39.12 Western United States: Perhaps, the best set of the mix from 'cool' deserts.

A memory and strong impression of a desert scene that will remain with us...we hope. The blessing of rain brings out the colors, growth and washing of rocks and boulders.




A long view from a peak in the Mojave desert of Laughlin, Nevada, perhaps 20 miles. Across the Colorado River, a tiny part of the water protruding mid-left, is Bullhead City, Arizona.
A person can gamble in the casinos of Nevada, such as in Laughlin below. The buildings in the photograph are essentially casinos. However, no casinos are allowed in Arizona or California as it is an illegal activity. Nevertheless, on Indian reservations situate in both Arizona and California, casinos are permitted which makes gambling legal. Therefore, you can gamble in casinos in Arizona and California. "Have you got that?"




We suppose we could go on publishing many fresh photographs from the last trip but it's time to move on to the next one, which promises to be a little different from anything we've undertaken thus far. Although we were hiking in the middle of winter and experienced some cold and snowy weather, it was superb. Utilizing crampons when appropriate and following the sun when things got rough in places like Flagstaff bore fruit, and some ripe and sweet ones at that. To put things in perspective, we were still in some of the warmest places in the Northern Hemisphere—'tough guys'. I shudder to think of living outdoors in the northern part of the country and of course, in Canada during winter. The Canadians are terrific people—we wonder if it's the cold that molds them into a desirable state. Whatever the case, South African, San Diegan and some western states' winters, linked with traveling in the lower hemisphere during spring and autumn at times, has spoiled us...spoiled us rotten...but we like it.

During 2018, we enjoyed two autumns, the first in Argentina during March and April while in Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia during September and October. It's delightful because of the foliage, cool weather, fewer visitors and just because... We're trying figure how to have 3 autumns in a year. Stay tuned!



A cheer for- or cheers from- the Great Canyon. Perhaps, a favorite of the Grand Canyon...besides all the other favorites from this incredible place.




Thrilling return from the top of the little rock behind. Notice people walking along a trail at ground-level. We are at the half-way mark, not a long hike, but steep and slippery.




The San Francisco Mountain Range, includes Mount Humphreys, Arizona's highest, a reason to return in more hospitable weather.




Difficult to imagine such formations: Death Valley, California. Jen comes up a steep section.




Golden Canyon. We'd come from the floor of the canyon to reach one of the peaks.




We met Carl somewhere in the Mojave desert on a really cold Sunday morning. We were partaking of breakfast, sheltered behind some boulders, when he spotted us and halted. Earlier, we'd commenced hiking shortly before him but had walked in the opposite direction of the loop—for some reason we tend to find ourselves traveling in the counter direction quite often. People say it's because of the jeans (genes) but I for one, have never taken to denim so it's puzzling.

Anyway, Carl appeared to be lonely and wanted to talk. He's a civil engineer with the National Parks Department, based at Lake Mead. We ended up hearing a bit about office politics. We don't know many, if any, government employees so it was a good opportunity. Besides, he seemed to love hiking but more by the way of long treks in the wilderness so he could remove himself from modern living from time-to-time. Did we mention he struck as a loner?

We asked him about the recent government shutdown and the implications for him and his co-workers. In the end, it sounded consistent with government and political policy. Close operations and don't pay employees. Productivity, is that an oxymoron? is then lost to the country. It would make economic sense (not nice though) if salaries were also withheld. As Carl mentioned, he had a paper to write whether now or later. It would have to be written sometime. Because the government employees were going to be reimbursed for lost salaries and wages, the loss was then limited to productivity only. So who were/are the losers and what was gained? As taxpayers, we're not smart enough to understand it.

We left Carl wondering whether there were any openings in government for people like ourselves. Our ideal would be to continue exploring the world through hiking, writing and taking photographs. Now, if someone was willing to pay us to do that,... perhaps we should approach the government. Nice thought.



Rovey's Window or Needle: Crossing from back of the mountain to the front through the window. Not good manners but effective.




Never fails to amaze when we come across a massive body of water in the desert. A corner of Davis Dam, Laughlin, Nevada.




The 'long and winding road' near the northern part of 'Painted Desert'.




This particular hike gave us a completely different perspective of the glorious Sara Park in Arizona.




'Storm brewing, let's go home,' she said. "Sure. As long as we define home as that peak," he answered. Guess who had egg on his face. ("At least it's protein," he added lamely.)




Jen (red top) waits on the shoulder, suspecting rain is imminent. I did not think it would rain until we got back to the car. Very convenient. It wasn't that bad sitting in the car after the hike, only a little soaked, but cleaner.




Coloring, formations and texture are a knockout in Golden Canyon, Death Valley.




Jenni surfacing from another canyon.




The two light intensities, sharply separated, create an interesting effect, somewhere in the Mojave.




Nevada's Big Dune. Commencing with a small one, moving on and up. What you can't see is 3 people chasing Jenni (see below).




What we found fascinating is the similarity in stride of Ellie with her Mom's. (If we did not know, we could have mistaken this photograph for Natalie as a child.) Benny stumbles and then recovers smartly. The big guy on the end came in third but was commended for effort by the kids.




Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey



On our return to Lake Poway, Mount Woodson, our favorite 'duck', Ossy, the Osprey, makes a long-awaited appearance and gives us the 'eye'. Where've you been, fella? Gone fishing? There's something fascinating about the raptors, which occupy the top or close to the top, of the food chain.




PS To Doug Morton with much appreciation for his incredible comments posted on the previous blog.