Sunday, March 24, 2024

March 22-24, 2024 Shoshone, California

 High of 71, mostly cloudy and very windy with gust to 50 mph.



Bec and Emmett have arrived. We had happy hour on the patio tonight. It was very windy and chilly. We have a full house, or street. Here is Judy's house, with her camper out back , our car and bus in the front, Bec and Em's Sports mobile behind us, and Judy D car. On the side of Judy's house is her Tesla and there are two other occupied houses.



Sunset with the waxing gibbous moon. Waxing gibbous moon in the sunset. 


 
Odd little sunset cloud to the south west. The new fused glass sign at the general store is so beautiful. 



Judy D invited us to a painting workshop today. So much fun. Jill and Judy painting. Amy painting dunes.



Donna, her sister, Judy D and Shea making masterpieces. My best attempt was a field of desert gold.



My second, mediocre attempt of a sunset cloud did not come out as well.  Judy D our host and instructor, with Jill. Thanks you Judy!



Shea painting with a palette knife. Bec perfecting her masterpiece.



The class with our art work. Rain looking clouds this afternoon. 



We went to Tecopa to view the photo exhibit, take a short hike and to soak in the hot springs.  We hiked at Grimshaw Lake natural area and important bird area. Salt encrusted grass, desert chicory, cactus bursting with buds and desert gold, chicory and desert gold bloom. Tecopa peak over Tecopa lake.   



Desert gold along the trail.



The trail is on the old railroad bed. Desert gold and Tecopa peak. 



Desert gold and sunset. 






Thursday, March 21, 2024

March 21, 2024 Death Valley, California

 88 and sunny.



Lake Manly still has water in it. Last week the high winds blew the lake 2 miles north. It spread out and a lot evaporated. Then in came back to it's original spot. Reflections of the Panamint mountains in Lake Manly.



We hiked Willow Canyon today. The first half of the hike was a long hot slog up a wash. Flowers and a chuckwalla seen today. 



The first course lunch in the cool shade. Phil taking one big step to get over this waterfall.



There was water the rest of the way up the canyon. John and Phil waiting for me on top of this rock fall. 



The hike ended at this 40 foot waterfall. John is approaching it. Allison and I soaking our feet in the water. You can see my foot in the bottom of the photo. Very refreshing.



Joe with his feet in the water. Following the water on the way back of the canyon.



Reflected sunlight from the upper canyon walls. The water runs down this narrow passage into a big pool. 



Grass in Death Valley?? Be sure and fuel up before coming down here, diesel is $7.75, evening primrose, pygmy poppy. Read the phone number on the side of the Kubota, colorful rocks, a white rock inlaid with shiny black rocks and plants growing out of a crack in the canyon wall. 



The side of the wash on the way back. John cooked us a wonderful steak dinner. Phil and Mattie's rig in front and Joe and Allison's in the back. Those guys travel in style.


Sunset was short and pastel. 






Wednesday, March 20, 2024

March 20, 2024 Death Valley, California

 88 and sunny.



We took our friends for a hike in  Goblin's workshop, which is an area of really bizarre salt formations. There are a number of springs in this area, so water runs down the canyon. Phil and Joe checking out the spring water. Hiking up canyon.



Cool rock formation. John went into this rock pile to see if there was a way through it. There wasn't so he came back out. 



Climbing around the rock pile. A mesquite with spring green leaves.



Mattie checking out a dead palm tree at the spring. Narrow canyon with wild salt formations.



Water running over the layered bedrock with salt deposits on both sides. Phil, Joe,  Mattie and Allison in Goblins Workshop.



Climbing down a small fall. John down canyon in Goblins Workshop. 



Lunch break. A waterfall we had to hike around. 



White salt, snow on Telescope peak and white clouds. Amazing salt formations. 



Another small waterfall. The water is about hiking boot width. Like walking a tightrope.



Holey salt formations. The heat just reflected back at us in the salt canyons, and no breeze. We were so hot we headed to the pool at Furnace Creek Ranch after hiking. 



The garden at Furnace Creek Inn. We had cocktails at the Inn. The view was lovely.



Last light. Sunset.