The trip west this year has been intense, heartbreaking and emotional, not to be repeated. Departure day came two days later than planned. Five hours into the drive we got a call from John. Charles, our 18 yr. old grandson in Texas, had died the night before. The next 3+ days were spent enroute to be with family there and to attend his memorial service. To say it has been a rough time for everyone is an understatement.
Now we are at Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge where we will spend the next 4-5 months as volunteer (me) and employee (Vic). The Jeep made the trip safely also and we've been out off-roading a few times already. The above photo is the beginning of our trail for that day, Thanksgiving. High solid clouds - unheard of in this part of the world. Photo #2 - an historic mine in the mountains. Photo #3 is halfway into the 30 mile trip - a 4 ft dry waterfall area. This stood my hair on end as I had to 'spot' for Vic. It looks like I will getting more of this type of experience. What fabulous scenery! This is what it's all about...... Photo #4 is "The Eye of the Needle", a natural formation in Death Valley National Park - near the end of the trail for the day. And photo #5 is a wonderful cave we found on Day #2 in Cottonwood Canyon - also Death Valley NP. These canyons aren't good places to be found on a day that threatens rain. The cave was formed by the flood waters cascading through the canyon. The photo at top is the view from inside the cave looking out.
We've learned of a club, the Jeep Junkies, based out of Pahrump that is holding it's monthly meeting tomorrow night. They have off-road outings almost every weekend. If we join, it will make for a fun way to explore places that it's wise not to go alone. What a fabulous country this is!
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