End of the Road

Wednesday, 31 March – Death Valley National Park, CA to San Rafael, CA

1.View from Father Crowley Point at the west entrance to
Death Valley National Park on Hwy 190.

2. VIDEO: panorama from Father Crowley Point.

3. If it were not snowing, we should see Mt. Whitney from
Hwy 190 as we descend into the Owens valley east of Death Valley.

4. We experience winds in excess of 50 MPH.
A tractor-trailer was blown over by the winds.
The tow truck is pulling the tractor-trailer upright here.

I woke up today alone in the truck. We did not put up the tent because of the high winds. The truck rocked all night. Rays night on the cot outside was not restful. We packed up without ceremony. The sense that the trip was over really settled in.

We drove west on Hwy 190 past Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells Village. There was not much activity as the high winds had emptied about half the campground. We bought gasoline at Panamint Springs. We did not stop for breakfast.

The drive out toward the west entrance gave us a nice view a Father Crowley Point. There peaks of the Sierras, including Mt. Whitney, were hidden by snow fall at the high altitudes.

When we joined US Hwy 395, we drove south then followed Hwy 14 to Mojave. We took the freeway through Tehachapi pass. The wind was blowing a wet snow. The windmills were working overtime. We drove west on Hwy 233 south of Bakersfield until we joined I-5. The drive to the bay area was quick. We arrived before 5:00 p.m. to have dinner with Hedley and Ilona.

There were many great places and moments during the trip. Here are ten that I would like to experience again:

1. Walk the Malecon at La Paz after dinner at Ranch Viejo, relax, have an ice cream, and people watch.

2. Drive from El Arco to Bahia de los Angeles through San Francisquito and San Rafeal. The never ending scenery and solitude touched my soul. I would bring Francesco at San Rafael another Papaya.

3. Watch the whales breach endlessly off the beach north of Todos Santos while we drink tea on the beach.

4. Hike the canyon with Stephen Scalapino above the falls all the way into the Sierra Giganta. I wouldn't mind seeing the fig tree as well.

5. Have another conversation with Adolfo Villarino in Punta Banda.

6. Walk the beach and headland of San Basilio. I would like to snorkel with the fish next time.

7. Walk the beaches at Balandra and Tecolote north of La Paz on Hwy 19 and contemplate paradise.

8. Sit at Dantes View in Death Valley National Park and see if the surprise wears off.

9. Sing to the whales of Laguna San Ignacio and see if they really do listen.

10. Attend mass at San Javier and San Ignacio Missions.