l’ll leave the race report still on hold… leaving
Las Vegas on Tuesday around midday by car we (Lu, Jaime and I) almost swam
away, an enormous cloud had decided to open her doors above us and converted
the streets in rivers and lakes.
Destination Death Valley, the hottest, driest
and lowest location in the US, during the drive we experienced temperature
changes of 17ºC, warm and rainy in Vegas, fresh on the way to death valley and
then rising up to 34ºC driving down to the narrower points of the Valley. The
narrow basin of Death Valley is 282 feet below sea level, aprox. 100m… We know
the name Death Valley because of Wild West movies, but I haven’t really had an
idea about it. There are definitely too many places in this world to read and
learn about.
And my memory is special. I was here in
California/Nevada/Utah 21years ago with my parents and brother, driving from
San Francisco down to San Diego, then National Parks, Las Vegas and more
National Parks. I remember some of them, especially some photos of this 3 week
travel. I don’t remember if we have been in Death Valley, what I know: the
nature, colors and size are breathtaking. Unfortunately we don’t have a lot of
time to stay and explore everything. Zabriskie Point was in my eyes the most
amazing spot we could see, the sun dropping already…
lunch in Beatty
Death Valley, Zabriskie Point
Some sand dunes and a coffee in Badwater saloon
and heading out of the park, climbing up again observing some huge thunderstorm
on the other side of the hills, as I said: everything is big here, even the
lightning’s ;) Or maybe its just the free view we had and the extremely dark
night that you’ll never have in Europe because there is too much light. We had
a chance to look at the stairy sky for a while when we were stopped by the
sherrif because of a overflowed road caused by some heavy rain that came with
the thunderstorm we had seen during the drive.
End of the day in Lone Pine a small wild
western style village, American Diners place for dinner and night in Dow Villa
Motel to wake up the next morning and have a stunning view to Mr. Whitney,
arriving at night we had no idea about the place…
Buttermilk pancakes and watered coffee for
breakfast, a quick car ride towards Whithey and the funny rocks before, the way
took us to Yosemite National Park, stopping at Mamooth Lakes for a good coffee,
climbing up to the National park. On the park entrance I actually remembered
the last time I’ve been here, or the photo. The nature of this place is
indescribable. I have been here before and remember some things. I remember El
Capitan, 910m of vertical rock, the water falls (if they were here, but we had
been to some kind of waterfalls), well and some shorts and sweatshirts with
“Yosemite” on them. I remember what I was wearing this day. But I don’t
remember the Indian’s village, nor the half dome another impressive rock..
.
Half Dome
Gran Capitan
indian's hut
Taking renewed impressions with me, we headed
out of Yosemite in the evening, had some sushi that seemed to be made by some 4
year old Japanese kid trying ;) and went further on the next morning to Sequoia
Tree National park, where the oldest trees on earth are to find. In a small
area, the big forest you can spot these auburn trees that reach an altitude up
to 80m. The biggest is the General Sherman Tree, almost 85m high and a diameter
of 11m on its base and 8,25m at 1,3m of altitude... even standing there we
cannot capture the real size of this plant and even less the fact that some of
them are almost 3000 years old. Possessing a thick bark that protects them from
fire, they are an impressive example of survival modes and stunning nature’s
beauty.
The Giant Sherman Tree
some random sequoia..
partially burned
With these big experiences in our minds the way
took us back to see level, out of high mountain scenery, back to the big city
and civilization, Los Angeles. Staying in Venice this time, hanging out with my
Aussie family Amanda and Luke with beach, BBQ, some souvenir shopping, a last
bike ride and a bus tour through Hollywood and Beverly Hills it was the perfect
finish to 16 days which again made me think about places to live or way of
lives to impart…
I have my stamp for this year in my passport.
Time to think about next year, hopefully America again… or another unknown
destination… life is what happens when you’re planning other things for it…
