Still at the Big Gully

This space has been quiet for a while, due to recalcitrant electronics.

Wednesday we drove to Jerome and Meteor Crater.

I risked the wrath of She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed by driving the back roads
from Williams to Jerome. Not her cup of tea traveling the middle of
nowhere. I would do it again on the least provocation. Jerome was as
tourist-ridden as Virginia City and nearly as steep. The State
Historic Park was closed so we did not bother to stop.

To mollify my beloved, we made our way to Meteor Crater by freeway
(I'll save the other back-road for another day) and we arrived just an
hour before closing, which proved to be enough time. For Her, the
claim of having been there suits just fine.

Today is her lazy day. I will take care of laundry, then hang out at
Yavapai Point, lurking in wait of That Special Light.

--
Stephen,
The Archeoferroequinologist
(parse that one out, if you dare)
http://twitter.com/StephenHFoster
http://offtherails-shf.blogspot.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shf/

Beginning Vacation Blues.

Ever get somewhere special only to be such bad shape from getting there that it's not particularly enjoyable? We did several miles of walking today, but I was miserable for most of it. Part of my problem is a coffee jones that's been building since Barstow - Starbucks may not be as ubiquitous as I thought. Too much coffee early on and a tendency not to drink much water on long drives and I'm dehydrated. As it was, I was feeling dry hand making a lot of pit stops all day. Of course, I still want a cup of good coffee. Now to a bath.

Looking Down Through Time

Mather Point, Grand Canyon: We got out early and walked to the rim. I was not stunned by the view. I expect to take it in more slowly - the details will grow on me. The cameras stayed in the room, except for Somrak's. This time my photography was on demand. After breakfast, water and some rest we'll be out exploring some more.

Grand Canyon

We're here. We got here too late for sightseeing. A glimpse on the way in was already startling. I'm feeling the altitude - I will be walking slowly, but I will be walking.

National Trails Highway

California Inn, Barstow. Old
Route 66 is now the National Trails Highway. From San Bernardino, Cajon Blvd is cut by I-15. A way around is through Devore. Formerly four lanes, one side is closed, to save on maintenance. The road is discontinuous. A short hop in the freeway to Summit Valley Road, then to Hesperia.

Victorville. Oro Grande. Helendale. Lenwood. Barstow. I don't think those names are in the song about the California Trip. We took our time, including wandering through the twists and turns of a housing subdivision. Still not much photography - I still want to see before I shoot.

I am particularly fond of the desert. I think it is the openness that appeals to me. Perhaps it is the geologist in me that delights in seeing the underlying structure of the land.

Starting up Cajon Pass

We're in San Bernardino filling up the gas tank. We got off the San Bernardino Freeway (I-10) at Mt. Vernon Ave., old Route 66. We will get our kicks, as much as possible in the freeway age, to the Colorado River.

Crack of Dawn

Denny's Restaurant at Sunset and Van Ness, Hollywood, CA.

Well, not the crack of dawn, it's 9 am. After yesterdays rush, I'm glad for a little slowdown. The shops in Thai Town, just a few blocks away open at 10. Food Max is also on the itinerary for some produce.