So, last Saturday, Porter, Harry, and Isla came by for a donut run- they'd done the running and we got to enjoy!!
And last weekend also featured a visit from our good friend Evan - we enjoyed playing "catch-up" and just generally solving the world's problems!
So for this weekend, I suggested a "road trip" to inaugurate our "new" Volvo. We had originally planned to leave Friday after school and of course that didn't happen - Dad and I both had work issues. I have learned a valuable lesson from Dad though, and I did not grouse and complain all Saturday morning about our change in plans. I just embraced it and said, "I'm sure glad we are going - whenever it happens!!"
I had seen an incredible photo in the last Sunset magazine of the Last Chance Range in Death Valley, so I suggested we go there. And go there we did - but we didn't make it to Last Chance - turns out it's really far away - Death Valley is huge, by the way!!
We just started driving in the right direction - and stopped when we felt like it - had breakfast in a place called Kramer Junction - at a restaurant called The Roadhouse - and it was a very fine breakfast - one of the best I've ever had.
We took some turns - and some turnarounds - and ended up at the start of the national park that is Death Valley. These photos do not do it justice at all - I was saying to Dad, "You know, the desert is beautiful in its own way. And since we live in the West, it's time to embrace that beauty."
The rock formations are amazing - a true geologist's paradise I am sure. And it is so empty and quiet and serene - meanwhile hiding all kinds of strangers - like rattlesnakes and scorpions for starters!! And endlessly large and prehistoric looking. I love it. Sunset was incredible - Dad video-taped it with his camera - ask him for his little show - it's pretty entertaining.
We found the turn-off to Scotty's Castle - a fascinating story behind that place - Google it sometime - you'll get a mini-history lesson at the same time.
Dad was busy taking shots of all the interesting construction and engineering details. Like this door!! The exterior hardware was amazing. We didn't do the inside tour - it was getting late. We'll do it next time. Turns out the place we originally started looking for is 1 1/2 hours northwest of Scotty's Castle - we'll have to start earlier next time for several reasons!
It's a long story - but this - if you can believe it - is an unfinished swimming pool!! Somehow it never got done.
With all of the engineering wonders the owner's had constructed - solar panels to provide heat and air conditioning, harnessing a nearby spring to run the generators - the pool was apparently not at the top of the list!!
There were lots of old cars in the "stables" and of course Dad was intrigued by them all. Dad remembers going to Scotty's Castle as a very young boy - with his family - had some fun stories to tell about that too. Maybe I should have brought along a tape recorder!
Because we were so "last minute" there were no vacancies at the 2 affordable "resorts" in Death Valley - there were at Furnace Creek - starting at $330 a night! So we drove back to Lone Pine - and had a wonderful dinner at a restaurant called Seasons - try it if you are ever there - and stayed at a Comfort Inn, but maybe next time we'll try one of the local motels. The view from our window at the Inn was pretty great though - the snow-covered Sierras in the moonlight with the stars glittering in the constellations - what a way to fall asleep!!
There is a branch of the church in Lone Pine - the members built this in 1952 - and it's wonderful - tiny and charming and very little church-issue stuff in it!! The branch is tiny - 80 members on their rolls but only about 20 on most Sundays - we came on a good day though - there were almost 40 in Sacrament meeting. A couple is called every two years from Ridgecrest to come and supplement the leadership. And there were 6 investigators there today too - Dad was busy comparing notes with the two very competent elders who were assigned there.
Afterward there was a potluck in the tiny cultural hall - they have one the 3rd Sunday of every month - talk about good timing - and this is their kitchen - don't you love it?? Our day with the members of the Lone Pine/Independence Branch was an inspiring experience. And of course, like all good Mormons, we found many "connections!!"
On the way home, we stopped to visit Mom, Donna, and Joan. All was well when we arrived home - a perfect getaway.
Dad has to work Monday - I don't - I'm going to sleep in to celebrate!!
And the title? We drove past a marker that said "Sea Level" - and drove until we were at 150 feet below sea level! And then went up to over 5,000 feet above! In a little over a day!
Try it - it was fun!!
