2003 October Pictures
October 03-05, 2003. On the way to Yosemite National Park we stopped in Goldfield, Nevada (population 225). Painted on the side of a saloon was a sign warning people not to drink water, implying that it could be dangerous to your health. Located in the adjacent lot were two "art cars" that were apparently build by someone that drank the water. (See RonnieAdventures October 27, 2017, Blog #0279, for additional information on Goldfield.)
Also located in Tonopah is the Central Nevada Museum, containing old buildings and historic artifacts, including an experimental WW II flying bomb, a nice rock collection, and wildflowers.
Mono Lake in California was formed about 700,000 years ago, but begin to decrease in size in 1913 when the City of Las Angeles started diverting fresh water from the streams flowing into the lake for their use. By 1990 the lake level had dropped 45 vertical feet and it was then discovered that there were Tufa towers at the bottom of the lake. There have been numerous legal actions concerning water rights in the area and for now the lake level has stabilized with some of the Tufa towers exposed above the lake's water level. (See RopnnieAdventures July 15, 2016, Blog #0212, for additional information on Mono Lake.)
A drive over Tioga Pass is always a nice trip, but the splendors of fall colors mixed with the mountains and lakes was especially beautiful. Yosemite National Park and the Mariposa Giant Sequoia Grove are some of my favorite places visit. (See RonnieAdventures July 8, 2016, Blog #0211; and April 1, 2022, Blog #0510; and April 8, 2022, Blog #0511; for additional information on Yosemite NP and Mariposa Grove.)
October 18, 2003. We decided to hike up to Angle's Landing in Zion National Park, so one night we stayed in the Zion NP cabins and then started our hike at sunrise. The trail follows the Virgin River for a short distance and then turns into switchbacks that ascend the steep cliffs. The trail is only a few feet wide at the top of the cliffs, with vertical drops on both sided of the trail. Thankfully, the Park Service has installed chains to hold onto in the narrow places. Although no records are kept, it is estimated that about 20 people have lost their grip on the chains and fallen to death.
Before going home, we drove up to Kolob Reservoir to view the fall colors.
Las Vegas has a lot of buffets, but only St. George has a "New York Style Chinese Buffet." By the way, what is a "New York Style Chinese Buffet?"
October 19, 2003. It was a mild fall and our yard flowers were still blooming.
October 29, 2003. At our October Cub Scout Pack Meeting, we were surprised when an astronaut and three assistants arrived to give out awards. Unfortunately, my digital camera started taking bad pictures, so I had to send it back to the factory for repairs. The digital camera I had at this time was rather bulky because it recorded digital pictures directly to a CD. The design seemed like a good idea at the time, but this technology was short lived.
October 31, 2003. Laurie and Kathryn were visiting, so we drove over to California and toured Dumont Dunes, Tecopa, and China Ranch.
