Alabama Hills

Catherine and I went up to Lone Pine for the night. I went primarily to photograph some spots in the Alabama Hills. 

First up was Mobius Arch with the Milky Way core rising in the free space. 

This time of year, that meant I was done by 930 pm. The next morning, I was back to photograph the sunrise. Mt. Whitney is the taller mountain to the left under the arch - it is the highest point in the lower 48 states.

Marc

Southern California Explorations

It has been awhile since I have posted, so I figured I'd bring everyone up to speed. Back in mid-June I took a quick overnight camping trip up to Inyo National Forest to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine forest area. I had no trouble finding a campsite, and enjoyed a beautiful sunset just feet away from my tent.

The next morning I was up early to ride up to 11,000 feet and see the bristlecone pine trees. The road was blocked by snow, but it was an enjoyable way to spend a good chunk of the morning. I'd savor the cool since the ride home was primarily in the 90's and low 100's.

The following weekend I took a trip up into the Sierra National Forest. This $10/gallon for gas place was also a stop along the Pacific Crest Trail. Luckily, I didn't need gas when I went through in either direction.

I did struggle to find a campsite, but not for very long. The place I stopped wanted $40 for me to pitch a tent...too rich for my blood, when the national forest permits distributed camping for free. So I found a lovely site all to myself, and enjoyed watching the stars come out and the sun rise through mist the next morning.

This next photo (below) was just a sunrise over our Mt. Tiefort here on base.

Two weekends ago, I rode up to Florence Lake, between Yosemite and King's Canyon/Sequioa National Parks in the high Sierra. It was fantastic! The photo below was from a granite dome - the campsite was basically dead center in the trees at the edge of the rocks.

Quick photo of Florence Lake looking off into the John Muir Wilderness.

This was the road in and out. It was paved the entire way, but was tight. Easy on the motorcycle, would have been tricky in the truck.

And finally, last weekend I drove out to Trona Pinnacles to see what that was all about. Pitched a cot in the bed of the truck and slept under the stars.

Cheers,

Marc

 

Exploring the Desert

We made it to California!

We are still in the hotel, but that hasn't stopped us from doing a bit of exploring. These photos are from Rainbow Basin, maybe a 30-minute drive from base.

It was the night before the full moon, but since we have plans for Saturday night, I thought I'd drive down and take some photos.

Catherine and I explored here last weekend, so I knew there were some Joshua Trees right off the road.

Cheers,

Marc

Motorcycle Camping Trip

The past Veteran's Day weekend, I loaded up the motorcycle to ride the Texas Hill Country Backcountry Discovery Route. It is a 500+ mile loop through some pretty remote parts of Texas. The first day, I rode with a friend from work. We completed the first leg by noon, so we grabbed lunch in Leakey and then rode the Three Twisted Sisters. Those roads are paved but twisty with lots of ups and downs like a rollercoaster.

We got back to Leakey, and then he had to head home while I went to my campsite (above). The next day I was solo, and it was the most remote section with multiple river crossings and bump gates to navigate. You have to get your tire against the bump gate, give it some quick gas, let off the gas to allow the gate to swing ahead of you, then swerve to get out of the way. It worked except for one very heavy gate - I had to hop off the bike and tie the gate back to get the bike through it. I ended up in Junction, where Catherine joined me for a hotel night.

Next morning was cold - there was frost on the ground! Catherine and I shared a breakfast, then I hit the road. It was primarily high country ranch land that I rode through, with lots of little (tiny) villages that were primarily a church and a post office. I got to Colorado Bend State Park where I camped for the night. I brought in left overs from lunch to eat for dinner, and just waited for the stars to come out. I was not disappointed!

The final day I got rolling by about 8am. This section had a couple of long and deep stretches of sand, which is quite squirrely on the bike. I made it through no problem, eventually making my way to Fredericksburg for lunch, and then finished out by about 2 pm. That was after a puncture to my rear tire about 1-2 miles from the end of the route. 15 minutes to pull the nail, plug the hole, inflate the tire, and I was on my way.

I got home in time for dinner and got everything unloaded. This weekend was a brew weekend - Belgian Dubbel. Cheers!

Marc

Mission Espada

With Catherine in Florida, picking up Leah to get her to college, I had the weekend to myself. I had lunch out yesterday at a greek restaurant which was underwhelming for the price. I thought about checking out the Missions for sunset, but decided against it.

So I got up this morning in time for sunrise (and to beat the church crowd - this is an active parish community) and had the place to myself.

Cheers,

Marc

Falls Creek Falls

I visited Falls Creek Falls the day before, but it is a popular swimming hole - for good reason!

I decided I would come back in the morning, which was a great decision. I had the place to myself for 30+ minutes. I brought my water shoes, so I was able to enjoy the cool water, too.

The waterfall is a short, 15-minute walk along the lakeshore at Lake Catherine State Park.

Cheers,

Marc

On Our Way

Well, we are on the road once more.

Ian has started welding school and is still in Pennsylvania. Catherine and Leah are in Florida, so Leah can have a consistent time of the day to take her online courses (Iowa State University) during our move. I am on my way to San Antonio.

Along the way we stopped to see Ian; Dad and Pam were able to come spend part of a day with us. While I continued west, Catherine and Leah headed south to Florida via the auto train.

I stopped to see my Mom and Chuck in Ohio, with a short visits to my brothers and an old friend. It was a short stay - onward to Cumberland Falls State Park.

There was no moonbow because of rain and clouds, but I still had a nice time. I got up to see the sunrise and make the short hike (less than a mile) to Eagle Falls, then loaded the van and made my way to Memphis.

I had two nights in Memphis, which was enough for me to do laundry, check out a brewery, and hang some photos that were Christina's Christmas gift this past year.

I took the back roads through Arkansas, and realized in short order that last year's impression of terrible drivers was not wrong...

Be that as it may, I made it to Hot Springs National Park on Father's Day, and adjusted my schedule to avoid the Gatlinburg of Arkansas as much as possible.

I got out to see a couple of cool waterfalls, and filled my thermos with natural spring water from the park. All in all, not too shabby of a trip - just wish the rest of the family were here to enjoy it, too.

Cheers,

Marc