Apr 8, 2015 Death Valley to Bakersfield

April  08, 2015 Death Valley to Bakersfield

Woke sometime in the wee hours to discover that the wind was no longer rocking the van and whistling around the vents.  Rose early and had oatmeal for breakfast then headed back to Artist’s Palette to see what the early morning light would present.  Light makes so much difference!

We then headed north a bit to explore Titus Canyon, one of the longest and deepest in the park has a narrow road through it, but we opted to walk into it for a mile or so.  Huge rock walls, scattered plants sometimes in strange places.  A few flowers and even a few butterflies. 

Next we headed past the sand dunes (up to 100’), west to a rough dirt road to Mosaic Canyon.  This is a narrow, rocky canyon but not so deep.  Lots of people taking photos of each other.  Often when we come across a person taking photos of a group we offer to take it so the photographer can be part of the picture.  Again, we are hearing many different languages.

We go back to the main road and a small store at Stovepipe Wells  where we take advantage of their picnic tables on a shaded porch to have sandwiches.  Temps are only in the 70’s, but feel much hotter in the sun.  We continue west, climbing nearly 5000’ and then south – it is a long way through desert on Panamint Valley Road to escape the park and then more desert. 

View of another valley as we leave Death Valley area

The only community we pass is in Searle Valley which is home to a large mineral plant which produces borax, salt and other borates.

We are headed to Sequoia National Park but there is no direct route, as the Sierra Nevada mountains with Mount Whitney at over 14,000’ and others form an effective blockade!  So we travel south to Mojave, and then west and north to Bakersfield.  Pass many wind turbines atop hills.  We are into much greener agricultural land now, with many vineyards, orchards and cattle.  

Bakersfield is fairly large city with a lot of mineral and oil-related companies. We find a convenient  Lowe’s.  After talking to their manager, however, we opt to go across the way to Walmart which has more lighting and security.  But not before we park and I use Lowe’s wifi for a few hours while Greg does PT!  We have rotisserie chicken and a salad for dinner.