gswrt: day 1: like a band of gypsies we go down the highway

today we began our 12 day road trip from santa cruz to madison. today's travels involved putting a little distance between us and the ocean, driving down interstate 5 through not-so-scenic bakersfield, through the mojave desert, and ending up in death valley national park. the highlight of the drive, at least until we got near the park, was this exit.


i always thought he was from muskokie, oklahoma, usa. not wasco, ca.

the drive into the park is a steep descent through sharp curves following the contours of a barren rocky mountainous wilderness. it is strikingly beautiful. here is a picture of rainbow canyon.


upon arriving in death valley we took a short hike through a small canyon to darwin falls. the amazing thing about this hike is how verdant and lush the area surrounding the falls is when compared to the stark and barren landscape of the valley surrounding it. it was simply breathtaking.


we finished our day with a delicious pasta dinner at the panamint springs resort while we planned our full day in the park tomorrow.


much of today was spent driving. there should be a lot more to report on tomorrow, as we descend the last 2000 feet into the valley of death. please look for gswrt: day 2: life below sea level, coming soon.