Monday, October 3 …

Hear the wind blow!! Man can you ever.  Gale force winds have crimped our style.  That and waiting for the tire repairman.  When we dropped the trailer in Furnace Creek Ranch Resort (Death Valley) we discovered a very slick tire.  Momma is in a panic; I too am a wee bit concerned.  It is much too slick to hit the highway.  We’ve called for help.  We have a spare but not the equipment for making the change.

The primary part of my concern is the WHY?  What caused that one tire to wear so badly while the others seem to be normal?  And, should I expect it to do that again?  In discussing this with the RV Park maintenance guy (an expert, I am sure) we decided it must have been under-inflated.

$85 later I still don’t know the cause.  The tire repair guy suggested that the opposite tire being under-inflated could be the cause.  There is just too much speculation to nail down a reason.  We’ll head to Texas at the mercy of the tire gods.  If it happens on the road – Good Sam will come to the rescue. 

This is our second day in Death Valley.  We spent a nearly sleepless night worrying about that tire.  We did get out last night for a sunset and some evening light.  The drive to Zabriskie Point was a bust.  Either I am slipping or that spot is not all that the brochures proclaim.  I took a few experimental images and took off for the sand dunes in Mesquite Flats.  The drive was longer than the time left to make it.  We missed the sunset.  But, the Magic Hour was still upon us.

The Magic Hour is that short period of time (much less than an hour) when the sky is still blue and color is still visible on landscapes.  Some of our most treasured images are made during that magic hour.  You probably can find explanations with a Google search.  It is not something I am making up. 

The sand dune image is much less manipulated than it may seem.  I did some work in the sky but the sand and mountain are what the magic hour, small aperture, and long exposure gave me.  You really should give it a try.  Watch the sunset then stay a little longer.

Staying a little longer got me into hot water.  I forgot that Jane doesn’t carry a key to the truck.  She was locked out -  in the dark -  surrounded by strangers -  and getting a little upset.  Uh Oh.   My suggestion that she learn the key code didn’t make her any happier.  

Did I mention – it is HOT.  The Air Condition fan makes a lot of noise.  It is especially annoying when it clicks on and off as the AC turns on or off.  I set the fan to continuous run, which still makes noise but it is constant (like the surf  ).  I also set the AC to a slightly higher temperature.  With the fan on continuous, it was not possible to know when the AC was cooling or just blowing hot air.  Jane got to call me “Dumb Ass” for that one.  I think it made her feel better about being locked out of the truck.

We’re “winded in.”  It is ferocious.  The trailer is rocking and the dust (sand storm) is thick.  Even had we chosen to venture out in this, there is little to be seen or photographed.  Couldn’t be good for the cameras either.  Maybe Death Valley was a bad choice for this time of the year.  Problem is – the *&%$% wind is blowing too hard to pull the trailer.  We still have two night to go in the valley.  If this *&*^### wind continues we may have to stay longer. 

Later…

Made the effort this morning to get out early.  Set the alarm for 6 o’clock and actually paid attention.  Jane couldn’t manage it.  I encouraged her to stay in bed.  She only goes to make sure that I don’t fall or get lost. 

I drove to a higher altitude at Dante’s View.  It was majestic but very COLD!!!  I keep a sweat shirt in the truck but that was not enough.  I would watch the sunrise, see a picture, run to where I had a camera mounted on a tripod, snap a picture and dash back to the truck.  Not much happened there.  I headed for warmer climes.

There is a road very near our campsite called Artist Drive.  It is a great drive at any time of day and probably even better for later afternoon/evening. I’ve nearly convinced Jane to go exploring this afternoon.  It really is beautiful.  One small section is called Artists Palette. That is exactly what it looks like.  I did not know a mountain could be so many colors.  I took a few images in the flat light – the sun was behind the mountains – and made note of the good spots for my return visit.

Nothing earth shattering came of my loss of sleep.  It was warmer along the Artist Drive and I discovered Golden Canyon Trail.  It would be a good hike if the wind would settle a bit and the temperature would cooperate.  I don’t really relish returning to the spot in current conditions.  My honey for damned sure is not walking in these conditions,.

I’ve been editing and uploading a few pictures.  Boredom encouraged me to pay the extra fee for a day of internet connection.  Jane is reading.  We’re both satisfied – I guess.  She has a load of laundry but even making the trip in the truck requires fighting the wind to hold doors open and keep clothes in the basket.  I’ll probably hang here to help her with the basket … maybe. 

I think we are about ready for home. 

l8r

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