Death Valley, Saline Valley 11/7

We're leaving the woodlands for desertlands! 8500 feet for 2400 feet. 13 degree nights for 37 degree nights.

We'll see………… :)

When I called the NPS line, I got a very helpful guy on the phone saying that the road was passable, there is no rain/ weather in the forecast, so the dunes should be a good destination, except.. When I mentioned that we would go from the Eureka dunes, to Saline hot springs, then exit from there, Would it be better to leave the north pass route, or south pass? "going from Eureka dunes to Saline is not recommended- ugh.

So, lets forget about the dunes and just go to the hot springs.

Good idea.

The road is long and rough- like 37 miles long and rough, but the oasis that is Saline hot springs is nothing like we read, or saw. It's truly an oasis, but the people are laid back and maybe it's an old hippie enclave!?

Planes!

F1, F5 , F35, in the morning 4 F15s!

White Mountains 11/6

We camped in the white Mountains, at Grandview Campground, 8540 feet elevation, and woke up to 13 degrees! Welp, seems like hell froze over because we picked up a few bars cell service to find out that we will have another DJT presidency- it's like a day of mourning. I'm happy that we have been out of touch so as not to be so bombarded and fatigued with all the news stream, nonetheless, it’s a shock and "I can't believe this!"

Susan mentioned that perhaps it was fitting to be in the presence of the ancient Bristlecones, as they have withstood 4,000 years of existence in a very harsh place. Let's gather some of that resiliency and know the long game is not about these 4 years. Yes we'll need to fight to retain our democracy.

The sun came up today the same as ever, and that feels good. Stick to what's important, and carry on.

Perhaps it's a time to reflect, and listen to what it is that the conservative voters are searching for? The voters are believing in a dream that I don't quite understand, but to listen, and understand, maybe we can come together on some cornerstones of what we deserve as a nation.

In the meantime, I have a newfound respect for Pinyon Pines (or Pinyon trees if you don't want to seem redundant). The Pinyon and Juniper woodland is so impressive. The Pinyon are shedding their cones, and pine nuts are all over the place! The trees seem to have a competition with the bristlecones for tenacity. They are growing in the rocks, enduring the high altitude severe weather, and have a similar twisted form, they are amazing.

Once the sun came up, and warmed us to at least 20 degrees, I went for a Mountain Bike ride from camp to an old mine site, with breathtaking views of the Sierras, the Pinyon pines, Utah Junipers and rock formations in this magical woodland. Dang those climbs are brutal! Maybe it wasn't the view that took my breath away! A great start to the day!

Bristlecone Pines and Limber Pines, White Mountains, 11/5

The ancient Bristlecone Pines, over 4,000 years old! Imagine the changes on planet Earth in the last 4,000 years. Rather than a Pine forest, it’s a sculpture garden with ancient living wooden sculptures depicting the sinuous curves of a flame. Sometimes a bonfire, or the locks of Medusa jutting out at every angle. I could spend a week with these, if it weren't so cold. But that's where and how they thrive- where others can't, how others can't. when most trees would die if the bark is stripped off, the Bristlecone endures. Large swaths of bark removed by rockfall, snow slide, ice and wind, as much as 90% of the bark can be removed, yet the tree will live on.

This is also one of the places when the photographs fall short of the awe inspired by the grove of trees. The lines, forms and colors of the trees and snags have the patina of weathered barn wood. Seeing them was like watching the flames jump from a bonfire, only frozen in time, paused for you to walk around inspect from different perspectives.

Bristlecone Pine Sculpture

Then on the way back to camp, the sky put on an amazing show for us- just to ensure that I stayed out and froze!

Sunset before our 13 degree night!