Southwest 2021-18: Rhyolite NV to Alabama Hills CA to Home
March 24-25, 2021
The next-to-last day of our trip, we left Red Rock Canyon near Las Vegas and meandered to Pahrump, Beatty, and Ryholite NV (see our Southwest 2021-17 post for more on those stops).
Rhyolite NV to home, Visalia CA.
We continued on CA 190 through Death Valley, making numerous several-thousand-foot descents and ascents en route to the Alabama Hills, where we'd camped the first night of our trip, five weeks earlier.
Father Crowley, the "Desert Padre," stopped here between his home in Lone Pine and ministering in Death Valley to admire the view of Rainbow Canyon. In recent years, folks have stopped in hopes of seeing a military test flight roar through the canyon.
We stopped and took a picture of the sign for Darwin because we visited Darwin on our first trip together, to Death Valley, in 2003, in Doug's VW Vanagon. After touring Darwin, current population 100, we drove the two-wheel drive Vanagon to Panamint Springs on a deeply rutted four-wheel drive road.
Darwin began in 1860, when an E Darwin French, of our hometown, Visalia, set out to discover a lost mine. He didn't find it, but he did find various ore deposits, which brought more miners to the area. At its height in 1877, Darwin had about 3,500 residents.
We found the Alabama Hills, which are all boondocking, i.e., camp where you may, more crowded than in late February. But we discovered a short branch off the main road that turned out to be one of our favorite camp spots there.
Doug soon went over to talk to the owner of a brightly painted Promaster. Not long after, Brian, the owner, came to our site to continue their conversation.
Meanwhile, Marilyn was doing very serious things at the amazing table Doug designed for her inside the Promaster, while enjoying the view.
Then Doug discovered if he got up on the slight hill above our campsite, he could make phone calls.
It was finally time to uncork the bottle of wine Van Works gave us when we picked up our van in November 2019. We were so fortunate to be able to celebrate our first road trip after over a year of the world being locked down and so much illness and death due to the worldwide pandemic.
The next morning, we left the Alabama Hills. We arrived home before noon, after 5,185 miles of glorious country, and wonderful times with new acquaintances, family, and friends.
The next-to-last day of our trip, we left Red Rock Canyon near Las Vegas and meandered to Pahrump, Beatty, and Ryholite NV (see our Southwest 2021-17 post for more on those stops).
Rhyolite NV to home, Visalia CA.We continued on CA 190 through Death Valley, making numerous several-thousand-foot descents and ascents en route to the Alabama Hills, where we'd camped the first night of our trip, five weeks earlier.
Descending from Rhyolite to the floor of Death Valley...
...still descending.
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes east of Stovepipe Wells, Death Valley.
Another ascent...
...and another descent.
West side of Death Valley National Park.
Climbing to Father Crowley Point.
Father Crowley, the "Desert Padre," stopped here between his home in Lone Pine and ministering in Death Valley to admire the view of Rainbow Canyon. In recent years, folks have stopped in hopes of seeing a military test flight roar through the canyon.
Sign at road to Darwin.
We stopped and took a picture of the sign for Darwin because we visited Darwin on our first trip together, to Death Valley, in 2003, in Doug's VW Vanagon. After touring Darwin, current population 100, we drove the two-wheel drive Vanagon to Panamint Springs on a deeply rutted four-wheel drive road.
Darwin began in 1860, when an E Darwin French, of our hometown, Visalia, set out to discover a lost mine. He didn't find it, but he did find various ore deposits, which brought more miners to the area. At its height in 1877, Darwin had about 3,500 residents.
Joshua Trees and the White Mountains.
Final descent, to the Owens Valley.
Owens Lake.
We found the Alabama Hills, which are all boondocking, i.e., camp where you may, more crowded than in late February. But we discovered a short branch off the main road that turned out to be one of our favorite camp spots there.
Brian and Doug: Brian's brightly painted Promaster in the background just to the left of our Promaster.
Doug soon went over to talk to the owner of a brightly painted Promaster. Not long after, Brian, the owner, came to our site to continue their conversation.
Doug recounting a story to Brian...
...continuing to recount...
...and continuing...
...and finishing the story.
Marilyn's view from passenger seat inside the Promaster.
Doug on the phone...
...and continue to illustrate with his hands.
VanWorks wine that came with our VanWorks conversion.
Mt Whitney in background.
Mt Whitney from our campsite.
The next morning, we left the Alabama Hills. We arrived home before noon, after 5,185 miles of glorious country, and wonderful times with new acquaintances, family, and friends.
What a grand adventure. Hard to believe you guys have been together almost 20 years. It seems like yesterday that you brought Doug into our lives. Of course, he and Ed had many adventures together as college roommates but he's been a wonderful addition to our circle of friends. Hope you have many more adventures to share.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Frances. Serendipity is indeed wonderful.
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I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
Other then that, amazing blog!
Thank you so much. I realize this comment is over 2 years old & apologize for not responding then! I think IE tends to have difficulties in a number of areas. I don't use it anymore myself. Thank you so much for reading! Really appreciate the kudos!
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