This 1/3 mile, paved loop trail takes you by the General Grant Tree and a picturesque grove of sequoias.
The General Grant tree is a spectacular 267′ tall: the third tallest tree on earth. Here’s the Wikipedia entry on the General Grant tree:
The tree was named in 1867 after Ulysses S Grant, Union Army general and the 18th President of the United States (1869–1877). President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed it the “Nation’s Christmas Tree” on April 28, 1926. Due in large part to its huge base, the General Grant tree was thought to be the largest tree in the world prior to 1931, when the first precise measurements indicated that the General Sherman was slightly larger. On March 29, 1956, President Dwight D Eisenhower declared the tree a “National Shrine”, a memorial to those who died in war. It is the only living object to be so declared.
In 2005 the General Grant moved up one place in the giant sequoia size rankings, when the Washington tree lost the hollow upper half of its trunk after a fire. Once thought to be well over 2,000 years old, recent estimates suggest the General Grant tree is closer to 1,650 years old. In 2012, it was determined that the General Grant was the third largest tree in the world, behind the General Sherman and President.
The main trail is an easy loop … very stroller friendly.
The Lincoln tree.
When this tree was cut down & a slab sent to the Philadelphia centennial, easterners did not believe it was real.
Sequoias are amazing.
This is the burn scar on the uphill side of the General Grant tree. Most burn scars are on the uphill side … because that’s where most deadfall rolls into place.
The General Grant tree was designated the nation’s Christmas tree in 1926 by President Coolidge.
General Grant tree, through a gap in the surrounding trees.
The sequoia grove known as the family. Sequoias grow close to each other to entertwine their roots … so that none will fall over.
A wild Scarlet Columbine!
Caught this bird in mid-song.
Sequoia needles.
A composite image of the General Grant tree. 267′ tall.
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Dwight David Eisenhower (1890 – 1969)
The 34th President of the United States, 1953 – 1961
Normal Rockwell’s Dwight Eisenhower
AKA: Ike
From: Born in Texas, raised in Kansas
College: United States Military Academy
Married to: Mamie Geneva Doud
Children: Doud Dwight and John Sheldon Doud Eisenhower
Party: Republican
Previous Jobs: Night supervisor at a creamery, US Army, US Chief of Staff of the Army, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Chief of Staff of the Army, University President, NATO Supreme Commander
In His Words: “Neither a wise man or a brave man lies down on the tracks of history to wait for the train of the future to run over him.”
“There is one thing about being President — nobody can tell you when to sit down.”
“Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history.”
“Plans are worthless, but planning is everything.”
“The one quality that can be developed by studious reflection and practice is the leadership of men.”
“Un-American activity cannot be prevented or routed out by employing un-American methods; to preserve freedom we must use the tools that freedom provides.”
Not true: There’s a viral email that makes the rounds stating that “Operation Wetback,” which ran during Eisenhower’s administration, deported 13,000,000 illegal immigrants. It’s stated this program also swept up and deported large numbers of legal residents and citizens. Though the program did exist, it resulted in less than 100,000 deportations, and perhaps an additional 500,000 illegal immigrants leaving the country before they were apprehended. The program was controversial and there were reports of abuse, but not nearly on the scale alleged by the viral emails.
True: Eisenhower was responsible for the lives of millions during WWII, as he was in charge of war planning, and later implementing those plans, in Europe. He oversaw the invasion of Italy and the liberation of western Europe from Nazi control. He was the first General elected President since Ulysses S Grant, and is one of only 5 Presidents that did not hold an elected office before becoming President.
The Official Portrait:
This painting is the official portrait of the President. The artist, J. Anthony Wills from Houston, Texas painted 5 copies of the portrait. One of them hangs in the White House and one is at his Presidential Library in Abilene, KS. The location of the other three copies is unknown.
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