There were several long days drive from Mono Lake in eastern California: over an 8500 foot pass in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, with our brakes smoking all the way downhill; half way around the west side of Lake Tahoe, (gorgeous, Whistler-like homes) then on to the lower plains of central California, with an altitude of only 113 feet! No wonder it was tough on Mike’s shoulders, descending all the switch-backs without power steering. This is farming country, with mostly almonds and walnut trees in the fields; unfortunately we’re too late for the almond crop yet too early for walnuts. It’s a disappointment as there is no comparison to fresh walnuts. One of the final days drive north was 795 km; amazingly, no traffic slow down in Seattle; only five minutes at the border then home within minutes!
What have we learned?
That it's amazing how quickly one can adapt to living in a small space.
That we still enjoy our extended time in Westie.
When it’s hot in the desert, even at an altitude of over 7000 feet, it’s still HOT!
What have been the highlights about this trip?
The rolling hills in The Palouse area of Southeast Washington
The festive ambiance of Santa Fe, New Mexico
The Taos Pueblo in New Mexico as well
The slot canyon in Page, Arizona
The Tufa's at Mono Lake, California
The interesting people we met along the way; both American, Canadian and many Europeans.
Our interaction with the Native Americans
The disappointments?
Mediocre South Western food
Seeing guns for sale in Walmart
The crowds in Moab, Utah, in particular at Arches National Park
The ATV’s that spoiled the pristine lines of the Coral Pink Sand Dunes in southern Utah
The no-see-um's that come out at dusk; they see-me and I-feel-um!
Losing a day due to car trouble.
That we had to cut short the trip in such a beautiful part of the continent.
Hope you have enjoyed my first attempt at a blog. There are a few glitches in laying out the photos that I need to learn how to correct and if you have any suggestions I’d love to hear them.
Cheers for now,
Heather & Mike
The Rambling Wanderers,
