Well, as I said in my last blog I actually slept well and consequently I woke up at 5:30am. Holy shit! I’m going to be late at Zabriski point. I had to hurry, go to the bathroom, get some coffee and I was gone. When I arrived there, there were quite a few people gathered, I actually saw 2 people with large format cameras. I figured, they probably know what they are doing, so I kind of followed them around. As they moved, I would move. They probably figured I was stalking them. I finally found a good spot and waited there for the sun to come up. It was nice that the moon was still out so I was able to get a couple shots with the moon in the picture. Overall, it was good experience.
After Zabriski, I was close to Furnace Creek which is something like a resort with golf and a lot of other amenities. I figured I’d have breakfast there. I had a Gouda omelet with coffee. My bill came out to $14.50, a little pricey but it was good. The theme in the restaurant was the Old Ranger that would come on TV in the 50’s and presents a show called “Death Valley”. It was sponsored by 20 mule team borax. I used to watch that show religiously every Saturday night. The show always had something to do about cowboys in Death Valley. Probably the younger people who read my blog won’t know what I’m talking about but there are probably some of you older ones who will or at least admit that they do.
After breakfast I was on the road again. I came upon a field called “The devils corn field”. It’s actually brush that has sand under it but for some reason, it’s elevated, don’t know why, but I did include a picture on my blog. My next and final destination was the slot canyon near where I’m camped. From my camp I had to drive another rocky, bumpy, jarry, holey road again. I must admit, my van came thru again. This was supposed to be a 1.5 mile walk through canyons and then you come out in an open field. I never quite made it to the end. I brought my camera equipment, recall 2 bags, and my 18 pound tripod. The hike was pretty much straight up through canyons that you had to maneuver over rocks and ledges. I swear to god I was going to toss my tripod out over a ledge. It was so cumbersome maneuvering with 2 bags and a tripod. Recall the dunes incident. I did manage to go roughly a little over a mile before I had to turn back because of the difficulty in the terrain. I did hear from a couple other people who were at the parking lot that the best part of the trail was the first quarter mile through the canyons. Where were they when I started this hike. I did manage to pick up a couple more bruises and my tripod got dinged and now one leg does not slide together. I’m sure it was an accident that it got dinged, there was no way that I could have tossed it at the wall 2 or 3 times. I also bruised my elbow when I had to slide down ledge to get back on the trail. Oh well, all in a days work.
When I got back to camp, it was 1:00 pm. I decided to take a shower and after shower I spent the next 2 hours writing up my blogs in Death Valley. I hope to leave Death Valley tomorrow morning and when I get to Bishop, publish it.
Next stop, Yosemite, I hope. I heard a couple people say that 120 was closed. I’m hoping it’s open tomorrow. If not, I’m sure I’ll figure something out. Me out.
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