When in Vegas, Go to Death Valley (NP)!

The drive to Las Vegas was rather uneventful but in reality, very peaceful. There were many times I was the only one on the highway - exactly why I like to travel at this time of year. Unfortunately , due to the fires in New Mexico and Arizona, the sky was pretty hazy - not great for landscape shots.

Along the way, I stopped in Four Corners Monument to stand in all four states at the same time. Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah all come together.

The monument is out in the middle of nowhere on the Navajo Reservation. After hitting 4 corners, I passed through Page, Arizona - getting a first-hand look at the devastation the drought is creating in the west.

Lake Powell is but a shadow of its former self. It is very worrisome to see how low the water levels are in the lake. In the distance, the white line, caused by the former water level bleaching the rock, is hundreds of feet above the current water level. This entire valley used to be filled with water! Now the boat docks are surrounded by land! A stark reminder as to why we need to conserve water and reduce carbon levels in the atmosphere. One of the many reasons I drive a hybrid!

Once I made it to Vegas (10 hours on the road,) I relaxed. The next day I was up early and driving a very lonely highway to Death Valley National Park. Very interesting place and I made sure to see as much as possible. The colorful rocks, the lowest, hottest and driest place in the US (Bad Water Basin where at the time it was 97˚, not very hot by Death Valley standards,) and the variety of landscapes - from sand dunes to rocky outcrops to salt flats - made it a very interesting place to explore. In Bad Water Basin, you could dig into the sand and hit saltwater. Much like we used to do at Lake Erie when we were kids. (only not salt water! :) )

Early Monday morning (the 23rd of May) I hit the road for Oceanside, California with a side trip along the way to Joshua Tree National Park. The road was a lot of fun to drive in that it was a continuous roller coaster and like the drive to Vegas, fairly empty. A beautiful drive with interesting and varied desert landscapes. The Mojave National Preserve is huge and offers a great introduction to the Mojave Desert.

This was the 2nd time in a few year I had been to Joshua Tree but I still found it very interesting and looked for new things to see. The trees themselves look like something out of a Dr. Seuss book! As I edit them, I will eventually upload some photos I took of the huge rocks and Joshua Trees that make this park so unique.

While there I took photos of some birds and a Chuckwalla lizard that was very patient with me as I inched closer to get a shot.

I also visited Keys View, A high point in the center of Joshua Tree NP that looks over the Coachella Valley, the home of Palm Springs and a vast agricultural hub.

As the temperature rose into the high 80's I decided a long hike was not in the works so decided to hit the road and head to Oceanside, California in time for a good meal and some rest. My next adventure - the San Diego Zoo!

On The Road Again! (Thanks Willy!)

This year's journey will include every National Park in California and a few coming and going! In all, I hope to drive over 10,000 miles through the West. Fortunately, since I drive a hybrid that averages 40 mpg, the fuel prices that have skyrocketed lately shouldn't hurt too bad.

I began my trip with a quick 2-day visit with my friend Stacy Rae (we shot a number of cooking videos featuring recipes from her new book!)

I then hit the road to Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Unfortunately, there was is a wildfire burning just north of there so the mountains you can usually see disappear occasionally. The first day I spent roaming Mesa Verde National Park. Very interesting! Again, wildfires in New Mexico made for very hazy landscape shots and I discovered one of my telephoto lenses which I had been shooting has a major focus problem so from here on out I will be toting around my big Canon telephoto. Should get awesome images but it is why I do not have many here.

The second day I accidently went on a 6 mile hike! I meant to take one trail that was 2.6 miles round trip and instead began the Piedra River Trail and once I realized I had really been gone awhile, I stuck with it until I hit the 3 mile mark and turned around. Beautiful country! Saw a Smooth Green Snake (almost stepped on the poor guy!) and a small Northern Water Snake. I also saw a number of bird, some of which I gor photos including a Steller's Jay (who wouldn't stand still!), Yellow Rumped Warbler (who also would not cooperate and a house Wren who posed for me.

I also got a great shot of a flycatcher only to discover the focus problem with my lens. And of course many wildflowers - kost of which turned out to be out of focus because of the lens problem. I did get a shot of a hummingbird moth! Overall a nice but longer than anticipated hike! Tomorrow Vegas! And as they say "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!" (although since I am more of a outdoor guy, I will probably hit Death Valley National Park!)

While this travel blogs will not go into the depths that my sister Deb's do (She does a phenomenal job educating you all on everywhere she goes,) I hope you enjoy my 10,000 mile trek.

Until next time!