I spotted this little guy on a branch near where I was photographing the Burrowing Owls. This is another new bird, number 398 on my life list. It is a male and quite common in the Southwest but I never saw one on two previous trips. Over all I was a bit disappointed with the three places I had picked to specifically go in search of new birds, a wildlife refuge near Death Valley was nice but only a very few birds, the Henderson Water Treatment Bird Viewing park, again very nice and lots of birds but mostly very common. Although I did get a nice photograph of a Cinnamon Teal a bird I have seen only once before. Finally the Montezuma Well had an extensive list of birds seen in April but when I was there I saw only four kinds and very few of those. So the search continues for 399 and 400.
Serendipity /
Cindy and I were sitting on some boulders near Zabriskie Point (named for a movie filmed here) at Death Valley waiting for nightfall and the stars to emerge. There were still people going up to the overlook and just on a whim I started photographing the silhouettes. One couple just separated perfectly against the red sky.
“So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27 NLT
Not a Cloud in the Sky /
What appears at first glance to be a cloud pattern is actually salt patterns on the Great Basin of the Death Valley National Park seen from a nearby overlook. 28 degrees cooler at this point than the surface temperature on the flats.
The Trip Post /
Kellen and I left LA after the Beverly Hills Auto Service changed the oil. This was a not as elegant as the name but a well run independent shop where everyone spoke German. They did a nice job on K’s car and we were off, north along the coast. I’m not about to detail the trip - you can still read C2C2C and K has a summary post up. It was an adventure. And it was also a lot about the car, car places and showcasing the car in photos. Once I got on to the idea it was fun, trying to get a great shot of the car. The one I picked for today is Kellen making a hard turn on the Bonneville Salt Flats and that place was amazing.
The absolute best part was the opportunity for me to spend 10 days with my outstanding grandson. I realize that time is precious and that kind of opportunity is not likely to come around again so I treasure each weird meal and miles of conversation or comfortable silence. It was a joy.
The very best thing I can imagine is that my wish for Kellen is that he gets the same kind of opportunity in his lifetime. It is a memory I will not forget. And if any of you get such a choice, do not hesitate, just go.
Regular programing returns tomorrow and next week new camping and Eats!
Just One /
We arrived back in Raleigh to fanfare and food. Had a super nice time at Geof and Laura’s enjoying being home wtih friends, family and no major distances to cover. The last day was excellent and the time at Chincoteague perfect for the Atlantic photo.So why the Chick-a-dee? I am tired and weary and I will get lots of posts up this weekend. Goodnight!
One more from PGH /
What a nice night.
Nostalgia /
Growing up in Pittsburgh in the 50’s and 60’s nearly everyone would recognize Bill Mazeroski rounding second base after the World Series winning homerun. Statue is at PNC Park on the Allegheny River. In Detroit we toured the Ford F150 plant, the Henry Ford and ended the day with four hours of Pittsburgh in the evening.
"Sometimes you feel like a nut..." /
You know you are with a super grandson when he is willing to go 80 miles kinda out of the way to allow me to get park number 292, Effigy Mounds (no coconut) National Monument. The mounds were on the top of a plateau about 400 feet over the Mississippi. We hiked up and were able to view several un-named mounds and two that were roughly in the shape of a bear. As with most of the mounds we have seen it is simply an appreciation of the culture and skill of the builders that is the draw. This park is isolated from any of our planned travels so it was great to pick this one up on the way East. The best part was the great view of the river.
The “Bear”
Path by multiple mounds
Grand Prismatic /
What else can you say?
We traveled about 1200 miles the last two days. Today was with really only one major stop that will be on the dock for tomorrow. Lots planed for Sunday’s travels.
“Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy” Psalm 65:8 NLT
We are still checking -- /
— not too sure what planet we are on here.
Mammoth Springs, Yellowstone National Park.
Yellowstone Astonishes /
In racing it is said that driving a corner at the maximum speed and line possible is going 10/10ths. There have been a very few drivers who exceed what mortals can do, Fanigo, Moss, Clark, Gurney & Schumacher come to mind. Yellowstone is a park that exceeds at whatever it presents. We entered the park and encountered in a mile a bison plodding along as we drove at his speed. He was covered in glittering ice. We viewed mud pots, vents, geysers and hot pools all emitting clouds of steam and, of course, Old Faithful, scheduled to erupt at 12:04 and erupted at 12:04. We only had the late morning but well worth the stop.
And Now for Something Different /
To be right up front, I was much better today, even ate twice, however, at nearly 10 as I write this, the tiredness is creeping in. Actually rushing so again plans are aborted after the singular post. But what a neat day. Kellen and I left Ely, the town where a Wal-Mart is well over 120 miles away, and headed to Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. We arrived about 10 and drove out on the salt. After a few experiments to see what a bit of speed felt like 80mph, we set off to set the Land Speed Record for stock 2003 S-60 Volvo sedan with full compliment of luggage. I was quite content to let Kellen go after the record with a paltry 100/105. The Kellen took off toward the horizon until the speck disappeared in a cloud of salt. He returned past me at speed - note the photo and then after a couple more at 60ish for photos he stopped, excuse me, pitted. His camera on a tripod recorded him at 135 vicinity. The FIA or NASCAR or SCCA or the FBI have not settled the crown on K but, really, what other 2003 stock Volvo has even competed the year, so until notified otherwise, I declare Kellen US LSR holder for 2003 stock S-60 Volvos at the BSF. Five cylinders forever!
Walnut Canyon NM /
This was neat place. You walked down (and up!) a bit over 300 steps from the canyon ridge to what they call the Island Trail. It wraps about a rocky peninsula with 900-1100 year old cliff swellings.
A persona note, I am able to eat a little bit today but incredibly tired. So, done for tonight and hope for a more alert day tomorrow.
Sunset Crater Volcano /
I have posts up only because I was ahead a bit. I had several others planned that I will get to mid-week. Both Cindy and I ate something that made us terribly ill Friday night all day Saturday and for me most of Sunday. Very sick! I was able to leave Monday AM with Kellen but not near 100% yet but way better than Saturday. He will post today’s trip and I will chime in ….tomorrow, I hope. Meanwhile, this park was interesting and the lone tree on the ridge sits in a dark, volcanic ash that is black and crunchy to walk on.
Montezuma Castle /
This was a new park for Cindy but not me as I was here when I was 12. Don’t remember much but I have the 1960’s brochure. This cliff dwelling is five stories tall and you cannot tour inside the ruins since they were closed in 1951.
Sunset Crater Volcano NM Park #288 /
It is appropriate for us to share a sunset photo at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. This shot is over some of the lava fields that in places are hundreds of feet deep, ranging to a few inches in other places. It is a reminder of the power of nature to alter history. The peoples who lived here were very scatter before the eruption and after when there was less arable land the gathered in larger communities.
“He created the horizon when he separated the waters; he set the boundary between day and night. The foundations of heaven tremble; they shudder at his rebuke.” Job 26: 13, 14 NLT
Wupatki National Monument Park #289 (3 photos) /
Wupatki National Monument is about 35 miles northeast of Flagstaff. You drop down out of the 7000+ level a bit into another high plain. You are still over 5000 feet. This is a pueblo built over 900 years ago. You could see in the distance the Painted Desert. The distinction we are learning is that there were pit houses, built on level ground and dug down a few feet, cliff dwellings where the rock formation formed the roof protection and the floor of the dwellings either one or multi-story places and the pueblos are built on top of a mesa or hill and rise up using the rocks as the backs of the structure but rising above the top. This one is a pueblo. It also had a specific built ball court about 100 years down the hill with walls that enclosed the court. They are not sure how the game was played but it clearly was important. Not information on who held the naming rights to the stadium:)
Path to the ball court
Sassy /
We have not seen too many animals on this trip, actually hardly any despite being in several parks for an extended time. In the Vally of Fire State Park (NV) we found a small herd of 7 Big Horn Sheep. This one was not the oldest but he walked up closer to whee I was shooting and then stared at me while chewing a bit of grass he had foraged. We looked at each other for a minute or two and then he went back to paying no attention until the herd scooted away with him the last to leave.
Hiking the Ice Box Canyon /
On Monday morning - early - we drove to Red Rocks Canyon and after a few stops along the way we stopped to hike the Ice Box Canyon. We also stoped and walked at the Calico Hills, White Rock and a couple of overlooks. The goal was a canyon hike and Ice box was great. You start off across the desert for a 1/2 mile or so, slightly up and over a rocky base. There are a few plants but more rocks, then as the trail steepens a bit more small shrubs and trees appear. Some were flowering. We passed some folks who were preparing to climb the rock face. About 1/2 you drop down into the dry creek bed and then it gets really rocky and you have to scramble up and over and around a lot of boulders. By the way it is very dry with no measurable rain or snow for over 240 days. From here to the end you cross larger and larger rocks until the end of the canyon where in more normal times there is a bit of water. The name for the trail come from the slightly cooler temps than the desert. It was not cool as by late morning on our return it was 98 degrees. And windy.
Red Rocks is well named.
Entry to the Ice Box
Along the creek bad
More obstacles
Find the two climbers.
Castle Mountains National Monument #284 /
This is a rare park that we did not actually step foot in the park. We drove several miles on rough roads to get as close as possible but you need serious off-road capacity to actually get to the mountains. I don’t think the little Kona (or the rental agreement) would fare well here. The Castles are on the extreme eastern end of the Mojave Preserve but are a separate park according to the arcane rules of the NPS. We saw no wildlife on the 13 or so miles we drove and lots of desert plants. It is a very inhospitable place.
