Jen goes off the formal canyon trail, usually the best times.
Continuing onto a low peak.
There are a few places in the canyon where you either climb the walls or turn back. The former reminds me of my Mom's wall climbing sayings when I was a tiny 'bit' younger.
Have you noticed how many incidents are amusing when relayed to friends years after the occurrence. However, at the time, often they are traumatic, varying to only uncomfortable. Two such incidents occurred this week illustrating the point.
We arrived at Los Padres National Forest and ascertained an entrance fee of $10 was due. This is the only national park we know of that reneges on honoring its official passes. With a paid pass, a person has unlimited access to all parks. Go figure! While we had money, we did not have change. What to do? We were not about to pay $20 to the government, (we were annoyed enough), and of course, there was no cashier present so it amounts to an honor system-no change available. We are working on our 'honor' so we needed to find $10.
In our car, we usually store loose change and we did have quite a bit of it. We counted out $7 in coins after replacing a South African rand and Israeli shekel mixed in with the money, which are also the size of dimes. We placed the coins, together with 3 dollar bills we carried, into the envelop provided. Would the thick envelop fit through the slot? Good question and off we went to the receptacle. Before attempting the maneuver, it became apparent that the envelop would not seal. The coin counter might not appreciate finding what amounted to 78 coins splayed in the receptacle. Jenni suggested using a plastic bag (ziploc) which she also had in the car. Great idea. However, the slot was too narrow for so many coins even as we tried to spread them in the bag and envelop. Then, part of the bag wedged in the slot.
How about 2 bags to spread the size and weight with the ticket remaining in one of the bags? Another good idea from Jenni—that'll work and it did. Now we have to hope we counted out the correct amount or we might expect a visit from the FBI. Stranger things have occurred. (2nd incident below...)
Arizona: Lake Havasu district: A breath of fresh "water" in the desert.
Back to Death Valley: A view from a peak above Mosaic Canyon.
Hamblin Peak, Nevada, a painted desert with river/lake in distance.
Jenni, above picture, facing Lake Mead.
Canyon viewed from Hamblin Peak: water to the right (not in view).
Black Mountain, Boulder city, a treasure of a position for viewing Lake Mead.
The second incident was traumatic. En route to Morro Bay, we stopped in at a Walmart to purchase food supplies. As a precaution, invariably, I carry in my computer bag which houses the obvious plus valuables and passports. The latter is because we were heading to Nepal before a certain virus struck. I don't always carry in the bag to stores as most places appear safe and have security cameras in operation. However, we had recently been in Oakland and the apparent high level of crime in that city put us into a negative frame. It was like being in Johannesburg—we felt at home...nearly. There was a trolley next to the car so I took it and placed the heavy bag inside it. We entered the store and made our way to the produce section, passing the men's clothing. Jen said she was tired of the two blue t-shirts I was using as sleepwear. She called me over and displayed the one she'd taken from the shelf. It was fine, I thought, a light-blue t-shirt. I kid you not.
We continued down the aisle, made a left turn and headed for the Roma tomatoes and English cucumbers—it's like being overseas. I stopped, froze, panicked and felt years draining from my life. My black bag was gone. How could anyone have lifted it? It was always in my sight. I beckoned to Jenni. We were dumbfounded. What to do? Maybe I left it in the car. I turned and sprinted down the aisle of Walmart. Got to the car not expecting to see the bag. I was correct. It wasn't there. More panic. I spoke to Mark, the welcoming agent at the door about my situation. Before I finished with him, I noticed Jenni beckoning toward me. What was she indicating? I noticed a black object in the trolley. I excused myself and rushed across to her.
Correctly, I should have retraced my footsteps of earlier so that I would have noticed the trolley with my black bag standing alone at the t-shirts. She was right but I had been in full panic mode, not a good state of mind. Palpable relief. Amusing now, highly stressful then. Lessons learned: If you have 2 blue t-shirts, you have sufficient. And that's another brilliant and inspirational thought that makes me a genius.
Lava Butte, a tough and somewhat dangerous climb, without a trail, in such a dry region with Lake Las Vegas and Lake Meade close.
A desert with a giant man-made lake, Mead.
Back to Death Valley, little water, surprising beauty.
Could it be a lake in the distance or Jen hallucinating?
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
Continuing series of birds.
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