Death Valley, CA
Monday, I think. Who really cares.The weather report for Sunday night in Lee Vining was snow flurries. Nadya and I decided to move up the stay in DV by a day. Good thing we did. When we got up Monday morning the snow flurries where building into real snow. We departed early for breakfast in Bishop with the storm chasing us.
The storm was moving slower than we were so we soon where traveling in clear skies. After breakfast we took a side trip to see the Ancient Bristle Cone pines. The road to the Bristle Cone forest is spectacular with a view that extends from the north end of the Sierras to the southernmost peaks. It makes you see them as an entity – a mountain range – something you don’t really feel when you’re up close.
Nadya and I went for a brief walk amongst the pines. If you don’t know, Bristlecone Pines live at 10,000+ feet. Being from Portland, <500 feet, we were not quite accustomed to the lack of oxygen on this planet. So after 100 yards up hill we decided to rest and walk back to the ranger station.
The trip from about 10,500 feet to -190 feet took 3 and a half hours and 170 miles. The temperature climbed from 37 degrees to 82. The storm we had been running from was being blocked by the Sierras, except for the wind. The weather forecast for DV said “Windy and cooler… SW wind 20 to 30 mile with gusts to 40. Ridge top gusts to 60” After driving the 170 miles, I think we were on a ridge the entire way. As we passed the roadside marker declaring we were at -190 feet it began to rain. Rain and sand storms. Fun. To be perfectly honest a rainstorm in DV is having to turn the windshield wipers on once or twice. Most of the time the raindrops splatted off the windshield and were gone.
Now we’re settled in at the Furnace Creek Inn for five nights and feel like we’re on a movie set from the thirties. Nadya took her pedicured toes down the circular rock staircase to the pool, while Jim enjoyed the COMFY bed, fluffy pillows and cold beer. After a week on the road, bed quality appreciation is very high. Jim is sighing happily, “It’s just so civilized.” Nadya recommends floating on your back in the pool watching the palm trees wave in the wind and the clouds go by overhead. Did we mention it’s WINDY?
J- What kind of drink would be appropriate?
N – If it was just hot I’d say Margaritas. I think G and T’s. The wind makes me think I’m on station somewhere.
