Death Valley to Zion With a Raindrop Here and There

There have been some very interesting things crossing my path as I drive through the Southwest.  From little chipmunk creatures who scurry VERY quickly across the road to a roadrunner to a fox who ran across highway 15 today.  As I left Las Vegas (thank goodness), a formation of five military jets flew in formation over the highway bidding me farewell.  It seemed like a fitting end to that crazy place!  Happy to get to Zion in time to hike to Emerald Pools and walk around the tiny town of Springdale.  Here's some photos from the last few days.
For anyone not familiar with the Amargosa Hotel and Opera House, it is located in Death Valley Junction and was bought in the 1960's by dancer Marta Beckett.  She performed there and painted the opera house, the rooms and the hallways with her amazing art.  She still lives there and is 91.  The place was originally home, hospital and town for a borax mining company and its employees.  It is said to be very haunted.

Death Valley

 

The Stage at the Opera House

Painting in Room 9 - the Most Haunted Room

 

Vegas

 

 

Rain in the Desert?

Weather!  While I have missed the worst of it, I did have to drive through some pretty deep puddles on route 160.  What is going on?  I left a drought in Northern California and hit some heavy rain in Death Valley.  Crazy.  The drive, for the most part, has been nothing short of spectacular with beauty around every bend in the road.  Here are a few photos from the beginning of my trip, not including  Death Valley, the Amorgosa Hotel and Las Vegas. 

Along the Road . . .

 

 Mono Lake . . .

Bodie . . .

 

Bristlecone Pine



Mt. Whitney

 

Entering Death Valley at Sunset

 

Alaska is AWESOME!

Hard to believe that I haven't made an entry since March, but time flies and life gets busy.  I'll keep this short.  Was fortunate to get to go to Alaska with my friend for a week and got to do all kinds of fun things.  The trip included a kayak trip on Resurrection Bay, an all-day boat trip through Kenai Fjords to Northwestern Glacier, a hike to Exit Glacier and a trip to Denali National Park - a lot to cover in one week! 
Alaska is beautiful beyond description, so I'll let the photos speak for me.

Kayaking on Resurrection Bay

Boat Trip - Kenai Fjords

 

Northwestern Glacier

 

 Denali National Park