Death Valley vs. Winnie

Watchman Campground, Zion National Park

The sun peaked over the mountain range at 5:30 and shone brightly down on Winnie. We were up at 5:31. That Death Valley sun, no matter the time, is just scorching hot.

 

 

 

We had a leisurely breakfast then headed up to the pool at Furnace Creek Resort at 7:30. It's a warm spring water fed pool. The water felt really soft and so luxurious. We got in a mile swim then just goofed off playing around in the water. Here's Linda looking like a movie star in her sun-glasses, Ned looking cooled off, and me looking like a drowned rat.

Feeling quite refreshed we ventured up to Zabriskie Point to get another perspective on Death Valley. The juxtaposition of the sand formations next to the valley were stunning.

 

 

 

Here's a pic of Ned and I at Zabriskie Point.

(Note, we are looking quite refreshed).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a 4.5 hour drive to Zion National Park. We decided to mix things up and have the girls drive in Winnie and the boys in "Cruise America.". Linda's famous last words as she hopped in were, "I'll go with you as long as you have air conditioning," which we thought was hilarious at the time. Well, a short time later, Winnie's air conditioning went out...kaput, zilch, nada. We didn't have cell service so while the boys motored along in comfort we were sweltering in 105 degree weather. At one point the car was hotter inside than out. Oy.

 

We finally connected with the guys and told them of our troubles. Ned was smart enough to call ahead to a dealer in St. George, Utah. The dealer was able to fit us in at the end of the day. Yep...Winnie needs a new compressor. Soonest it can be delivered is on Saturday. Luckily, we are staying in Zion until Saturday so we can make this work.

Back on the road in time to enter Zion as the sun was setting.

 

 

 

We decided to make dinner a collection of our finest leftovers. It was delicious! Must have been the wine...and company.

 

We were hoping to catch the bus up to the lodge, but we missed the bus. Oh well, it was great to do a walk-about, stock up on some provisions, and polish off an ice cream container or two:)

Love our camping spots for the night.

As I write this blog late at night, I'm appreciating the sound of the Virgin River nearby and especially the cool breeze.

Looking forward to exploring Zion tomorrow with Gary and Linda.

 

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Into the Furnace

Furnace Creek Campground, Death Valley National Park

Loved waking up this morning, taking an early morning run, and then jumping in the hot tub at our campsite. If you look into the distance you can get a glimpse of Gary and Ned soaking in the early morning.

 

 

Gary and Linda also had a hot tub at their campsite. Here's Gary soaking away...after soaking with us. I think Gary likes these hot springs.

I loved the quaintness of Benton Hot Springs.

 

 

 

Our first stop of the day was Bishop, at Schat's Bakery. Didn't buy anything, but I did my fair share of sampling.

In Lone Pine, we decided to visit the Museum of Film History. Hundreds of movies have been filmed in Lone Pine. Everything from Westerns to Space and Alien Movies. We had a blast watching the movie and touring the exhibits.

 

 

 

Here's Linda singing along with the Gene Autrey.

 

 

Death Valley was our next destination. Poor Winnie overheated going up one of the grades, but we used the opportunity to have an imprompu late lunch, picnic style, on the side of the road. After a half an hour, all was good and we tootled-along once again.

 

 

 

We've been to Death Valley on several trips, but its beauty never ceases to amaze me.

 

 

 

 

 

We finally made it to the Furnace Creek Visitor's Center and Campground. It was 104 degrees!

Death Valley is the hottest spot in North America and has kept the world record of 134 degrees. It's also the driest and lowest place in North America.

 

We're camped at Furnace Creek Campground.

 

 

 

It's hot, but nothing a little cold beer can't cure.

Ned's grilled up chicken for dinner along with corn on the cob and salad.

 

After dinner it hit a balmy 95, so we decided to do a bike ride to the Borax Works.

We poked around the Borax Works for awhile enjoying the evening sun turning the mountains brilliant shades of orange.

 

 

One of the cool things about camping at Furnace Creek in Death Valley is that for $5 you can swim in the resort pool and take advantage of the showers! Wahoo. At 8:30 we headed to the pool and swam until around 10. It felt amazing! By the time we left the temperature was down to about 88. We hung our bathing suits on our bike handles. Bet you by the time we wake up tomorrow morning there are going to be bone dry. Ha! What an awesome day with Gary and Linda.

 

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Experiencing the Eastern Sierras

Benton Hot Springs, CA

The Eastern Sierras were in top form today. We didn't take for granted the spectacular weather with the snowy mountain tops against the blue skies. This is one of my favorite photos of our drive over Monitor Pass and down highway 395.

 

 

We stopped in Bridgeport for a picnic lunch. The highlight was watching about 100 school kids playing jump rope and other assorted organized games. Made me want to jump in.

Love this view of Mono Lake from the vista point. It was so still and the lake was like a mirror.

 

 

Ned and I did the boardwalk around the northern shore of Mono Lake. Loved seeing the tufas. We even heard the underground springs gurgling underneath one of the tufa formations.

Another view of the boardwalk on the North Side of Mono Lake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Linda and Gary met up with us at Lee Vining. It was So fun to see their rig coming up the hill and knowing we have two weeks of adventures together.

We had a scrumptious meal at Whoa Nelli Deli, yes a gourmet restaurant in a gas station. Draft beers on tap, wild buffalo meatloaf for the boys and fish tacos and Asian salad for Linda and me. Yum!

 

 

 

 

We decided to take a early evening hike around the southern area of Mono Lake. You can really get close to the water's edge and walk through huge tufa formations.

 

 

It was so fun to experience the light this time of the day.

 

 

 

Here's Linda and I, along the hike - "tu-fa the price of one." yuk, yuk.

As we drove into the dessert and over another mountain pass the light was amazing! Loved the cloud formations.

 

 

 

 

 

Our campsite tonight is at Benton Hot Springs. Every campsite, there are only ten of them, has its own hot tub! They each have spectacular views of the dessert. Gonna sign off now so we can spend the evening soaking in the tub with some adult libations.

 

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And We're Off...

Location: Grover Hot Springs, Markleeville, CA

Our typical pattern is to begin our road trips in a zen fashion - heading into the deserts of Nevada or down the Eastern Sierras enjoying the tranquility of the remote landscape. Not this year! It has been a whirlwind couple of days filled with celebrations, family get togethers and lots of adult libations.

Saturday started off with celebrating my sister-in-law, Linda's, 60th Birthday! What a great time. I visited with a lot of people that I haven't seen in over 30 years. I really enjoyed re-connecting with Derek and Beth. Derek took me on my private plane ride and even let me co-pilot. It was one of the highlights of my life. Derek said he still remembers that I was his most enthusiastic passenger. Imagine that!

 

 

Here's Josh and Marlina being held hostage by some old guy showing photos on his cell phone. It was great fun to meet Marlina and embarrass Josh with stories about him as a kid. Thanks Marlina (and Josh) for being good sports.

The highlight of the evening was Linda getting a surprise ride on a fire truck that was specially ordered to carry the birthday girl.

 

 

The food was pretty awesome too! Loved the big bowls of freshly roasted veggies, and because it's Linda, bowls and bowls of chocolate goodies were everywhere. There was also yummy chocolate ice cream out of their own soft-serve machine.

We partied until the wee hours of the morning and spent the night in Winnie in their driveway. Mother's Day morning we were honored with a big brunch...because it was so long since I ate...

Next on the agenda was driving to San Francisco to meet Molly's boyfriend's parents from Sicily. We had a great time getting to know them, despite the language barrier. Ned's and my Italian was about equal to their English. Thank heavens for hand gestures and Molly and Angelo translating. Josh and Marlina joined us for a spectacular Italian feast.

Pistachio pasta, cheeses, salami, olives, good vino and limoncello shots. Oh and let's not forget the pastries that just kept on coming. d

Day two and I've already eaten more than I usually do in a week. Good start to a vacation!

 

 

 

 

 

We spent the night at Megan's house and enjoyed playing with her new puppy, Lucy.

We were woken up to coffee in bed along with Lucy jumping in with us. Such joy, and energy, in the morning! Kevin fixed breakfast. Thanks Kev!

 

 

 

 

 

I'm going to miss the walks with Megan and Lucy, but alas the road calls.

We trekked back into the Sierras making Grover Hot Springs our destination for the evening. We're camped near a stunning Alpine meadow.

 

 

Here's Ned thoroughly enjoying a good long soak in the warm afternoon. Who would have guessed it was in the high 70's. A mere 48 hrs. ago it was snowing here.

We spent a leisurely afternoon going back and forth between the 104 degree pool and the "cool" 82 degree pool. It felt so good to swim some laps and stretch out.

Our first official campsite of the 8 week trip. Yeah!! Grilled veggies and wine for dinner.

Looking forward to connecting with Linda and Gary tomorrow for the beginning of a two week jaunt with them thru the National Parks of the West.

Thanks everyone for joining us on another one of our adventures. So fun to have my family and friends along.

 

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