stop for a short break. Di welcomes each and every rest in the national parks.

LEFT: Di and Julie are serene while Chuck and the kids run through the walking tour of the Sequoias.

RIGHT: Abby, resting on the Sequoias.

LEFT: A single image of the General Lee.

RIGHT: P.J. stands as tall as the Sequoias.

LEFT: Another glamour shot of Leo and Julie on the rock formations of Sequoia.

RIGHT: Following a day at Sequoia National Park, the group stops off for pizza at a quaint pizza restaurant.

LEFT: One of the funniest sights on our trip: a gaming machine that is practically empty but touts "Play Till You Win!" The kids finally did receive their one tootsie roll after several tries.

RIGHT: Chuck finds the group a modest motel with an outdoor pool. Di and Julie relax while the kids splash and swim.

LEFT: Julie, Lee and Chuck chill out poolside.

RIGHT: Lee and Chuck discover the horseshoe pit on the motel grounds. They sport their classic athletic stances.