And Manzanar
The road seemed a lot more rough on the way out of Saline valley. What a magical place, but a bit weird too- maybe that's what is so magical. An odd collection of people in the desert oasis.
We spoke to some fellow Portlanders, and he said he'd been here like 20 years ago, and there were almost nobody here- just an old naked guy. I missed my opportunity to say "he's still here!" there is a 30 day limit to camp , so that's something. Most of the folks we met were exceedingly nice and enjoyed the hot spring "spa". I'm failing description of the "magic" of Saline valley hot spring.
The few folks that we spoke with couldn't believe that we "just stumbled upon this" rather than be invited, or someone told us about it.
Tom and Kelly- they've been on the road for 10 years! He calls themselves "dirtbags", I guess gathering dirt- camping
Everyone was polite, nice and seemed educated- but I guess not judgmental, oh, here I go again- not making sense.
Coyote, Bats, Rabbits, Roadrunner, and a bunch of naked people in the hot pools. Burros like books I guess, we saw a few on the way out, but without the books.
We stopped at the Saline valley sand dunes, since I didn't get to go to the Eureka dunes- the road directly there was "not advised"- definitely a 4x4 road- I can appreciate that more now than ever. These roads are rough!
Just ask Ginger.
On the way in, we had 2 eggs fall casualty, even in the plastic protective case, on the way out the carton of broth sprung a leak- rough roads!
The sand dunes! I loved seeing the evidence of life in the dunes- there were footprints of all kinds of critters, mostly not identifiable to the layman like me.- still very cool though.
Big pine, independence, Manzanar, Lone Pine, Alabama hills
Leaving the Saline valley on Saturday seemed right, but we noticed a huge influx of people for the long weekend- it's Veteran's day on Monday, so a lot of people have the long weekend- bad new if you want to go somewhere popular- like the Alabama hills! :(
Anticipating the crowds, and the camping restrictions and the poor timing, we set out to see what this place is about. Initially we did find it busy, and full, so hopes dropped quickly for finding a place in the rocks. But we persevered, and did find a camp spot at the north end of Alabama hills. It's nice, and the scenery is incredible, with the rock outcroppings.
Not really into the movie scene, but the area is spuer impressive, geology wise!