Day 13We drove from outside Flagstaff up to Grand Canyon, because, well, why not? We wanted to see
what the canyon looks like in warmer weather, without the snow on the canyon walls.Turns out it looks
very similar, just, no snow. And it was a cloudy day, with some rain over the canyon, so the lack of sunlight really flattened the view so that there was very little sense of depth. Definitely 
not the best time to see Grand Canyon on a cloudy day. (Odd little Grand Canyon fact: When it rains over the canyon, often the rain evaporates 
before hitting the floor of the canyon, a mile down!)Plus late spring and early summer are the beginning of the tourist
season up there, meaning there were hordes of tourists crowding the viewpoints, scenic overlooks, and promontories. Turns out we were really spoiled on our previous visit, even though it was freezing cold. But not having to jockey with all the other travellers for a view was absolutely worth it. If you can visit the Grand Canyon some time other than summer, go for it.On the other hand, coming from the eastern side and heading west along the South Rim was a different view. In fact, before we even arrived at the canyon, we saw some of the smaller canyons along the Colorado River, sort of a preview or prelude to the Grand Canyon itself. That was fun and interesting.
Even better, we met a young bull elk along the way. He was just happily eating some greenery by the side of the road, and didn't seem to mind when I pulled over to watch him. He looked up at us while I grabbed the camera, but then he went back to eating and wouldn't look at the camera. He was really beautiful, even in profile, but he had a wonderful sweet face I'd have liked to photograph. Oh well, camera shy elk are still amazing.
Days 14 to 16 (today)We looked at several possible routes to drive from the Grand Canyon to our next destination, Lake Tahoe. (We aren't there yet.)
There are several options, but most routes meant driving on super highways, through desert and major cities. And while deserts and cities have 
their charms, I've been needing green. Forests, trees, cool green quiet. As we drove through more of Arizona, and parts of Nevada and southeastern California, I've 
been feeling more and more mentally parched. I don't know how else to describe it - it's like my psyche just needs someplace full of water and a 
green environment to feel peaceful. But this way, we'd go through some of the sequoia forests, see what the mountains look 
like, and head into a cooler climate.So we decided to follow Highway 395 up the east side of the Sierra Nevadas. This included driving
around the north side of the Mojave Desert, one section of which seems to be full of Joshua trees. We've
actually spent time in at least three deserts this 
year - the Sonoran
Desert, the Chihuahuan Desert, and the Mohave Desert. Our route took us from Tusayan by the canyon to Kingman, AZ, Barstow, CA, and into the mountains. Last night was had a delightful night in the tiny town of
Independence, high in the corridor between the Sierra Nevadas and the Inyo Mountains. Tonight we're in Bridgeport, CA, elevation 6,463 feet above sea level!!! (That's almost 2 km in elevation!)Some of the route took us on old Route 66 - a natural for us, because Richard and I both naturally take the road less travelled. It seems that Highway 395 is one of those roads as well.
US 395 crosses five mountain passes as the road winds around the Sierra Nevadas. I think we drove through most of them today! The one I remember is Conway Summit - there was a sign saying we were at 8,138 feet (2.48 km!) in altitude. Ack!! Apparently this is not only the highest point along US 395, this is also the highest point along a US highway in the state of California!!!
Plus we drove past Mt. Whitney, the highest mountain in the continental USA at 14,505 ft (4.42 km). (Yes, many of the mountains in Alaska are taller. But Whitney is the tallest in the lower 48 states.) Several peaks in Colorado are almost as tall, and Mt. Rainier is just less than 100 ft shorter.
So, we have several hours each day driving through picture postcard scenery, beautiful grey-blue-purple mountains majesty, capped with snow, and equally majestic dark green coniferous trees. We drive onward climbing up and down and winding around mountains! It really is a gorgeous route, and the weather is much cooler than down in the deserts. Through tiny towns and bigger towns, past shiny blue mountain lakes, and mostly through shady green forests and huge trees.
We've seen signs for elk, deer, cattle, and cautions for deer migrations. I keep waiting for migrating deer thundering across the road, but haven't seen them yet. There are occasional fields of grazing cattle, but the region seems to be predominantly wild landscape, road, and hiking trails.
SO soothing to my soul!!!
And our travels thus far through California:
Colours are the same as when I visited. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete