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Heading Home

This trip didn’t last as long as I planned, but I have a good Dr at home that will take care of my back so I can get back out as soon as possible. One more drive-thru.

Rhyolite, Nevada

Only an hour north of the Death Valley Junction.

Death valley junction

Rhyolite is well cared for, definitely going back for a walk around.

Caboose
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Early trip home.

I woke up to the fact that I am a young person in an old body. I have had an iffy back for many years due mostly to being stupid and thinking I can do things I shouldn’t. So I woke up to limited movement, but I tried for another day, because I was so close to Death Valley.

Darwin

There is a great documentary on Darwin,CA on YouTube.

Post office and Dance hall

Art everywhere but no other services for miles.

My drive through of Death Valley is not much, all the good stuff picture wise is a hike I could not do.

First pull out

I spent the night just outside the park at the Pads on blm land. Lots of room but no signal.

Adding this for Solo Travelers. I live with my daughter, and I caused her a little anxiety by staying in a no-signal zone. The saving grace is that we use the 360 service on Google. She knew where I was, but was still worried since I hadn’t talked to her since the night before. I got in touch as soon as I got a signal, but I had caused her unnecessary worry. Most of the West has a lot of areas, especially in National Parks and Monuments, with no cell service. Be aware that your family will worry, so check in often if you fall Ill or hurt yourself as I did.

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Organ Pipe Cactus

Why AZ, why not? Just a few miles north of the park is a big blm area where I stayed the night before. Lots of room and a great T-Mobile signal. Make sure you do what you need to because there is no service in most of the park.

Organ pipe cactus

I took the Ajo mountain loop, pay attention to the length restrictions and prepare to spend at least 2 hours driving time. This is a one-way loop with a potty 2/3s of the way. Next time I will plan to spend the whole day on the other loop it is a lot longer.

Ajo mountain loop.

The song below touched my heart the first time I came to the desert Southwest.

Man walks among us.

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Great Sand Dunes

September 2018

I love the San Luis Valley of Colorado and the ride to The Great Sand Dunes National Park from Blanca is below Mt Blanca and as you approach the Park you begin to see the Dunes off in the distance.

I did not stay at the Pinon Flats campground but I did check it out and the views are stupendous.

The visitor center has a film and exhibits and a great deck.

You can walk among the dunes and at certain times of the year there is water from Medano Creek to wade in.

Definitely worth it if you are anywhere near.

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Back to Cheyenne WY

July 2018

For most travelers this is a one day drive, but not me. A two-day trip gives me time to go slow and take in the scenery, traveling without a co-driver means I have to stop to get a good look.

This trip to Cheyenne I am staying at  AB Camping Park, a good sam park with a wonderful BBQ Restaurant. Even if you don’t park here, you have to come to eat.

While waiting for a decision to be made on my toad, my insurance policy gives me a rental so it’s off to Rocky Mountain National Park for the day.

One thing that I learned on this drive is that I would not like to drive the Ridge Road in my RV, it is narrow, it is high, and I wouldn’t fit in every pull off which I could in my rental car.  I also had altitude problems at the Alpine Station.

I did get to capture some nice pics though. This beautiful valley.

And this overlook.

I went back to Cheyenne through the Roosevelt National Forest.

One high point of the day is seeing Elk. I didn’t get to stop to take a pic because the Rangers were herding them away from the highway but it was the first elk I have seen that wasn’t behind a high fence in Texas.