Last Day in Monterey

While it was still pretty chilly, at least for me, we spent a few minutes on the beach before we headed to the airport and back home.

17-Mile Drive - III

There are many wondrous things to see along the shore of California. Here we found an isolated beach with California Seals out for a sunbathe.

Along the 17-Mile Drive

We took Seamus on a ride along the famous 17-mile Drive just south of Monterey. It was a beautiful sunny day with enough wind to make the sea a little interesting.

17-Mile Drive - II

Once in a while we find ourselves driven by forces out of our control. Sometimes we twist in the prevailing wind and feel lost. Other times, we do what this tree has done...bend with the wind and choose new directions for growth.

Monterey Bay Aquarium - II

Aquaria these days always have at least one tank (sometimes many) of jellyfish. These are lit in such a way to provide a strong contrast between the animals and the background.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

In April this year, we took Seamus to the Monterey Bay Aquarium during his spring break. There are still some old buildings preserved along cannery row.

Mt. Shasta and Important News about the Blog

We stopped for food and gas in Redding on our way north out of California toward home. We've have now passed from desert wasteland to snow covered peaks as Mt. Shasta looms in the background.

The Last of Our Time in Southern California

Windswept and largely barren. This is not a place to stop and rest after cross Death Valley.

Leaving Death Valley

 Driving west from Death Valley, we cross over/around the Panament mountains and down into another valley similar to, but less spectacular than, Death Valley.

Badwater Basin - II

It is clear why this place got the name of badwater since it is it is filled with only salty water. This view across the valley is a good reminder of what those in the gold rush saw as they tried to cross into the California gold fields this way. Just imagine how awful it would be to try to walk across this without water.

Badwater Basin

Into Badwater Basin we head next. This is the location of the much advertised lowest point in North America.

Dante's View

As the sun moved up in the sky, we headed for Dante's peak to catch the panorama from there.

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes at Sunrise - V

As the run breaches the horizon and crests the hills to the east, the tops of the local hills are lit and the mood on the sand begins to change.

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes at Sunrise - IV

Think of it as environmental portraiture. There are actually a couple people in most of today's photos. Once you find them, you can't not see them.

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes at Sunrise - III

That this vast expanse of sand has any plants in it is remarkable. Yet, life finds a what. Clearly, the little rain that falls here (usually this is the case but 2022 saw flooding) seems to be enough to satisfy these drought resistant plants.

In fact, they seem to be spreading with the small fronds reaching the top of the local dune.

But not all are so lucky. Some expansion attempts don't work out well and we just get bare stems in places.

 

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes at Sunrise - II

By carefully picking the directions to shoot, I could, in spite of the footprints everywhere, make it feel quite empty.

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes at Sunrise

One of the things that the photo workshop offered that inspired this visit to Death Valley was sunrise here on the dunes at Mesquite Flat. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to do it on my own.

Death Valley - Devil's Golf Course

As we end our excursion along Artist's Drive, I found a place where it seemed as if gold was just lying on the ground everywhere. Rest assured, it is not gold.

Death Valley - Artist Palette - II

We stopped at the parking are and I ventured up among the boulders to see what I could see.

Death Valley - Artist's Palette

The Artist's Palette is aptly named. This is place filled with color. Not all of it is a rich, saturated color, but it is varied and draws one into the scene.

With more of a watercolor kind of intensity, the colors sometimes seem to be pained in. Parts remind me of neapolitan ice cream.

Other times, I am convinced that this is an other worldly place and that I've been transported to another planet.

With the deep blue sky overhead though, I am reminded that I am, indeed, still on the mother planet where grooves are formed by flowing water and colored hills are the result of chemical compostion.