Apr 2013

Not much to report.

Visited San Francisco a few times.
Springtime (Close to Embarcadero center).

Always surprised how many good restaurants there
are, even with ever more and more surprising list
of (Belgian) Beers.

Tried mussels at http://www.starbellysf.com/
- Bockor “Bellegems Bruin” West Flanders Ale,
- Gageleer “Sweet Gale Ale”, Barley Beer, earthy, herbaceous
- Strubbe’s, Flemish Red Ale, Grand Cru

Some other restaurants on the list now:
Beretta, 1199 valencia
Maven, 598 Haight St
Bar jules, 609 Hayes St
Commenwealth, 2224 Mission Street (at 18th),

But also the availability of the US microbreweries,
is getting more and more amazing by the day.
Tried some in San Pedro Square, San Jose.

Hellhound on My Ale
American Double / Imperial IPA style beer brewed
by Dogfish Head Brewery in Milton, DE

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.

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).

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.

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.

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....

Sunday 24 Mar 2013

An extra day in Las Vegas.

Just walking the strip, and being impressed
by the architecture, the monumental entrance and
casino rooms. Some with good taste, some only
to overwhelm you.

And of coarse, a show of Cirque the Soleil is
always very impressive.