December 15-16, 2019 Independence, California

We did some post Fruitcake festival clean up today, then took naps. I took a short hike to the foothills of the Sierras, which are pretty close to camp here. High in the 40's, sunny and windy. We have been off the grid for a few days so I am catching up.

Out walking toward the base of the Sierras this afternoon.  The Inyo mountains across the valley. Late afternoon light in front of the Sierras. 

We left the Sierras behind and went to Death Valley. A view of Mt Whitney from Lone Pine. The view of the road across the desert to Death Valley.  

Welcome to Death Valley. There are Joshua trees on the ridge behind the sign. The bus at Panamint Springs campground. A very nice private campground. Trees are pretty rare in the desert, so this is prime, a site with trees. We did not hook up to their electric hookups because their power is from a generator and unreliable. The top of the bus is covered with solar panels and we have a generator is we need more power. It was 56 degrees and sunny today.

John admiring the view from the campground. The west side of Telescope Peak through a mesquite tree.  

John camouflaged in the shrubberies at the restaurant at Panamint Springs. John loves this place because they have 3 coolers of the best selection of beer in the country.

Evening light on the Panamint mountains over the campground.