An 8000 km trip around the western USA, April 2011
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| Our
route, clockwise, around the western USA.
From LA through Death Valley to San Fran then tried to go past Mt St Helens en route to Seattle but got snowed out. Eastwards from Seattle to Yellowstone NP then south through Utah's canyonland to the Grand Canyon, thence back to LA. An old school friend,Gordon, joined us on this trip. |
Death Valley
The lowest part of the US, dipping to more than 80 m below sea-level and also the hottest, though not when we were there. Full of wondrous erosional landscapes.
| Gordon joined us on this trip, he is the centre, whilst David is at the edge of the carpark, restricted by psoriatic arthritis |
One of many marvellous contorted landscapes |
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A sandstorm blotting out the mountains |
| We hoped to go through Yosemite NP en route to San Fran but it was blocked by snow. So back down south and up the coast. More marvellous rock forms to be seen | One of California's large wind-farms dusted with snow |
San Francisco
| Kuntala driving across the Bay Bridge to SF from Oakland | Something of great interest to these two. |
| Riding one of the famous cable cars | Resting at Fisherman's wharf! |
Leaving SF - crossing the Golden Gate
| Tried to go past Mt St Helens - that's the cul-de-sac top left | Nearly there, but thick snow, no traffic and no chains so turned round |
Seattle to Yellowstone
After 4 days in Seattle, headed east to Missoula (originally the Hellgate Trading Post), Montana, then slowly turned south to Yellowstone NP
| A dramatic roadscape near Missoula | Route passes through old mining towns some made famous in cowboy films. This is in Butte and was a major copper mine. The viewing area's not bad! |
| Frozen lake, coming into Yellowstone NP | Now you know you're in Yellowstone |
| Old Faithful | Not so old but Faithful outside the Visitors Centre |
Yellowstone to the Grand Canyon
Heading south from Yellowstone through Salt Lake City and into the Utah Canyonlands. Spectacular scenery exceeding the Grand Canyon in some parts.
| Eroded high plains of Utah | A few more steps to your left? |
| An occasional flower brightens the desert ground | 'Park Lane' - this featured in an opening scene of one of Clint's westerns |
| Mexican Hat Rock by the San Juan river |
| Outside the motel in Mexican Hat - the San Juan river behind Kuntala | In the Canyone de Chelly National Monument |
Grand Canyon
| In a Flagstaff diner | On the rim of the Grand Canyon |
| Having a friendly chat - one Indian to another! | Taking a helicopter flight over the GC - worth the money |
| On the eastern side of the GC |
| Leaving the Grand Canyon en route for LA | Passing a wind-turbine blade transport |