California trip

[Docwagon 856]

We went out to California again, visiting the in-laws in Anaheim and taking the opportunity to go back to Death Valley and the Mojave Preserve. We didn't get to do everything I'd hoped due to flood damage closing some roads and trails, but we did get to see things we hadn't done last time. I couldn't sneak my Power Wagon into checked bags so I made due with a rental Ram Classic 1500 4x4. Only one hill was a little sketchy, it did everything else without drama, though I did get a little nervous on one section of softer sand. My wife wanted to stop for a photo but I was afraid we wouldn't be able to get going again if I lost momentum and I didn't want to rely on random Jeep Bros to help us out, though I'm sure they would have.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Those are all from Death Valley. Temps were in the 60s most of the day, colder at higher elevations and warmer at lower elevation, so we did a lot more hiking the canyons and trails then last time. We stayed in the park again, but this time at The Ranch at Death Valley. Nice hotel, terrible restaurant. Avoid. Drive to Beatty NV or at least to Stovepipe Well village in the park, much better food.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Various places in the Mojave Preserve, including the Lava Tubes, which was the main goal for the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These photos were taken on the trail network behind my BIL's house. At least 18 miles of trails that start about 2 blocks from his back door.  I think the last rock formation looks like a mummy, but some have said nun or mermaid when I showed it to them.

I have a ton of other photos, but many are too big for my free host to accept and share. We went to Huntington Beach and climbed around on the rocks, found tidal pools with sea urchins and other little sea creatures living in them, went to the Santa Monica pier, and several other little day trips. I have to say I've rarely met anyone as nice and nobody more generous as my BIL that we stayed with. He's the one who donated 2/3 of his liver in a futile attempt to save SIL's life. Just a genuinely incredible guy and we got along great the entire stay. MIL was still there and of course that was great. I met two more BILs I hadn't met before, but work schedules and distance kept us from spending a lot of time together.

All in all, a really great trip.

[cyberninja2601 1,103]

 

Death valley is amazing. We love hiking there . The trails at the top of your post oddly look familiar. 

 

Did you run into some of those wild burro that are all over the place? 

[Docwagon 856]

On 12/2/2022 at 8:25 AM, cyberninja2601 said:

 

Death valley is amazing. We love hiking there . The trails at the top of your post oddly look familiar. 

 

Did you run into some of those wild burro that are all over the place? 

 

We did, in Beatty they were walking through while we were getting tacos from the taco truck.