TD2 2019 Adventure - NV - Dave & Susan visit

We arrived in the afternoon, and were greeted by David and Susan's chickens.

Since then we've take a couple of hikes (Red Canyon and Rickey's Canyon) with Dave, his neighbors and their dog "Dawg".  What a good boy!

Also got a look at their Mongolian yurt, and helped recover it before the snow was scheduled to fall.  Alas, our sunny weather was finally coming to a close.

But that is giving me time to catch up on photo reviews, making these albums, getting them somewhat annotated, and fire up the Thistle Dew Too blog.

Hey, it's a start ;-)

Gratuitous animal photos:

Meanie, Meanie, Tetrazzini

Dawg's a Good Boy!

And here's the album for our visit so far:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/crisp_travels/albums/72157711958862088

TD2 2019 Adventure - CA - Yosemite NP, Day 2-3 and Lake Mono Picnic Area

Our campground was chilly (underneath tall Sequoias, so not much sun), and there are no electrical hookups available anywhere inside Yosemite.

But we survived fine, even on the second night when it got down to 20 degrees!   Thank goodness for the down comforters we've had since our first tour in Germany.

Our first hike was something of a cluster, as the park ranger had sent us toward Mirror Lake (even though it was dry), because she apparently intended for us to walk across it; we missed that tip, and too a long loop around the "lake".  What was supposed to be a 5-6 mile hike turned out to be about 9 miles.  No big deal, but not really all that scenic.

After that, we heard that Tioga Pass was likely to close the next day, and although there are alternate ways out of Yosemite, none are as convenient to reach Carol's brother's house -- our next destination.

So we actually cut our visit short 1 night to beat the snow, and as such, there is much left to see on another visit or three.

And we had nice views of Half Dome and El Capitan, followed by yet more scenery along Tioga Rd.  That is simply amazing!  Finally, we ended up on Rt 395, and stopped for brunch at Lake Mono (long "o" on both sylables) Picnic Area -- a very interesting place.

Then off to Nevada.

Teaser photos:

Carol at Mirror "Lake"

El Capitan Illuminated!

Mono Lake Tufa Towers

Album containing all the photos:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/crisp_travels/albums/72157711958961853

TD2 2019 Adventure - CA - Yosemite NP, Day 1 - Amazing drive on Tioga Rd

We took advantage of what looked to be the end of our amazing run of sunny days.

We noticed that the Tioga Pass (just under 10,000 ft) was still open, offering a scenic entry into Yosemite National Park.  We found they had a few spots available in Upper Pines Campground, so we made our way there.

After staying at June Lake and having an enjoyable morning there, we took our time on the Tioga Rd and really enjoyed the scenery.  What a magnificent entrance to Yosemite!  And what spectacular weather (note the topless man relaxing around 9,000 ft elevation ;-)

By the time we arrived in Yosemite Valley, the sun was already starting to set, so we had nice illumination of Half Dome, and made our way to the Visitor Center and our camping spot.

Teaser photos:

Heading up to Tioga Pass

Sunset on Half Dome

And here is the album from Day 1:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/crisp_travels/albums/72157711956965477

TD2 2019 Adventure - CA - June Lake and the Ducks!

After leaving Death Valley, we drove on Rt 395 and wanted to find a campground close to Tioga Pass, so we could enjoy the scenery heading into Yosemite National Park.

We tried stopping at a place called the Devil's Postpile, but they were closed for the season.  So we headed to June Lake, which we had visited on a previous trip.  Turns our their campground was closed as well, be we found another RV located in the parking lot by the lake, and the nice German couple said they received permission from the visitor's center to boondock there.  That was good enough for us.

And what a beautiful morning we had (after a chilly night) on the lake, visiting the ducks and getting down to sand level to take some pictures.

This was the perfect place to stay before heading up to Tioga Pass!

Some teaser photos:

Boondocking at June Lake!

Here come the Ducks!

And here is the album for those that are interested:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/crisp_travels/albums/72157711963458488

TD2 2019 Adventure - CA - Death Valley

On our way out of the Mojave National Preserve, we took a wrong turn and ended up in NV on the way to Las Vegas.  So we turned around, but decided to spend the night at Buffalo Bills Casino (where we found a Denny's of all things).

Crossing back into CA the next morning, we noticed the Stateline Solar Farm which looked intriguing.  Next, since it had been pretty chilly at night, we figured it might be good to head to the hottest spot in the US:  Death Valley.

It was pretty cool (yet warm ;-).  I never realized how large this place was.  We decided to drive through Badwater (lowest spot in US), and largely followed the course of the Badwater 135 Ultramarathon, held every July!!, running from Badwater up, down, and up, up, up to the trail head of Mt. Whitney in Lone Pine, CA,  That's simply insane!

Alas, there was no RV parking at the salt flats in Badwater, so that will have to wait for another time.  Thistle Dew Too deserves kudos for handling those steep up and down grades coming out of the Death Valley.   Way to go, girl!

Another teaser photo:

Laundry anyone?  Perhaps a ride?

And here is the album for those who are interested:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/crisp_travels/albums/72157711958314693

TD2 2019 Adventure - CA - Mojave National Preserve and the Hole-in-the-Wall Campground

We spent a couple of nights at the Lazy Daze factory getting some work done on Thistle Dew Too, and buying a bunch of pre-emptive spare parts, "just in case".

Then it was time to get out of Southern California (let's just say it is not on our list of possible new home locations ;-).

So to get away from the crowds, we made our way to the Hole-in-the-Wall Campground inside the Mojave National Preserve.

We really liked the place, and hiked both of its loop trails:  Barber Peak Loop Trail and Rings Loop Trail.  They both actually end up near the Rings, so you'll see some photos of each of us climbing out of the canyon from both days, depending on who was taking the pictures.

Very nice hikes, and very interesting rock formations.  And as my new half-brother David said when I sent him a few of these pics "Hey, is that your Spirit Horse?"  I don't know, but it was really amazing to stumble upon 4 or 5 grazing horses of different colors, and have the white one come over to me and say "hi".

As we departed the campground we were greeted with a spectacular sunset among a very large Joshua Tree "forest".  Alas we had little time for pictures as we were running out of daylight to get off a lengthy washboard road.  But we made it!

Teaser photos:

A gem amongst a field of gold

My Spirit Horse

And here is the photo album for this nice visit:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/crisp_travels/albums/72157711955887732

TD2 2019 Adventure - CA - Palm Springs & Lake Perris, meeting our half-brother

So this is quite a story.  We were on our way to see my sister when she received an e-mail from someone on Ancestor.com that she may have a unknown cousin.  Then it turns out -- not a cousin but a half-brother.  Which means ... that I also have a half-brother.

After digesting this information, we make arrangements to meet our half-brother David, and some of his family.  All of our respective parents are gone at this point, so we can't gather any additional details, but we also get to avoid some really awkward conversations ;-)

Hey, it's always exciting to enlarge the family tree!  So now it's time to meet "a brother from another mother" ;-)

Here's our enlarged family photo:

Meet David, our "brother from another mother"!

Here are some pictures from our visits in Palm Springs and at Lake Perris:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/crisp_travels/albums/72157711745282432

TD2 2019 Adventure - AZ - Grand Canyon, Day 2 -- Sunrise, Sunset, and down into the Canyon

Our second day included Steve heading out solo to watch the chilly sunrise and sunset.  Not spectacular due to the lack of clouds, but still worth the extra activity.

Then we decided to descend a bit into the canyon via the South Kaibab Trail to get the feel of it (especially the return hike uphill).  Our target was aptly named the Ooh Aah Point (sounded worthy of the effort).

This time of year is perfect from a temperature perspective to hike down the canyon.  And we enjoyed it enough that at least Steve (and maybe Carol) can envision a hike down to the bottom of the canyon, assuming overnight accommodations are planned in advance.

We'll see -- it's on someone's bucket list. ;-)

Here's the aptly named Ooh Aah Point and a sunset canyon glow:

Aptly named Ooh Aah Point

Grand Canyon Sunset Glow

And here is the photo album, probably the most photos I kept from a shoot:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/crisp_travels/albums/72157711954772801

TD2 2019 Adventure - AZ - Grand Canyon, Day 1 - simply amazing weather!

After much hemming and hawing, and checking of weather forecasts (since night-time temps were looking pretty low), we decided to make another assault on the Grand Canyon.

We secured a campsite for two nights, and boondocked not far from the park the night before arrival.  It was a great spot, and our first 2019 campfire was lit, just for the heck of it.

Weather during the day was absolutely perfect at the Grand Canyon, and we mostly just walked along the South Rim Trail this first day.

Pretty amazing views for a really large hole in the ground, or as I heard a park ranger tell someone when asked for the best place to see the grand canyon, "hey, it's the same hole, just different angles." ;-)

Here's a gratuitous Grand Canyon overlook photo (plus a humorous dog):

Carol & Steve cling to the edge and each other!

He's a looker, alright!

It's a Dog's Life!

And the photo album for those so inclined:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/crisp_travels/albums/72157711820985252

TD2 2019 Adventure - AZ - Red Rock Crossing

Our next stop was at a place recommended by my sister and BIL, called Red Rock Crossing.

We found it inside the Crescent Moon Ranch by taking the Budda Beach Trail (not Buddha, as I originally saw ;-)

There used be a low-water crossing area that cars could use to ford Oak Creek.  While that is no longer in existence, we found some trees and a makeshift handrail that we used to get across, which took us on the Templeton Trail (a wonderful rock ascent trail, shared with some intrepid mountain bikers).

It made for beautiful views, and great exercise.  More climbing could have been done on the Cathedral Rock Trail, but we were still working up our stamina, so we let discretion be the better part of valor ;-)

Here's a couple of teaser photos:

Steve above the Fall Foliage

Northern Mexican Gartersnake

And here is the complete photo album, if so inclined:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/crisp_travels/albums/72157711956441272

TD2 2019 Adventure - AZ - Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

So our next stop was at the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park in Pine, AZ.  We decided to buy an AZ State Park annual pass, as we figured we would get some use on this trip, and likely next year as well.

We followed the Ana Mae Trail to some incredibly smoothed (and slippery, even when dry) rocks, and had this interesting view of a natural travertine marble arch bridge that you could look through and see a small waterfall cascading in the sun.

The full loop trail was closed, so we decided not to venture too much further (which would have provided better photos given the afternoon sun), but still had an enjoyable hike.

I'm still amazed that people aren't sliding down these smooth rock faces and hurting themselves on a regular basis.  Be sure to wear grippy footwear if you hike this one!

Here's a sample photo:

Travertine Marble Arch Bridge, Waterfall, and Reflection

And here is the full album, if interested:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/crisp_travels/albums/72157711955964886

TD2 2019 Adventure - AZ - Dropping in on my sister and BIL

By this time, it had turned cold across most of the country.   Originally we were heading for Albuquerque, but we needed to get further south.  So we made arrangements to head to my sister's home in Scottsdale, AZ.

There we had some great meals and conversations with Linda & David, but largely left the camera at home, except for few walks and visits.

Here we learned the fascinating news that my sister and I likely had a half-brother!  So before departing, we made arrangements to meet him and some of his family the following weekend (more on that later).

So we're off for a few more Arizona adventures in the meantime.

Desert Roadrunner on one of our walks

Brief photo album can be seen here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/crisp_travels/albums/72157711813025766