December 29-30, 2015 Death Valley Junction, California

We went with the Tecopa Ladies night group on a field trip to The Amargosa Opera House.   John, Laurie and Rod 'womaned up' and joined us.

We started out with hors d'oeuvres at the art gallery at Tecopa Hot Springs resort. There ended up being a large crowd that car pooled to the opera house in Death Valley Junction. A couple of the girls arrived in this wild ride, red leather with working lights.

 

Marta Becket opened the Opera house in 1967 in Death Valley Junction, which is in the middle of nowhere between Death Valley and Las Veges. She renovated it and spent 7 years painting murals of an  audience on the walls. She performed one woman ballet and opera until 2012. She became famous-in the end all of her performances were sold out. People came from all over the world to see her. We have been going to see her in the spring for 20 years.  Jenna McClintoc saw Marta dance when she was 6 years old and was inspired to become a ballerina. She danced in the bay area for 25 years professionally. When she retired she came out to tell Marta how she inspired here and ended up deciding to stay and continue Marta's work. This is her second season performing Marta's dances in her costumes. It is so cool to see the legacy continue. 

Here she is in Marta's costumes performing Marta's show. 

Patrick rolled this pick up (donated by my sister to the Amargosa Conservancy) and was unharmed. A miracle. The view north from  the pass John and I hiked to today.

Me in a cave at the top.

John in the canyon on the way back in late afternoon light.Two different type bushes are blooming.

We had a delicious holiday dinner prepared by Susan Sorrels and Robbie in their lovely home. Judy and Susan in the kitchen. The men sat at the table. Brian, Robbie, Rod, John and Laurie.

The ladies on the couch, Mac, Judy and Susan. Robbie, Mac and Judy in front of the fireplace. 

December 28, 2015 Shoshone, California

Woo hoo, we are back on the desert. John got another part to try in the heater today and it fixed the heat!

The windmill at Delights RV park, hot springs and restaurant in Tecopa. We had lunch here today with Rod and Mac. I took off bush whacking in the canyons behind the house and this is the ridge I climbed up too.

Great late afternoon light on the views. The view toward Tecopa.

Found this cave, looks like it has teeth along the top. More cool light on the Resting Springs mountains

Sunset was one of those 360 all around views. It was lovely.

Above is John and Mac hiking into a canyon full of petroglyphs. Right is John frolicking in the snow

We had lunch at Furnace Creek Inn. Beautiful day in Death Valley.Mac, John and Rod at the table with Fred Harvey overlooking us.

Death Valley Pale Ale and some of the petroglyphs from the canyon. The bottom middle is one that some one tried to chip out and the last one is fake. . .

Fantastic clouds and sunset on my afternoon stroll behind the house.

cactus, interesting rocks from my hike. I found this lone desert gold blooming. It is confused, it is too early.

December 23-26, 2015 Palo Alto, California

We are still in Palo Alto visiting my sisters family for Christmas. We hiked in Foothills park in Palo Alto today. Gorgeous day.

    Blue sky and some redwoods.

    John and Judy hiking ahead.

                                                   Oaks and the lake at the park.

John and I on the bridge and deer on the horizon.

Toyon  berries and madrone leaves.

Jill handing out our presents and Laurie with his.

      Judy and John with their treasures. A view of San Luis reservoir on our way back to Shoshone.

Snow on Tehachapi Pass. Bumper to bumper traffic from Barstow to Baker, LA going to Vegas for the weekend. We did not expect this,slowed us about an hour on the already long drive, took su 9 1/2 hours, in the car, not the bus.