A few years ago, in LA, probably from Gail Seely, photographer.
11.4.16
12.3.16
Death Valley Lives!
When I found out that Death Valley was doing its 10 year "superbloom", I had to check it out. So we loaded up the convertible and took off across Highway 6 to Beatty. The next morning we spent a few hours touring the park and were quite amazed at the spectacular scene in what is normally quite dead!
Entering the park, it seems the flowers were concentrated along the roadside.
Entering the park, it seems the flowers were concentrated along the roadside.
But as we got into the park basin (below sea level!), the flowers were spread across the landscape.
Eventually we just had to pull over and explore a bit on foot. We discovered several nice little bunches of delicate flowers.
Quite an experience. And I always love Zabriskie Point (the movie was weird), amazing formations. and colors.
And finally, a few more shots of the park, and across the park to the snowcapped peaks bordering the park on the west.
11.3.16
This Post Is Radioactive!
So we take off on a little road trip along Route 6 through Nevada, then dropped down to Beatty for the night. We just had to stay at the Atomic Inn!
Pretty fun at night!
All in all I can't say this was that great of a motel, but it was fun. Think sparce, but at least clean. Hopefully the future bodes well reclaiming this property. But I doubt you'll get a fancy room for $50 when the renovations are complete.
And now I am radioactive!
Interesting history, former barracks for atomic workers at the nearby bomb test range, then a motel that became very run down, and currently, and slowly, undergoing a revival as a fun place to stay. A motel front with triplex cabins in the rear. Read more on the cool web site.
Pretty fun at night!
All in all I can't say this was that great of a motel, but it was fun. Think sparce, but at least clean. Hopefully the future bodes well reclaiming this property. But I doubt you'll get a fancy room for $50 when the renovations are complete.
And now I am radioactive!
20.2.16
17.2.16
Flying Over the Mohave
Had a window seat this last flight to OC... My god what a huge jet engine! And a nice contrast to the starkness of the Mohave Desert. Somehow its bleakness holds a fascination with me... is this some sort of environmental existentialism? Anyway, I hope to explore more of this area, on the ground, especially since Prez Obama has created (3) new national monuments in the area. And more info here...
8.2.16
Winter Road Trip--Shake Down Cruise
Recently a friend and I travelled to OC in his new car on its maiden voyage. How would this new Subaru Crosstrek handle freeway speeds? How good it the gas mileage? How about comfort? And, maybe, how does it handle a backroad?
The reason for the OC trip was NAMM. But we usually take the long way home, exploring new parts of the Southwest. This trip we decided to check out some places in Arizona. I-10 to Blythe, then across the state line and cut up to Prescott. From there, a mountain pass on the way to Sedona.
Above is a shot capturing the San Francisco Peaks (above Flagstaff). Sedona lies somewhere out there.
Just short of Sedona, we took a side trip into Red Rocks State Park. Below, a couple pics from the park:
In Sedona, we managed to avoid the palm readings, the Atlantean healing, and the Karma Cafe, amongst other new age treats, but we did stop for lunch at the Coffe Pot for 101 omelettes, and one of these cool coffee cups (upside down as presented at our table).
After lunch, we drove up Oak Creek Canyon, quite pretty, which led us to Flagstaff. Filling up with gas and snacks, we took off up 89 hoping to make Page. Just outside of page was a neat overlook. One can see the cut of the Colorado River as it begins the Grand Canyon.
In Page, we found a nice and rather cheap motel (off season!). I had a great view of the Glen Canyon Dam, and even a bit of Lake Powell. The Vermillion Cliffs are in the distance.
The next day, we continued on 89 towards Kanab. Being Southern Utah, and not having any rain for a week, we thought we would try out the Cottonwood Wash Road from 89 up to Kodachrome Basin State Park, a distance of about 40 miles of back road. Should be in good shape, right? Southern Utah... no rain... Nope! Immediately we could see significant rutting (no road grading until Spring). But still, this was up through the new Grand Staircase Monument, so the road should be good... Nope! Soon we ran into patches of snow and ice. Thankfully the temps were still in the 20's (Southern Utah?), so no mud. And fascinating formations along the road (which followed the Pariah River to some degree).
But the road was long, and I didn't realize we would ascend over 7000 feet! Soon we were in a lot of snow, and temps were rising. The last 10 miles or so were more muddy, with some slipping and sliding. But Rodney hung in there, as did his new car, and finally we made pavement at Kodachrome Basin State Park.
Unfortunately, the hiking trails in Kodachrome were closed (snow and mud), so we were hell bent for Panguitch and lunch at a local diner. Then the long drive back home. All in all, a great road trip and a perfect shake down cruise for the new vehicle.
The reason for the OC trip was NAMM. But we usually take the long way home, exploring new parts of the Southwest. This trip we decided to check out some places in Arizona. I-10 to Blythe, then across the state line and cut up to Prescott. From there, a mountain pass on the way to Sedona.
Just short of Sedona, we took a side trip into Red Rocks State Park. Below, a couple pics from the park:
In Sedona, we managed to avoid the palm readings, the Atlantean healing, and the Karma Cafe, amongst other new age treats, but we did stop for lunch at the Coffe Pot for 101 omelettes, and one of these cool coffee cups (upside down as presented at our table).
After lunch, we drove up Oak Creek Canyon, quite pretty, which led us to Flagstaff. Filling up with gas and snacks, we took off up 89 hoping to make Page. Just outside of page was a neat overlook. One can see the cut of the Colorado River as it begins the Grand Canyon.
In Page, we found a nice and rather cheap motel (off season!). I had a great view of the Glen Canyon Dam, and even a bit of Lake Powell. The Vermillion Cliffs are in the distance.
The next day, we continued on 89 towards Kanab. Being Southern Utah, and not having any rain for a week, we thought we would try out the Cottonwood Wash Road from 89 up to Kodachrome Basin State Park, a distance of about 40 miles of back road. Should be in good shape, right? Southern Utah... no rain... Nope! Immediately we could see significant rutting (no road grading until Spring). But still, this was up through the new Grand Staircase Monument, so the road should be good... Nope! Soon we ran into patches of snow and ice. Thankfully the temps were still in the 20's (Southern Utah?), so no mud. And fascinating formations along the road (which followed the Pariah River to some degree).
But the road was long, and I didn't realize we would ascend over 7000 feet! Soon we were in a lot of snow, and temps were rising. The last 10 miles or so were more muddy, with some slipping and sliding. But Rodney hung in there, as did his new car, and finally we made pavement at Kodachrome Basin State Park.
Unfortunately, the hiking trails in Kodachrome were closed (snow and mud), so we were hell bent for Panguitch and lunch at a local diner. Then the long drive back home. All in all, a great road trip and a perfect shake down cruise for the new vehicle.
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