March 2013
The trip in numbers.
Total miles 2187 (3519 km)
Max price for fuel 4.739 $ (in Death valley)
Min price for fuel 3.899 $ (in Nevada)
Avg usage: 25 Miles per gallon
Highest point 9994 ft (3046 meters)
Roger peak, Death valley, close to Telescope peak.
Lowest point -282 ft (86 meters below sea level)
Bad water basin in Death Valley.
Most beautiful Hike:
From Golden Canyon to Zabrisky Point
Longest hike: from Charcoal Kilns (6800 ft)
to Rigers peak (9994 feet), 3194 ft (973 meter)
elevation gain.
Best off road ride: Titus Canyon over the 'Red pass'.
Biggest surprise: Rhyolite Ghost town, as an open
air museum of Belgian Artists.
Biggest disappointed: 2 weeks is way top short.
Missed so many different things.
Coldest moment 32 F (0 C)
Thorndike campground, at 7400 ft.
Warmest point: Not sure, around 95 F
Probably in Death valley, which is rather
cold for that place.
Amount of rain drops: 0
That's why you can call this a desert trip.
Cheapest beer: (Firestone ?) Amber, 2 $ in Beatty.
Most expensive beer: Squatters Hell Keep, 12 $,
in Las Vegas. In the "Public House", where I also
found one of the best mussels ever.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Thursday 28 Mar 2013
The way back to the Bay Area.
Avoiding most of the time the borring highway 5,
and took mainly the smaller roads, but still
fast due to nearly no other traffic.
The landscape changed continuously
- from dry desert with rocks and sand,
- over intensive agriculture, with plenty of
water due to the aqueducts.
- And then the bay area itself, with all
the shopping's malls.
Traffic was always quite light, especially off road,
where you could drive for hours without seeing another
car. But close to home, lost about an hour in traffic
jams (the 580 and 237 with stop and go traffic).
The way back to the Bay Area.
Avoiding most of the time the borring highway 5,
and took mainly the smaller roads, but still
fast due to nearly no other traffic.
The landscape changed continuously
- from dry desert with rocks and sand,
- over intensive agriculture, with plenty of
water due to the aqueducts.
- And then the bay area itself, with all
the shopping's malls.
Traffic was always quite light, especially off road,
where you could drive for hours without seeing another
car. But close to home, lost about an hour in traffic
jams (the 580 and 237 with stop and go traffic).
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Wednesday 27 Mar 2013
Joshua Trees, Yuccas, Cacti and so much more.
There must be plenty of snake's, but they are so extremely
camouflaged. I just passed by one to get a picture, but a
second later, nearly invisible. And yes this was a smaller
rattle, clearly distinct sound if you come to close.
Lizards, every where, but they are fast and shy. This 'Black Lizard'
wanted to spend a moment for the camera.
And rocks, everywhere. You imagination can go wild,
wild are happy faces, animals such as lions, or whatever
you feel that day.
Joshua Trees, Yuccas, Cacti and so much more.
There must be plenty of snake's, but they are so extremely
camouflaged. I just passed by one to get a picture, but a
second later, nearly invisible. And yes this was a smaller
rattle, clearly distinct sound if you come to close.
Lizards, every where, but they are fast and shy. This 'Black Lizard'
wanted to spend a moment for the camera.
And rocks, everywhere. You imagination can go wild,
wild are happy faces, animals such as lions, or whatever
you feel that day.
Tuesday 26 Mar 2013
Joshua Tree
An early start to get to Joshua Tree Desert.
Defying my GPS, I just went the direction which was
the most direct, most desert views, local drives....
And yes, shortly after I started, there was route 66.
Always something special to following "The Mother Road"
a great asphalt river linking Chicago and Los Angeles.
Also described as "a highway of hope that led thousands
of people to a new life". Not sure if the "ghostly"
view is also symbolic.
And I have to admit, a huge territory for a real
state agent. See the big business for Century 21.
This one in Goffs, but plenty of other (semi) ghost
towns around.
And again March madness, all campground fully occupied.
But could easily share which another couple. Just be
friendly.
And then the exploration of the Joshua Tree's, the
Yucca's, the hidden valley, the wall street trail,
and so much more.
Joshua Tree
An early start to get to Joshua Tree Desert.
Defying my GPS, I just went the direction which was
the most direct, most desert views, local drives....
And yes, shortly after I started, there was route 66.
Always something special to following "The Mother Road"
a great asphalt river linking Chicago and Los Angeles.
Also described as "a highway of hope that led thousands
of people to a new life". Not sure if the "ghostly"
view is also symbolic.
And I have to admit, a huge territory for a real
state agent. See the big business for Century 21.
This one in Goffs, but plenty of other (semi) ghost
towns around.
And again March madness, all campground fully occupied.
But could easily share which another couple. Just be
friendly.
And then the exploration of the Joshua Tree's, the
Yucca's, the hidden valley, the wall street trail,
and so much more.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Monday 25 Mar 2013.
A travel day.
Bad planning, could easily be in Joshua Tree,
but decided to go slowly.
Visited a national park Marina on the Colorado
river. A huge lake between Hoover dam and Davis Dam.
The nice part was the drive through the desert, with
some nice wild cacti flowers.
Passed by Davis Dam, and after some driving around,
decided to stay in Laughlin, Nevada.
in the "Colorado Belle"
of an old river steam boat. Only darn cheap, for a
huge new rooms. And the main thing: a real micro
brewery in the so called "Belle".
But before that, first an off road drive over the Christmas
pass. Again, amazing views....
A travel day.
Bad planning, could easily be in Joshua Tree,
but decided to go slowly.
Visited a national park Marina on the Colorado
river. A huge lake between Hoover dam and Davis Dam.
The nice part was the drive through the desert, with
some nice wild cacti flowers.
Passed by Davis Dam, and after some driving around,
decided to stay in Laughlin, Nevada.
in the "Colorado Belle"
of an old river steam boat. Only darn cheap, for a
huge new rooms. And the main thing: a real micro
brewery in the so called "Belle".
But before that, first an off road drive over the Christmas
pass. Again, amazing views....
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Sat Sun 23/24 Mar 2013
Las Vegas, here I come.
One thing you ( ;-) ?) should know is that distances
in US are sometimes a surprise. Driving from Beatty
to Las Vegas, is about 120 miles, and some small
towns along the way. At least according to the map.
But, after 100 miles, not one house, by far no gas
station. Just at the limit of the totally
empty gas tank, about 30 miles before Las Vegas,
there was and army base with a few trailers (they
call this a town), and luckily, a gas station.
One small addition. Somewhere halfway, there was
a T-section, with just one green house, an alien
from area 51 ?
By the way, Nevada is one big airplane shooting target
practice area.
Also, never plan to travel during march madness (spring break).
Seems that I got the last available room in Las Vegas.
Good that I arrive early enough to spend some time, and found
something very close to the strip.
Spend the afternoon visiting Hoover dam. Amazing that we could
walk inside the dam with a guide, who knew a lot about
the engineering facts, numbers, history, and a fun story teller.
A picture upwards looking, from one of vent shafts, in the
middle of the dam:
And the rest of the night on the strip in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas, here I come.
One thing you ( ;-) ?) should know is that distances
in US are sometimes a surprise. Driving from Beatty
to Las Vegas, is about 120 miles, and some small
towns along the way. At least according to the map.
But, after 100 miles, not one house, by far no gas
station. Just at the limit of the totally
empty gas tank, about 30 miles before Las Vegas,
there was and army base with a few trailers (they
call this a town), and luckily, a gas station.
One small addition. Somewhere halfway, there was
a T-section, with just one green house, an alien
from area 51 ?
By the way, Nevada is one big airplane shooting target
practice area.
Also, never plan to travel during march madness (spring break).
Seems that I got the last available room in Las Vegas.
Good that I arrive early enough to spend some time, and found
something very close to the strip.
Spend the afternoon visiting Hoover dam. Amazing that we could
walk inside the dam with a guide, who knew a lot about
the engineering facts, numbers, history, and a fun story teller.
A picture upwards looking, from one of vent shafts, in the
middle of the dam:
And the rest of the night on the strip in Las Vegas.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Friday 22 Mar 2013
Another amazing day in Death Valley.
Wake up at 7040 feet, at 34 F, is another adventure.
But hot coffee, and 1 hour later in the 80 +F valley makes all good.
Crossing to Valley, to the ghost town Rhyolite.
What a surprise, this town was now the 'goldwell open air'
museum, from the Belgian sculptor Albert Szukalski.
He is from antwerp and known for his "ghostly" shrouded
figures. But several other Belgian artist, such as Fred
Bervoets worked at the side.
From there the adventures 4x4 drive to the Titus Canyon.
The 'red pass' had even for me some scary moments, but what
an amazing set of views.
Another ghost town Leadfield. From the official sign:
This was a mining boom town founded on the wild and
distorted advertising 300 hopeful people swarned here and
a post was established in august 1926, in February 1927,
the post offic closed and the town died.
Ended the afternoon with the visit to Scott's Castle.
Spent the night in Beatty. An old miners town with still
about 1000 people. But what kind of figures...
Gun control, Obama care, all intersting topics but one
of us, is totally out of touch.
Another amazing day in Death Valley.
Wake up at 7040 feet, at 34 F, is another adventure.
But hot coffee, and 1 hour later in the 80 +F valley makes all good.
Crossing to Valley, to the ghost town Rhyolite.
What a surprise, this town was now the 'goldwell open air'
museum, from the Belgian sculptor Albert Szukalski.
He is from antwerp and known for his "ghostly" shrouded
figures. But several other Belgian artist, such as Fred
Bervoets worked at the side.
From there the adventures 4x4 drive to the Titus Canyon.
The 'red pass' had even for me some scary moments, but what
an amazing set of views.
Another ghost town Leadfield. From the official sign:
This was a mining boom town founded on the wild and
distorted advertising 300 hopeful people swarned here and
a post was established in august 1926, in February 1927,
the post offic closed and the town died.
Ended the afternoon with the visit to Scott's Castle.
Spent the night in Beatty. An old miners town with still
about 1000 people. But what kind of figures...
Gun control, Obama care, all intersting topics but one
of us, is totally out of touch.
Thursday 21 Mar 2013
Snow in Death Valley !
So, yes, decided to go to the west side mountain range.
First stop, Aguereberrey Camp. A Frenchman who got the
dream of finding gold, and stayed 40 years mining for
the gold. After 4 decades, and several mines, he was the
longest miner and most famous one but made only a total
of 175000 dollars in his whole life. Fascinating story.
Further on, thru a desert like landscape, to Aguereberry
point, 6433 ft. Again a, beautiful west point view of
death valley.
Yes, and once so high, why not continue.
Up to wildrose. Seen some (wild) mules in the
desolated landscape.
Further to chaircoal kilns. Looked first like a series
of modern lodges, but where in fact old constructions
to meld gold or silver.
Hiked from there to check the "thorndike" campground.
All warnings about high clearance and only 4x4 where
somewhat exaggerated. From there the real hike started.
From the 7000 ft to 9960 feet. And yes, many patches of
snow. Finally decided to camp even there.
Perhaps not planned at all. But quite well prepared.
Got all my sky stuff, gloves, woolen had. A sleeping bag to -10 F.
Real cozy now. And this is the real thing. Free
campground, no (expensive) restaurant in 100 miles.
But good spicy broccoli cream soup on the menu
with Duvel. A perfect, 0 dollar day.
And another point, Along to hike to the 9960 ft
lookout point, I met a couple, and he was 80 years
old, she end 70ths. Would you not be jealous to
climb fully joyfully, 3000 ft at that age.
Snow in Death Valley !
So, yes, decided to go to the west side mountain range.
First stop, Aguereberrey Camp. A Frenchman who got the
dream of finding gold, and stayed 40 years mining for
the gold. After 4 decades, and several mines, he was the
longest miner and most famous one but made only a total
of 175000 dollars in his whole life. Fascinating story.
Further on, thru a desert like landscape, to Aguereberry
point, 6433 ft. Again a, beautiful west point view of
death valley.
Yes, and once so high, why not continue.
Up to wildrose. Seen some (wild) mules in the
desolated landscape.
Further to chaircoal kilns. Looked first like a series
of modern lodges, but where in fact old constructions
to meld gold or silver.
Hiked from there to check the "thorndike" campground.
All warnings about high clearance and only 4x4 where
somewhat exaggerated. From there the real hike started.
From the 7000 ft to 9960 feet. And yes, many patches of
snow. Finally decided to camp even there.
Perhaps not planned at all. But quite well prepared.
Got all my sky stuff, gloves, woolen had. A sleeping bag to -10 F.
Real cozy now. And this is the real thing. Free
campground, no (expensive) restaurant in 100 miles.
But good spicy broccoli cream soup on the menu
with Duvel. A perfect, 0 dollar day.
And another point, Along to hike to the 9960 ft
lookout point, I met a couple, and he was 80 years
old, she end 70ths. Would you not be jealous to
climb fully joyfully, 3000 ft at that age.
Wednesday 20 Mar 2013
An epic hike from Golden Canyon to Zabrinskie point.
After a short night, remember the 'bad water ales',
and so much wind that I got the impression that
my tent was blown apart. Must be the (planned)
weight of the frigo box with the Duvels which
protected me.
Still, got an early start to go the the starting
point of the hike. It looks like just a wall of rocks
with no entry, but what a surprise. After each corner
there where different views, different colours, different
point in the creation of "Death Valley". I walked thru
millions years in the making.
The golden yellow of million years old sand beaches.
The dark red of the cathedral rocks.
Plenty of mile long side canyons.
The first hour, you walk thru the bottom of the canyon,
but the you start climbing, and the views makes you
speechless. Selecting a few out of the 200 pictures,
to describe this, is impossible.
The red cathedral
Top view of the Canyon
For the overview (half dome view) go to Dante's
point. 5000 Ft, plus the 282 feet under sea level,
makes a big change (but not really by car, dam these
modern ways to get around)
Borax company, pupfish, mosaic canyon, and sand dunes,
lots of sand, all finished the day.
Not really, the Stovepipe ale, the IPA 365, the Epic IPA,
and Death's guy ale, really finished it.
PS: The death valley ale is really a good ale.
The Stovepipe Ale (Stovepipe my rest place for the night)
is a little bit to light.
Going for the IPA 395, Mammoth Brewing) saves the
night....
Other pictures to come when the bandwidth is acceptable:
Duvelke on the 20 mule trail.
P1100864.JPG
Zoom power of my camera tested on the sand dunes
P1100983.JPG
P1100982.JPG
The waitress at the dinner, who really knew the beers, suggested
to go to Augerberry point, Lemi park. Perhaps I stay another night.
An epic hike from Golden Canyon to Zabrinskie point.
After a short night, remember the 'bad water ales',
and so much wind that I got the impression that
my tent was blown apart. Must be the (planned)
weight of the frigo box with the Duvels which
protected me.
Still, got an early start to go the the starting
point of the hike. It looks like just a wall of rocks
with no entry, but what a surprise. After each corner
there where different views, different colours, different
point in the creation of "Death Valley". I walked thru
millions years in the making.
The golden yellow of million years old sand beaches.
The dark red of the cathedral rocks.
Plenty of mile long side canyons.
The first hour, you walk thru the bottom of the canyon,
but the you start climbing, and the views makes you
speechless. Selecting a few out of the 200 pictures,
to describe this, is impossible.
The red cathedral
Top view of the Canyon
For the overview (half dome view) go to Dante's
point. 5000 Ft, plus the 282 feet under sea level,
makes a big change (but not really by car, dam these
modern ways to get around)
Borax company, pupfish, mosaic canyon, and sand dunes,
lots of sand, all finished the day.
Not really, the Stovepipe ale, the IPA 365, the Epic IPA,
and Death's guy ale, really finished it.
PS: The death valley ale is really a good ale.
The Stovepipe Ale (Stovepipe my rest place for the night)
is a little bit to light.
Going for the IPA 395, Mammoth Brewing) saves the
night....
Other pictures to come when the bandwidth is acceptable:
Duvelke on the 20 mule trail.
P1100864.JPG
Zoom power of my camera tested on the sand dunes
P1100983.JPG
P1100982.JPG
The waitress at the dinner, who really knew the beers, suggested
to go to Augerberry point, Lemi park. Perhaps I stay another night.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Tuesday 19 Mar 2013
Arrived in Death Valley from Ridgecrest.
The "Death valley" tourist information center in Ridgecrest
was not aware of any hikes or camping over there....
So, just went shopping to survive. Yes I bought water, but
I admit, I have not yet used it.
Then started the nice drive in an ever changing desert landscape.
With several stop for memorial plates, where several people died
due to the hard desert conditions.
The amazing thing, is that if you go off-round (not planned)
you see suddenly an underground bunker, which a water supply.
An ultimate dessert car wash ?
And after some ghost towns (Trona, Ballarat) and several passes
(Panamint, Wingate, emigrant pass) I arrived in the real "Death Valley",
and was soon 282 feet under sea level: Bad water, which is by the
way also a very good Ale (I know after 4 glasses).
The very small sign in the upper left corner shows the sea level:
The natural bridge in the early evening, gives great pictures, but
seeing sunset in the Artist drive, makes the mountains
become a golden place. All worth the planning, if I had known it.
If you need nice photo screen savers, let me know.
Me, in the zig zag of the roads.
To come: P1100610.JPG
Arrived in Death Valley from Ridgecrest.
The "Death valley" tourist information center in Ridgecrest
was not aware of any hikes or camping over there....
So, just went shopping to survive. Yes I bought water, but
I admit, I have not yet used it.
Then started the nice drive in an ever changing desert landscape.
With several stop for memorial plates, where several people died
due to the hard desert conditions.
The amazing thing, is that if you go off-round (not planned)
you see suddenly an underground bunker, which a water supply.
An ultimate dessert car wash ?
And after some ghost towns (Trona, Ballarat) and several passes
(Panamint, Wingate, emigrant pass) I arrived in the real "Death Valley",
and was soon 282 feet under sea level: Bad water, which is by the
way also a very good Ale (I know after 4 glasses).
The very small sign in the upper left corner shows the sea level:
The natural bridge in the early evening, gives great pictures, but
seeing sunset in the Artist drive, makes the mountains
become a golden place. All worth the planning, if I had known it.
If you need nice photo screen savers, let me know.
Me, in the zig zag of the roads.
To come: P1100610.JPG
Monday 18 Mar 2013
On my way to death valley.Started going over the Pacheco pass, down HWY 5, passing the Harris Beef feeding farm,
thru Bakersfield. And then following the scenic Kern River Valley
to Ridgecrest. Having a good dinner and drink: Amnesia IPA and Death Valley Pale Ale (Indian Wells Brewing Company, Inyokern, California).
Now, on my way to the national park "Death Valley".
Monday, March 11, 2013
Mar 2013
London
High speed train (TGV Train a Grande Vitesse) from
Rijsel to London, total distance 242 km (150 miles),
about 80 minutes, average speed 185 km per hour.
Far from the TGV test train record for the fastest wheeled
train, reaching 574.8 km/h (357.2 mph) on 3 April 2007.
Tunnel under the channel is 50.5 km (31.4 miles), and lowest
point is 75 meter under the sea floor.
Remember Harry Potter in St Pancras, platform 9 3/4.
And choices, choices
And at each corner, another choice. Try this one, or the next ?
And, then inside, still a lot of choices, for all the local beers.
And so many more.
For sure, not miss. Especially if you like horses:
Change of the horse guard.
And so many things to see: Big Ben, tower bridge, the towers,....
Then, I still skip all pictures of the crown jewel's, the torture rooms,
and the so many impressive museums.
Financial district, non stop building, ever changing skyline:
On the way, back, beautiful views off the Rockies. Initial some guess
work. For instance, was pretty sure to see Hetch Hetchy from the air,
but with the help of Google maps, could identify Hwy 120,
Moccasin / Don Pedro reservoir, Yosemite, Tulloch reservoir
and very clearly Mono lake.
Back home, after freezing Europe, was immediate in spring
time, greeted by many birds in my small garden.
London
High speed train (TGV Train a Grande Vitesse) from
Rijsel to London, total distance 242 km (150 miles),
about 80 minutes, average speed 185 km per hour.
Far from the TGV test train record for the fastest wheeled
train, reaching 574.8 km/h (357.2 mph) on 3 April 2007.
Tunnel under the channel is 50.5 km (31.4 miles), and lowest
point is 75 meter under the sea floor.
Remember Harry Potter in St Pancras, platform 9 3/4.
And choices, choices
And at each corner, another choice. Try this one, or the next ?
And, then inside, still a lot of choices, for all the local beers.
And so many more.
For sure, not miss. Especially if you like horses:
Change of the horse guard.
And so many things to see: Big Ben, tower bridge, the towers,....
Then, I still skip all pictures of the crown jewel's, the torture rooms,
and the so many impressive museums.
Financial district, non stop building, ever changing skyline:
On the way, back, beautiful views off the Rockies. Initial some guess
work. For instance, was pretty sure to see Hetch Hetchy from the air,
but with the help of Google maps, could identify Hwy 120,
Moccasin / Don Pedro reservoir, Yosemite, Tulloch reservoir
and very clearly Mono lake.
Back home, after freezing Europe, was immediate in spring
time, greeted by many birds in my small garden.
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