November 30, 2012

White Pocket
Paria Canyon
Arizona

 7:00 AM --just before sunrise. Since we arrived at White Pocket after sunset last night, we had no idea what we were going to find...

We were both speechless!!! It's one of the most extraordinary places we've ever seen--well worth the challenging drive.

Everywhere we turned there was something even more mind-blowing to behold!

 For our trek back to civilization we decided to air the tires down again. We were reluctant to leave but knew we needed to allow plenty of extra time (in daylight) to get out.

It took over 2 hours to drive 15 miles in sand. Airing the tires down a little more gave us better traction.
We made it out of White Pocket thanks to the sure-footed Roamer and Steve's expert driving!

Tonight we are parked at Walmart in Farmington, New Mexico.
Tomorrow we will restock, refuel, catch up on e-mails and then head out for our next adventure--Ah-Shi-Sle-Pas.

November 29, 2012

Sunrise at Valley of Fire State Park--The Wave
Overton, Nevada

Spent the night at Valley of Fire

6:42 AM
The Wave
Valley of Fire State Park

Back on the road headed out of Valley of Fire to White Pocket in Marble Canyon, Arizona.

On the way to White Pocket
House Rock Valley Road in the Vermillion Cliffs, Arizona
Airing the tires down in preparation for 25 miles of dirt and sand roads.

We made it to White Pocket right at sunset. The roads were by far the most challenging we've ever been on (and we've seen our fair share)--teeth rattling corduroy and very deep sand.
 It took us almost 2 hours to drive 15 miles!!!

We are the only ones here...except for a few little critters. This is about as remote as it gets. You'd never make it without 4-wheel drive and very good tires!

Obviously no internet service so will send tomorrow when we get back to civilization. Wish us luck!!!

November 28, 2012

Sunrise at Trona Pinnacles
Trona, California

Self-portrait
Trona Pinnacles

This terrain put the Roamer (and the driver) to the test. Both passed with flying colors!!!
Trona Pinnacles

Halfway between Trona and Ridgecrest on Route 178
California

Sunset at Valley of Fire State Park
Overton, Nevada

Spending the night at Valley of Fire State Park tonight. We'll be up at 5:00 AM tomorrow morning to shoot sunrise. Our next destination--White Pocket in Marble Canyon, Arizona.

November 27, 2012

Trona Pinnacles
Trona, California

Stayed overnight at the Bakersfield River Run RV Park. Spent the morning at a Ford dealership getting the oil changed and answering a million questions about
the EarthRoamer. We always attract attention wherever we go!!! Comment by one Ford salesman, "If this were mine, my house would be on the market and I'd
be out of here this afternoon!" Another employee said, "I used to have just one hero...now I have 2!" Love it!!!

First stop after leaving Bakersfield--Red Rock Canyon State Park. Outrageous land forms!!!

Next stop--Trona Pinnacles in Trona, California.
The unique tufa spires make it look like another planet. First time off-road...had to go into 4-wheel drive to get out of soft sand.

 Sunset at Trona Pinnacles. It really was that color!!!

 Trona Pinnacles
Decided to spend the night here so that we can shoot at dawn. We're the only ones here............I think.

Tomorrow we stop in Las Vegas to pick up a few things at Whole Foods and then on to Valley of Fire.

November 26, 2012

This is what healing looks like...

Dedan Gills and Belvie Rooks, founders of Growing a Global Heart
Dedan is a writer, poet, producer and pioneer of "Green Recovery." Belvie is a writer, educator and producer dedicated to social justice, ecology, feminism and spirituality.
Check out their website, growingaglobalheart.com to see the extraordinary work they're doing to heal the planet, both spiritually and ecologically.

The Tree and Me by Dedan Gills

Morning glow/ Prelude to flight
Moving shadows/ Dazzling light

Insect array/ Melodic sound
Wandering roots/ Fertile ground

Dying leaf/ Tender bud
Sun parched earth/ Winter mud

Sanctuary joy/ Leafy glade
April shower/ Summer shade

Carbon loving/ Oxygen giving
The tree and I/ Reciprocal living

Hushed in silence/ Her canopies entrance
Together we live/ Together we dance

After being socked in this morning, we left for Bakersfield, California. We're spending the night at the Bakersfield River Run RV Park--a chance to catch up on laundry,
replenish our water supply, empty the septic system, etc. Tomorrow morning we'll have the oil changed at a Ford dealership (we've driven 5,000 miles in 3 weeks!)
and then head to Red Rock Canyon State Park.

November 25, 2012

Tennessee Valley Beach
Marin County, California

 After the fog lifted this morning...
Floating homes
Sausalito, California

Afternoon hike in Tennessee Valley with Iz and Craig.

The fog crept back in at sunset and the waxing gibbous moon appeared.
Tennessee Valley

Quite the poser!!!
Tennessee Valley Beach

We're off to Bakersfield, California tomorrow morning as we begin to work our way back to the east coast. Lots of exciting stops planned along the way!!!

November 24, 2012

Deer Park
Marin, California

 Spent the afternoon hiking in Deer Park with daughter Iz and Craig.

Iz
Deer Park

Sit...Rest...Enjoy the view
Floating homes
Sausalito, California

Night-night everyone...

November 23, 2012

Houseboat or "Floating Home" as is preferred by many residents.
Sausalito, California

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner last night with AMI friend Paul Germeraad and his family in Saratoga, California.

Spent the night at Costco in San Jose. Parking overnight in a city is a challenge. All RV parks were full and there is no overnight parking on city streets. We awoke to crowds of people lined up outside Costco anxiously waiting to get inside for all those good deals!!! No...we were not part of that madness!

"Floating Homes" at sunset in Sausalito

November 22, 2012

Sending you best wishes for a happy Thanksgiving from Sausalito, California!

November 21, 2012

Fuel with a view
Mount Shasta
Weed, California

After a full day's drive from Oregon, we met my daughter Elizabeth and her sweetie Craig at Belvie and Dedan's houseboat in Sausalito, California.

We had a very special dinner at Avatar's, "Purveyors of Ethnic Confusions," in Sausalito.
For the past 22 years, Avatar's has been serving free Thanksgiving eve meals to the community. Last year they served 1500 people!!!
Incredible meal, extraordinary place!!!

November 20, 2012

Eric's garden
Central Point, Oregon

 Annie and Eric's driveway
Central Point, Oregon

A break in the storm--on the way to the grocery store
Lower Table Rock
Jackson County, Oregon

Rainy day--good time to get long overdue chores done.
We leave for San Francisco in the morning.

November 19, 2012

Lake of the Woods
Oregon

Lake of the Woods
Oregon

Roamin' in Lake of the Woods
Oregon

Went to see Annie and Eric's cabin. Breath-taking scenery!!! It was the Roamer's first trek through snow--performed like a champ!!!
One more day in Central Point to finish various chores--installing hard drives, doing laundry, catching up on paperwork, stocking up on groceries, etc. Wednesday we head to San Francisco to spend time with daughter Iz, her significant other, Craig and very dear friends Dedan Gills and Belvie Rooks.

We'll see how the Roamer likes big cities...

November 18, 2012

Sunrise
Painted Hills
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
Mitchell, Oregon

Boardwalk
Painted Hills
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
Mitchell, Oregon

After an early-morning shoot in the Painted Hills, we spent the rest of the day driving to Central Point, Oregon. We're spending a couple of days with Steve's sister Annie and her husband Eric.