Road Trip - April 2017, Part 6
Death Valley. Not the most inviting name. Cold and snow don't bother me, but heat makes me run. So I never expected to grow to love it like I did. But first I had to get there. I ended up taking the 155 through Sequoia National Forest, a beautiful drive on a crazy winding road, with 8, 11, and 14% grades. I pulled over at the top of a pass to take this shot:
This is the backside of the Sierras. What a difference a rain shadow makes.
...and I heard this intense buzzing sound, like a giant insect. I spun around, but it was a cyclist. He'd crested the pass, headed downhill, and you could tell he was thrilled. Three more followed in hot pursuit.
The road is a very fun challenging drive, best if you drive stick, which I do. My little Corolla did pretty well, but couldn't corner like the horde of tricked out Austin Minis going the other way. I counted at least 20, often in tight groups of 4 or more, but only got a quick snap of this one:
I had planned to stay the night in Ridgecrest, but decided to make a detour to Red Rock Canyon State Park. I had to change out of my wool socks and put away my fleece sweater. It was my first taste of desert heat, and I kind of liked it:
They call it Red Rock Canyon for a reason.
Enjoying it more than expected, and glad for the hat.
There was a surprising amount of wildlife: plenty of lizards, and quite a few birds, and also a desert tortoise.
He thinks he's hiding in the sand.
Looking for bugs in all the right places...
Someone's been eating his veggies.
I didn't really have the equipment to capture the variety of small flowers, but the prickly pear were in bloom:
Enthused by this side trip I headed to Ridgecrest for the night, anticipating Death Valley.
