Arnold, CA…We stopped by Calaveras Big Trees State Park on Saturday Morning to see how Discovery Day was going. It was going well and the park was packed as the first line of business was to find a parking spot. All of the main lots were filled and there were two spots left when we arrived. So based on the lack of parking evidence we deduced that Discovery Day was a unqualified success.

About Discovery Day from the CBTA… “History Comes Alive. On July 20th, 2019, Calaveras Big Trees State Park will offer a special event called Discovery Day. It’s a celebration of the “Discovery” of the Giant Sequoia Trees. Park docents will share the stories of how our park came to be. Visitors may pick up a “Passport” and visit the 5 locations near the Visitor Center to hear the brief presentations. When visitors present their stamped passport, they will be gifted a souvenir.

The park will be opened as usual for Discovery Day and regular activities will take place.

A replica of a gold miner’s camp will be near the campfire area for you to see.

In addition, Salvatore Manna, a local author, will be in the education building with his presentation of Alfred Russel Wallace’s visit to the Big Trees. Wallace and Charles Darwin coincidentally conceived the idea of evolution at the same time. In 1889, Alfred Wallace traveled to our area to admire our Giant Sequoias. He also visited his brother who came during the gold rush and settled in an area now known as Wallace.

The Passport activities will take place between 11:00 and 2pm. Mr. Manna’s presentations will be at 11:30, 12:30 and 1:30.

Cold averages and ice cream will be sold in the warming hut and a food truck will be at the park near Jack Knight Hall and a good time will be had by all.

Did you read that right? A FOOD TRUCK WILL BE AT THE PARK for discovery day!”