Tue Apr 16 2013

Bye bye California, bye bye Nevada, now in Arizona

Basically just driving about 400 miles, with a few stops:

Area 51 Alien center

Passed a few Brothels, at least that was the sign.

Over the Hoover Dam

Stopped in Chloride, soon to be a real ghost town,
where the gas was still 35 cent, only empty pomps.

Stayed in Williams, AZ
Close to Grand Canyon.

And yes, I'm back on route 66.
Cruiser's cafe 66, the Grand canyon micro brewery.
Tried "the eight wonders of the Grand Canyon",
Wheat, pils, Pale, Season, Amber, Stout, IPA, RASB

Mon Apr 15 2013

Passing Death Valley, ended this time a sandstorm.

Stayed in Lone Pine, under Mount Whitney.
After a nice dinner (Tilapia) and a few blue moons,
with the basic question orange or lemon).

Up to the north entrance of death valley.
And yes, you see wild life in the desert

And death valley: old mines, huge (700 ft) sand dunes,
Ubehebe crater, castles, miles and miles of desert.
Imagine driving for 160 miles the whole day,
and not seeing one house, except scotty's castle.
The underground tour is a must. There you see the
Pelton water turbine at it best use, and also
the largest private use of the Thomas Edison
Nickel Irom Alkaline battery set of 15 KW.
Amazing that this is still functional.
For something started in 1920, it's amazing
how modern technology was pushed. With mainly
the pelton pomp to generate electricty, but
many, many other techniques to insulate, make it
earth quake prove, solar power for heating water
and so much more.

Looked at, and went down, and up again
the Ubehebe crater. Needed to have some
exercise. Especially fighting the whole time
against the very strong winds.

From the top

Inside the crater

It ended ended in a mayor sand storm.
Could hardly see where I was driving.
So, instead of camping, moved my plans to
escape the Beatty. Still a save place, with
the cheapest place I know for an "amber bock".

Sun Apr 14 2013

What started easy, ended up the mount Whitney trail.

Along the way, passed 'Manzanar' Historical side.
Where the Japanese people where voluntary send to
for there own protection. Most people call this a
concentration camp. At least, under Reagan, they
called this a mistake.
Saw an emotional witness movie, narrated by the
children which grow up in the camp.

Mostly empty now, but the watchtower is still there.

Went on, to 'Lone Pine', and got some good info
in the tourist office.

Could not skip the trail to mount Whitney.
Saw several people coming down from a 2 day
hike to the top, all happy but exhausted.
This is the highest top 14,494 ft in the
continuous USA.
Something to do, but I don't have the crampons,
backpack and other necessities to survive going
to the top. Also, a permit has to be reserved
far in advance.
So, only did the part, which can be done without
the permit.

After the hike, cruised thru the Alabama Hills,
on 'Movie Rd'. Really, the landscape you remember
from most Western Movies: lonely ranger, How the
west was won, Gunga Din, and so many more.

See the pass going up into the mountain ?
The way to the house of the Dragon. Sorry,
mount 'Whitney', but I'm reading the 'Hobbit'.

Sat Apr 13 2013
I have seen Methuselah in Bristlecone Pine Forest.

Not sure where to go, I tried exploring the 168, one
of the historical 'Westgard gard road'. And hoping
that the upper hills where open for some hiking.
And yes, Schuman Grove was open. A very beautiful
hike and also very informative.

Dr Schulman, an dendrochronolgist, studied the
local Bristlecone pine trees, and searching for
climate records in tree rings.
He found the oldest living tree.
It was dated to be over 4,600 years old.
Dr Schulman named this tree Methuselah. And the
tree continues to survive and even produce viable
seeds just like it's 3000 and 4000 years old neighbors.

Could be the right one, not sure,  but it shows there is
still snow, the rocky ground, the erosion (a few inches
every 100 years, but enough to show all the roots).

One of markers along the trail:

Discovery is the result of a unique combination of curiosity
observation, knowledge, and persistence. Dr. Edmund Schulman was
searching  this area on 1953 for very old trees in an attempt to
uncover the secrets hidden in thousands of years of tree growth.

Also the views are amazing. On one side the snow covered
peaks. On the other side death valley in the far, far
distance. Also, surrounded by high mountains "Deep spring
lake", that in spring has some water, but most of the
time is a huge dry salt lake. There is also the
view with several huge telescopes. Owens valley
radio observatory. Only a full panoramic shot will show this.
What about from this restroom ?

And this is the center/right  of the picture above.

Was even so impressed by the hike, the views, the
nature around me that I decided to stay camping
up high in the mountains. Very nice in the sun(set)
A little windy, but we will see what the night brings.
By the way, this place is also marked for stargazing.
Far from all possible light pollution.

Update on the 'best' pub in town.
Yes, there was quite some beer selection,
And as it says:

Rusty's saloon
where you can
drink triples
see double
and act single.

Only, there was no food.
So, after a DBA taster, moved to 'Whiskey Creek'
saloon. Fabulous food, and next to the Mammoth
brewery. Tried the Mammoth 395, the amber and pale ale.
All very good beers.

Fri Apr 12 2013

The scenic route 395 South.

So many historical markers, where the first settlers
tried to pass the mountains. Sonora pass, devils gate
summit, Mormon city....

And the winding route next to the many snow melt rivers

Some small scenic detours, such as "June lake",
Mammoth Lake, ...

Pictures later, this link is to slow now.

And I suppose that I don't have to show pictures
of Mono Lake. Did we not do a guide  canoe trip on
the (very salty) lake a few years ago ?
Same for the ghost town of 'Bodie'.  

Sorry, will miss dinner in the Bay araea.

But have to go now to the best bar in town:
Rusty's Saloon. Will see what 'best' means.

Thur Apr 11 2013

What an amazing day.

Was on the slopes at 9 AM, but so foggy at the Nevada side.
Could hardly see 30 feet. But moved over to the California
side, and with clouds all around the whole morning, the
slopes I selected where all in full sun.

Did 27,502 vertical feet today. Adding up to 278,646 feet
for the 10 days on the mountain this season.

Wed Apr 10 2013
On the road again.

Left the garden, the back yard tree in full blossom,
and the flowering plant at home and started driving.

And having no plans, I did not really know where to go.

Started going east. And when I saw the snow tops in
the far distance, followed that direction, and ended
up in Tahoe. Checked at gun barrel, for the snow conditions,
and some skiers said that the snow on the top
was definitely worth while to go up. So, stay at least
one night and one skiing day.

And yes, we are bear country. Perhaps will see one, one of the these days.