Heading up the Sierra Nevada Mountians, Lone Pine to Mammoth Lakes - The Onion Valley and Other Sites

After the intense heat my drive North along the East side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains was a welcome change. As the altitude rose, the temperatures dropped accordingly. When I drove up the Onion Valley from Lone Pine, CA, the temperature dropped from 78 degrees to 58 degrees. Of course I was at 10,000 ft. Each time I jumped out to take a photo, I thought I was going to pass out from the lack of oxygen in the air.

This area was a big change from the desert with the streams full of cool clear water rushing down from the snow packed peaks. The views were stunning, absolutely stunning. I drove until I got to Mammoth Lakes and found a motel.

One point of interest, when I passed through Bishop California, I drove by Galen Rowell's gallery. If you don't know who he is, then you are missing one of the great nature photographers of our time. Sadly he and his wife passed away in a plane crash. A great loss for us all.

Route 66 and the Mojave Desert. Randsburg - Living Memories of the Past?

When the sun came up in Ludlow it was still 90 degrees. The little oasis of Ludlow had a nice little restaurant and after breakfast I headed out along the old section of Route 66 toward the entrance to the Mojave Desert. I took a chance and headed south before turning North off highway 40 and searched for Amboy. Why not? It was on the map? Well, I found it and I wasn't disappointed. East Amboy used to exist. But now all that is left is a sign and part of the old building for the Roadrunner Restaurant. I headed East and sampled some more of the "Lonely Highway."

When I finally reached hwy 40 again, I headed north into Mojave. As I drove along the temp headed higher and higher. It was hitting 100 when I was in the valley of Amboy. As I reached the sand dunes in the Mojave, it was reaching 105.

At the dunes in the Mojave, I found a little oasis with a couple small trees, see photo, and watched the roadrunners dart around. The shade was a welcome relief. By the time I stopped in Baker, California, the temp hit 110 degrees. Then, I headed North again and looped through winding mountain roads and found Randsburg, an old mining town that is listed as a Ghost Town. When in reality, it is a living Mining Ghost Town.

In Randsburg I toured the sites and stopped at Bob's Emporium and sat and talked to Bob and had a beer as the sun went down. Up on the mountain the temp dropped to 72 degrees with a nice cool breeze. We talked until it got dark and I headed into the night searching for a motel.

Touring old Route 66, The Disappearing Memories of the Past

After a day of rest and re-packing the van, I headed back East to find Route 66. On my last trip in 2004 out West, I kept seeing all these old abandoned gas stations, restaurants and rest-stops along highway 15 heading into LA. I couldn't stop then and made a note to investigate them on the next trip. After some research I discovered that where Hwy 15 and Hwy 40 merge in Southern California there would probably be the nighest density of these old relics. Boy, was I right.

Well, I was a kid in a candy store and made a huge loop back and forth across the freeways investigating locations until it got dark. Then, reality set in and I realized I might have to drive 100 miles out of my way just to get a motel. I took a chance and headed to Ludlow. My prayers were answered and there was the Ludlow Motel sign beckoning me in the dark. The only motel out there within a 75 mile radius. It was classic 60's decor. But hey, it was a bed and the shower worked. An interesting point was that because the water is stored in tanks raised off the ground, you had hot and hotter water in your room. The temp for the day was in the low 100's. So, no cold water for you!

Cruising the Pacific Coast Highway, visiting Sherman's Botanical Gardens and Mission San Luis Rey de Francia

Today I took the whole day and cruised down toward San Diego on the Pacific Coast Highway. It was quite a journey. The road in many spots was so narrow I wondered if I was going to become a statistic. I stopped in Santa Anna at Sherman's Botanical Gardens. It was an experience and I recommend it if you get in the area.

Then, I cruised along the coast and enjoyed the cool temps. It was in the 90's inland but in the 70's along the coast. The views were amazing. It is a place that you need 2 or 3 days to explore at least. Take lots of dough. Parking and anything you need there is expensive.

I got to Mission San Luis Rey de Francia late and it wasn't open. But, just walking around the outside was worth it.

Need I even say what the drive was like heading back to Tustin... at rush hour!

Touring Southern California, Mission San Juan Capistrano

With all the old Spanish Missions in California I thought I should visit a few. I was very lucky to get into the San Juan Capistrano Mission because the traffic was crazy and got there with just an hour to shoot. It was supposed to take an hour to get there, but it actually took 3. It worked out fine because it was late in the day and the light was much better than if I would have been there in the middle of the day.

Resting in Tustin

It has been a few days since I have had time to post something. After 16 days on the road, I stopped in Tustin for a couple days and helped my friend Jeff with some projects. The shoot in Marina Del Rey went fine. Sorry, can't show you what I worked on, maybe later I can.

I started shooting some macro shots and things in Jeff's yard.

With my planned projects out of the way, I'll be driving around Southern Cal and see what I can find?

Sedona, Cottonwood and Jerome, Arizona - Tuzigoot Ruins in the Verde Valley

Well, I finally get to add the next installment of my travels. My Motel 6 had a poor internet connection. Go figure?

I left Flagstaff and headed south toward Sedona, then I headed through Oak Creek Canyon. I had high hopes of shooting some of the impressive Red Rocks along the way. Highway 89 runs through the canyon and since it was a Sunday, and a beautiful sunny day, I couldn't find a place to pull off and park. Everyone from the area was hanging out along the river. I managed to get a few shots. Grasshopper Point was on the list but the park was full. I hate when that happens.

I just kept rolling along Hwy 89 and arrived in Cottonwood. This city has the new side of town and the Old Town District. Many of the Old Town buildings there date back to the late 1800's. While there I visited the Tuzigoot Ruins that were inhabited by the Sinagua Indians. They were related to the Anasazi tribes. If you ever get to this area a stop to the ruins is worth the trip. It is only a mile out of Cottonwood.

After leaving Cottonwood I headed to Jerome. This town is on top of a mountain. It was founded by a local famous copper Baron. They used deep mining systems and Jerome has a museum that is very informative. I passed on that and picked up all the literature. A little too touristy for me. Instead I spent an hour or 2 walking around the hilly winding streets of Jerome.

After leaving Jerome I headed on a journey that I wasn't prepared for. Hwy 89 heading to the West had some of the most incredible winding switchback roads I had encountered on the trip. It took me almost 5 hours to go 100 miles. On top of that I had to wait an hour because a semi truck dropped its trailer over the edge of a cliff on one of the switchback corners. He wasn't supposed to be on that road, and we had to wait until they brought in 2 huge wreckers to move it enough for one lane to pass. Boy, am I glad I wasn't getting that trucker's ticket! I was very thankful we didn't have to wait until they cleared the road. From what it looked like, we would have been there all night. If you go to Jerome, double back the way you came unless you really want to drive 89 to the West. Don't drink any spirits or you may meet the Spirits. If you even blink you could go off into the abyss. That stretch of road isn't forgiving at all. Hear me now, believe me later!

Once I got passed the mountain roads I encountered more of the "Lonely Highway" syndrome. Out on this part of the highway you have to be very careful because you will encounter cattle, horses or sheep eating on the side of the road at any time. By 9:30 pm I arrived at the California line. I decided to drive into the night until I reached Tustin, where I was going to stay for a few days. As I dropped down into the LA valley basin, the lights of the cities stretched for miles. I wish I could have stopped to get a photo but, there wasn't any place to stop. Once I got on Interstate 10 the speed of all the vehicles jumped up to no less then 80 mph. And, there were cars passing me like I was standing still. The closer I got to the metropolitan areas, the crazier the drivers were. If you miss an exit because you are in the wrong lane, God bless you Mo' Fo'. One thing that worked in my favor? At the speeds we were moving I arrived at my destination by 12:30 am.

I will be busy on a few projects so you won't hear from me for a few days. But, I'll be back!

On the Road to Flagstaff, Arizona from Canyon de Chelly

After 2 days in Canyon de Chelly I headed to Flagstaff, Arizona. Highway 264 West out of Ganado, NM was more of my recurrent theme. A repeat of the "Desolate Highway!" It is a mystery to me how some of these folks out there survive? The weather was sunny and 84 degrees.

The highlight of the day happened late when I arrived at the Wupatki National Monument. The photos you see here are of the Lomaki pueblo ruins of the Sinagua and Anasazi cultures. These pueblo ruins are similar to the ones in Canyon de Chelly. But, instead of being built in the sides of the mountains, they were built in the Box Canyons of the Mountain Plateau Prairies of Arizona.

Canyon de Chelly in Arizona

Wow, if you want an experience that is not only scenic but very moving, go to Canyon de Chelly in Arizona. Take some dough though, it isn't cheap there. The hotels are $130 minimum for a single. All of them are owned by the Navajo Nation. Make reservations if it is the busy season too. The camping park is minimal. If you are in a RV that would be the better solution then with a tent only. Take lots of water... Did you hear me? I repeat, Take Lots Of Water!

The best way to see the ruins up close is with the tours. Again, call ahead and reserve your date and time if it is the busy season. You can take a group tour for just under $50 each. Or, the personal Jeep tour is $150. If you have enough people to share the cost that is even better. If you want to take professional photos, make sure to ask in advance if you are able to get out of the vehicle to shoot photos, and if there is a "Photo Fee?"
Oh yea, make sure you take the 9 am tour. Especially if it is summer and the HOT season. You will thank me for that tip. Hear me now, believe me later! The Whitehouse ruin is the only one that you can hike to without a guide. But, it is a 2 hour hike. And if the high altitude is causing you distress, then I wouldn't go. The walk back up is brutal.

When you drive to all the overlook sites which I did, plan the whole day. And don't believe the park rangers when they say to take the North Rim drive in the morning. The South Rim drive is better earlier in the day.

Enjoy and I'll see you later.... On to Flagstaff, Arizona and the Wupatki National Park to see more ancient ruins!

Day 13 and Santa Fe to Canyon de Chelly in Arizona

When I left Santa Fe I back-tracked to the East and South back down to Villanueva and then headed straight South to Hwy 40 West. The drive to Villanueva was very nice. I saw some very old and unique sights. I came around a corner while running along the Pecos River and I found the huge Champion tree you see in one of the photos here.

As I drove South the wind increased and when I hit Hwy 40 it became intense. At times I couldn't drive over 50 mph or the crosswinds would walk me right off the road. Several times the dust storms caused such a dim view I had to drive 25 mph. When I turned North after crossing into Arizona the road became very, very desolate. Then, when I arrived in Ganado and needed gas... none of the stations had any? I continued North and arrived in Chinle running on vapors. Whew! That was close.

Tomorrow will be touring Canyon de Chelly.

Driving Around Santa Fe and the Mora River Valley.

Santa Fe was interesting. But, some of the downtown seemed more commercial touriste' like Taos. Taos didn't do much for me. If I had a ton of money to spend, then yes, I could have had some fun. Instead of wandering Santa Fe City proper, which had no parking, I hit the back roads. I got some tips from my friends there and headed back North and then East and made a loop through the Mora River Valley and then down south of Hwy 25 to Villanueva. At times I thought I was stepping back in time. When I got back on 25 heading to Santa Fe for the night, the wind and haze was nuts. When you mix the dust with the smoke of the forest fires west of us, which you could smell, it made the visibility pretty bad. From what I saw around Villanueva I will probably head back through there on the way out of Santa Fe.