Continued on down 395 with the majestic Sierra Nevada to our right and the Inyo Mountains to our left, an epic sweep of a valley so wide there's room for other stuff.
We stopped in at Lone Pine to check out the Alabama Hills, with crazy rock formations and the locations of many a Western movie and TV series.
The hills' geology and weathering seem to lend themselves to the formation of arches, thus:
But this is also a great spot to view Mt Whitney, the tallest mountain in the lower 48. So combine the two for a cheesy photo op.
We then stocked up with water and gas before heading, against Ruth's better judgment, at least, into Death Valley. We hadn't booked a campsite and were tossing up between one at 4,000 feet which might be a bit cooler, or an air-conditioned motel room at sea level. Drove in to Stovepipe Wells first and were staggered by the heat, so after a quick look at the sand dunes (the towels were wet...for about 30 seconds)...
..we headed for the hills - Wildrose in the Panamint Mountains, and its campsite, passing a group of wild burros on the way.
However, when the only living thing for miles around seemed to be the wild donkeys but probably included many a rattlesnake and the odd mountain lion, and the campsite was bleak and blown by a howling gale, we decided the air con was worth the $200.
At this point Ruth and I were actually begging to be transported out of this baking, windy, dusty hellhole. The landscape, although amazing, is very harsh and not what we would call beautiful. Glad to have been here and seen it, but we'll be heading out of here as soon as we can.
At this point Ruth and I were actually begging to be transported out of this baking, windy, dusty hellhole. The landscape, although amazing, is very harsh and not what we would call beautiful. Glad to have been here and seen it, but we'll be heading out of here as soon as we can.
So to the motel, and they had a pool! Swim, dinner, beer, useless Wi-Fi...(real) bed.
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