We drove north on #127, Death Valley Road, and a few miles north of Baker left the highway taking a trail onto the lakebed...parched and cracked and almost perfectly flat...an easy target for yahoos on dirt bikes or 4X4s, to rip it up. But this is now a protected area and patrolled by the National Park Rangers. Over the years that we have visited this area it has become a tradition to toast the sunset, and each time we find something new to celebrate.
We had often wondered why this 'breakwater' dividing the dry lakebed...and this trip we discovered that it was a mining railbed that had long since closed and the ties and rails moved elsewhere. I am embarrassed that I did not think of that right off...it is as straight as...well...train tracks.
Baker lies about 5 miles south in that little valley on the right side of the horizon. I look like an alien.
The sunsets out here do not disappoint.
As we drove back across the lake to the highway I saw the headlights of a vehicle turn off the highway and head towards us. I told Helen it was a Park Ranger and sure enough as I veered towards him, he reciprocated and pulled up about 5 feet away, driver to driver. He was wearing body armour and was more paramilitary than a Smoky the bear Ranger. He probably had his Glock pointed at me on his lap, fearing that I too may have a weapon pointed at him.
He is polite and asks if we know that this is protected land and vehicles aren't allowed.
I act surprised yet pleased that this interesting desert abberation is now safe. I confirm with him that this is Silver Lake and he tells us of the cemetery up a couple of miles on the east side at a county improvement area. We said good night and went our different directions.
We weren't his fears or his target but I enjoyed talking with him as the sun set.We did find the cemetery in the last light and will return.
More to follow, starting with sunrise on Kelso Dunes.
Happy Trails
He is polite and asks if we know that this is protected land and vehicles aren't allowed.
I act surprised yet pleased that this interesting desert abberation is now safe. I confirm with him that this is Silver Lake and he tells us of the cemetery up a couple of miles on the east side at a county improvement area. We said good night and went our different directions.
We weren't his fears or his target but I enjoyed talking with him as the sun set.We did find the cemetery in the last light and will return.
More to follow, starting with sunrise on Kelso Dunes.
Happy Trails