The Grumpy Old Scientist Heads West - Then East

Instead of heading back to school to fight the Forces of Darkness this year, the Grumpy Old Scientist used a family wedding as an excuse to Go West with his Patient Wife.   On our first full day in California, I watched the Sun rise on the edge of the Pacific Ocean.

Oxnard, CA

Brown Pelicans over the Pacific

Whimbrel

The day after the wedding, we headed north and east, driving through the Mojave Desert.  We crossed the mountains into the Panamint Valley over narrow switchbacks, driving with white knuckles. 

Then we entered Death Valley.  Returned at last, after 41 years.   It is still the most beautiful place in the world, although the silence and solitude have been lost.  The park was full of visitors from all nations.  Apparently people in Europe think that Death Valley in summer is a challenge.  I have to admit, it was warm.

This was taken at 6:00 PM

So was this

There is a small area of sand dunes
near Stovepipe Wells

We wandered around the valley all afternoon, then after dark we walked out onto the dunes to watch the stars.  A line of thunder storms over the eastern mountain range lit up the night sky.

Zabriskie Point at Sunrise

On our first full day in Death Valley we got up in the dark (only 101 ºF) and watched the Sun rise from Zabriskie Point.  It rained (half a dozen drops).

Sunrise in Death Valley

We saw a lot of sunrises on this trip.

From Zabriskie Point we went to the lowest point in the country, Bad Water.  The ground there was covered with a salty crust.  There is water there, only a few inches below the surface.

We climbed Golden Canyon.

The Patient Wife climbs Golden Canyon

We drove up to Dantes View, a mile above sea level and looked out over the valley.  Another white-knuckle road.

Artists Drive is a twisty road through some of the most amazing geology I have ever seen.  After driving along this canyon I was ruined for much of what I've seen since.

Artist's Drive

After dark, we spent part of our last night in Death Valley several miles down a deserted road, watching shooting stars.  Then, up before the Sun and off to further adventures.  

We had planned out our trip before leaving, but we had decided to talk to the people we met and change plans as we went.  A park ranger suggested that our next stop should be in Nevada, a place called Ash Meadows.  She was right.