| Re: Tues. chat and shout. 6-18-2013 |
Subject: Re: Tues. chat and shout. 6-18-2013 by teebee on 2013/6/19 2:06:44 Well, we are in California. Lindsay to be more specific. Another 444 mile day. This time we sandwiched in a trip to Hoover Dam. I decided that since it was supposed to be a travel only day, that we would get to California really early and after running some scenarios, Decided the trip to Hoover Dam would only add an hour and a half to the drive, plus what ever time we spent at Hoover. I am so glad that we made this trip. In similar fashion as yesterday, we are driving along AZ 93 going north and top a hill and BOOM, there is the west end of the Grand Canyon (below Hoover Dam) Even though not as deep or as wide as the part where we visited yesterday, still extremely impressive. I knew that it had to be like that, but was not expecting it like that. There was one pull off where we could stop and take pictures, but I missed it, so no pictures. We continued on to the dam, crossing the new bridge that is out from the dam. Can't see the Dam at all from the bridge. But there is a turn off where you can go around, park and walk across the new bridge. Kind of a cliche picture, but very impressive point of view.  We then drove over the bridge and parked and walked back across the Dam taking a few pictures. From the Dam here's the new bridge.  After the visit we headed for California, the Garmin took us north to Henderson NV, catching I15 toward Los Angeles. I15 goes through the Mojave desert and the north end of Death Valley. As we dropped down into the valley the entire landscape changes.....dramatically. It is obvious what we are coming in to. I15 is packed and rolling along at a very quick pace, no real chance to stop and take pictures. On to Barstow it is much the same terrain, white sand everywhere, even packing up the mountain sides. After leaving Barstow we headed northwest toward Bakersfield. During this part of the trip we start to see agriculture, just not sure what it is they are growing, dates and grapes? Just not sure. From Bakersfield we head north to Porterville and see Citrus trees everywhere, pistashio plants (I think) as well. Quite a change of scenery from NM and AZ. The traffic is considerably worse here in California too. Tomorrow the plan is to head into the Sequoia National Park and visit the BIG trees. Then head north a bit and Thursday visit Yosemite before heading on north. |
