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2020/10/30 Road trip to Dallas via Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas National Parks plus Oklahoma City
π 2020-10-30 01:01 in Ntrips, Trips
Arturo had planned a south trip to escape boredom at home, and nicely invited us to join him. We ended up settling on going to Oklahoma before turning around, and Jennifer and I would go to Dallas to see her parents, while Arturo would return via the south route and we'd use a similar route 5-6 days later after our Dallas visit.

Jennifer thought about using a campervan, which technically seat and sleeps 3, but realistically it's not super comfortable with 3 people in the front, and the 3rd person supposed to sleep on the top would have been a tight fit with the luggage we put there. Luckily Arturo was happy to sleep in his tent, so we used the top for storage (which we ended up needing):

color and decals are not pretty, but oh well
color and decals are not pretty, but oh well

plus side was a fridge, microwave and reasonable kitchen storage (the expresso machine was ours :) )
plus side was a fridge, microwave and reasonable kitchen storage (the expresso machine was ours :) )


The electrical system was interesting, it had a big solar panel that would sustain the fridge forever, but the 120V system only worked if you were plugged in 120V power. As a result, no microwave or expresso unless you were at an RV camp site. I however fixed that with some hacking, you can read more about our Kuga Campervan, here

and we were ready for the trip...

Day 00: 8H drive to Kelso Dunes

The trip started with a long drive to Kelso Dunes. We left around 09:00 and stopped at Harris Ranch for some reasonable beef (fine to stop, but not special enough to go there just for that). We ordered takeout and found outside tables:


During the drive, we noticed that Mohave spaceport had lots of planes parked, probably a good amount of 737 Max that have been grounded:


lots of trains on the way
lots of trains on the way

And finally we made it to Kelso Dunes just around sunset:




Interestingly, there was a small burning man gathering there:




Day 01: Kelso Dunes to Sedona

We got up with sunrise, and went to climb the dunes:


we wondered what would fit in there
we wondered what would fit in there





We then drove towards Sedona. We did the Thumb Butte Trail in Prescott. Nothing to write home about, but a nice stop. We did a sunset hike:







Day 02: Sedona: Montezuma Castle, Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park, Red Rocks, Sedona Airport Viewpoints, Secret Mountain Brins Mesa Hike, Upper Downtown Sedona

Sedona had lots to do and see, but outside of what was closed due to covid, we got to see the highlights. We started with Montezuma Castle which opened at 08:00. Natives (before the American Indians) lived there with ladders between the levels, and the current thinking is that they were wiped out by the apache american indians (although it could also have been the spanish):



lovely woodpecker
lovely woodpecker


multiple birds enjoying the berries in the trees
multiple birds enjoying the berries in the trees

Then, we went to the Red Rocks visitor center:






Nearby, the chapel of the holy cross in the rocks, is definitely unique:





Great views from there:






After that, we went to the Buddhist Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park:





The Airport Lookout had great views:




Arturo then found a hike at Secret mountain Brins Mesa:



lovely colored clouds
lovely colored clouds

We then had a bit of time in Upper Downtown Sedona and went back to the airport viewpoint for sunset:







And that was it for our day in Sedona.

Day 03: Arizona Meteor Crater Natural Landmark & Petrified Forest NP

Day #3 was a long drive to Albuquerque, so we broke it down by stopping by Meteor Crater Natural Landmark which is the best preserved crater in the US.






early scientists dug tunnels to try and find the burried meteorite, but in fact it was pulverized by the impact
early scientists dug tunnels to try and find the burried meteorite, but in fact it was pulverized by the impact

Next was Petrified Forest NP which was quite impressive:






lovely colorful lizard
lovely colorful lizard









The area also had beautiful hills and colors:




Soo nice...
Soo nice...






They even had petroglyphs:



After a few more viewpoints, we left the park a bit early to get to ABQ. Great park, we could have spent more time there:


Day 04-05: Texas Palo Duro Canyon State Park

After AZ, we drove through New Mexico quickly (which didn't want tourists because of covid), we reached Texas where we spent 2 half days in Texas Palo Duro Canyon State Park:


Cadillac Ranch on the side of route 66 was a fun stop:





Welcome to texas:


Then we finally arrived at Texas Palo Duro Canyon State Park, the local little grand canyon:





We had a bit less than 2H for a hike on lighthouse trail, so we went for it:






we then free climbed the adjacent peak:
we then free climbed the adjacent peak:

it was not a tall climb, but it was technical
it was not a tall climb, but it was technical

we then raced daylight back to the car
we then raced daylight back to the car



We then slept in our campervan and went for another hike the next morning (which in hindsight, was redundant with the one from the previous day):



the rocks had salt in them
the rocks had salt in them





With the sun coming out, snakes started getting out. First a small one that went away and let us pass. Later a rattlesnake that got pissed off and didn't leave the trail. We had to find a complicated path around it as it was guarding a bridge that crossed a small ravine:




After getting back to the parking lot, it was time to drive to Oklahoma City with a few stops along route 66:





my cross is bigger than yours!
my cross is bigger than yours!

another route 66 stop:





Day 06-07: Oklahoma City

The last stop of trip was Oklahoma City, which had some nice museums, including the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum to recount the federal building bombing that happened in 1995 and honor the dead. This is what we did on the first day:







We then had a quick drive through town to the National Cowboy Western Museum:




The National Cowboy Western Museum was quite good (see page):


Next was the OKC science museum which was better than expected (see page):


By 17:00, the day was over (all museums closed), so we drove by the infantry museum just next door and saw a few things through the fence:




And we arrived just in time at the Centennial Land Run Monument at sunset. Awesome!









The next morning we went to the Museum of Osteology (see post):


After that, it was time to drive to Texas and end our trip in Dallas. We then parted ways with Arturo who continued the trip back home, while we went to see Jennifer's parents:

The trip continued 6 days later, back to california through southern states, read up here

2020/10/19 Mt Hermon Redwood Canopy Tour and Henry Cowell Redwoods
π 2020-10-19 01:01 in Hiking
It had been a long time since I had Mt Hermon Redwood Canopy Tour:



We got a quick tour to use the safety equipment:

Then we went for the course, taking the hardest elements:




After the tree course, we went to the nearby Henry Cowell Redwoods state park. The plan was to have lunch and go swim in the garden of eden, but we ended up going for a "quick hike", that took a few hours due to terrain and maps that didn't match reality:


there is a redwoods steam train, we took its bridge across the river
there is a redwoods steam train, we took its bridge across the river

we then walked down to the river for lunch
we then walked down to the river for lunch

I guess scouts go and practise in the area
I guess scouts go and practise in the area

the trail maps was incomplete and at times, just a suggestion
the trail maps was incomplete and at times, just a suggestion

We got to the river a few times, and did a dicey river crossing that was not indicated on the map:


the river had crayfish
the river had crayfish



We then had to hike up to the train tracks, which turned out to be th trail:



After way longer than planned, we finally got to garden of eden, although by then it was a bit late and cold to go in the water:


So, we hiked out and had a nice drive back through hwy9 and bear creek road, with sunset on the way:





2020/10/14 Biking Los Altos Hills
π 2020-10-14 01:01 in Exercising
Jennifer and I went for a bike ride that was a bit more involved, this time the lock we went to discover was far Los Altos Hills between the freeway and the hills. Lots of up and downs... (actually my GPS said we only did 24 miles in 7h, but we went up 3000ft)

We started by Rancho San Antonio:



a bunch of few turkeys
a bunch of few turkeys

looking for prey
looking for prey

nice colors
nice colors




The hills are hilly, lots of up biking (or walking), with views:




For reasons unknown, we found petrified trees on the side of the road:





More nice views:



Once we got to the top of Olive Tree Lane, where I thought from the map, we could connect to Chamise Trail, but no, the residents put a gate to stop people from going to a public road to a public trail. I had to find a pretty painful way around the fence, through the brush:


took 15mn to get around
took 15mn to get around

this doesn't show how filled with dirt and leaves, I got
this doesn't show how filled with dirt and leaves, I got

We then exited the park towards Los Altos Hills and a nice little private lake they don't like to share with others :)




More houses:




rich kids get their own private playground
rich kids get their own private playground

deer in your backyard (both good and bad)
deer in your backyard (both good and bad)

you can camp in your own yard
you can camp in your own yard

toy car
toy car


Another connecting path:


nice view of the private lake
nice view of the private lake


we then took another connecting path to another path along 280, and back out to civilization
we then took another connecting path to another path along 280, and back out to civilization

See more images for Biking Los Altos Hills
2020/10/11 Slope Soaring at Los Banos Creek Reservoir with Arnaud
π 2020-10-11 01:01 in Rc
Arnaud invited me to join him for RC flying at Los Banos for slope soaring. Apparently, there is nothing closer for electric RC planes (they are banned in the East Bay on Coyote Hills and the mission peak launch site). According to this page, non motorized RC is allowed in Coyote Hills Regional Park and Mission Peak Regional Preserve in Fremont, and Del Valle Regional Park in Livermore.

It was definitely interesting to try ridge lift. With the right wind, I was able to fly one of my planes without any power.

hwy 5
hwy 5




I brought a few toys, including motor gliders I got for cheap:




Arnaud had bigger toys:





next size up
next size up





Arnaud had dolly for ground takeoffs:




This was a maiden (for me) of an old wooden glider I turned into a motor glider (was difficult actually). I just slapped a camera on top to record the result. The soaring was fine, unfortunately the air brakes didn't work well and caused the plane to stall and crash on landing (the aircraft was not trimmed for its first flight, which is why the nose went up and down a lot until I got that fixed).

I finished the day with my fully decked Sky Eye FPV plane to survey the area, and fly to hwy 5 and one of the canals used to water crops along hwy 5.

This was fun, although I'd love to find a closer place. A few places to check out: - https://www.google.com/maps/@37.4134084,-121.7871644,3a,75y,210.47h,52.12t/data=!3m9!1e1!3m7!1sYevkhkfAKEaiPFvwgGI02Q!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!9m2!1b1!2i56!5m1!1e4 - https://www.google.com/maps/@37.4145538,-121.8269601,3a,15y,233.87h,82.87t/data=!3m10!1e1!3m8!1sAF1QipPpMzTnlYMksnrJHmo80mxUXCtGS2diI91MAzE1!2e10!3e11!7i11000!8i5500!9m2!1b1!2i58 - https://www.google.com/maps/@37.4138967,-121.8267591,3a,75y,304.87h,88.99t/data=!3m10!1e1!3m8!1sAF1QipPcynTa7tunedeysk8SkMg-3mSkgS31P5bNTIpg!2e10!3e11!7i11000!8i5500!9m2!1b1!2i58 - https://www.google.com/maps/@37.4135718,-121.826594,3a,75y,256.37h,90.8t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sAF1QipOVrHSbwEn-v3Dp_99t0PhuQdcqIVjsD_KoyN9l!2e10!3e11!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipOVrHSbwEn-v3Dp_99t0PhuQdcqIVjsD_KoyN9l%3Dw203-h100-k-no-pi-2.21509-ya270.38135-ro0.111932315-fo100!7i11000!8i5500

2020/10/02 Hiking Thunder Mountain at Kirkwood
π 2020-10-02 01:01 in Hiking, Nsnow, Ntrips, Snow, Trips
To finish our trip through Utah and Nevada, we drove through Kirkwood to see it during the summer:

never seen the area outside of the snow season, pretty trees
never seen the area outside of the snow season, pretty trees


I've only ever seen caples lake when it was frozen
I've only ever seen caples lake when it was frozen

Then, we went to check out kirkwood. This must have been the lowest snow coverage day I've seen at kirkwood :)



the wall
the wall

which button do I push? :)
which button do I push? :)

it was fun to see the magic carpets. They can be raised as the snow level goes higher
it was fun to see the magic carpets. They can be raised as the snow level goes higher

the 'temporary' lodges
the 'temporary' lodges

still stocked
still stocked

After going around KW a bit, we went around Carson Spur:

avanlache prevention gates and avalanche triggering devices when the road needs to be cleaned
avanlache prevention gates and avalanche triggering devices when the road needs to be cleaned

After parking the car, we hiked up from Carson Spur to Thunder Mountain, and back down to Silver Lake/Kit Carson. It was a pretty easy hike up to Thunder Mountain with great views of kirkwood, Caples Lake, top of Cornice lift, and Silver Lake.

nice to see the avalanche gates from so close
nice to see the avalanche gates from so close


these trigger the slides for avalanche safety on Carson Spur
these trigger the slides for avalanche safety on Carson Spur



the smaller kirkwood lake
the smaller kirkwood lake

multiple big volcanic rocks
multiple big volcanic rocks




damn, I never hiked that far with my snowboard :)
damn, I never hiked that far with my snowboard :)

getting closer to sentinel bowl/cornice lift
getting closer to sentinel bowl/cornice lift



nice view of silver lake
nice view of silver lake


We split off with Arturo, he went back to the car, and we continued the other way towards cornice and silver lake:


looks a bit rocky, probably not a big deal that I forgot to bring my snowboard
looks a bit rocky, probably not a big deal that I forgot to bring my snowboard

a sign frozen in time, left as is on the wretched day of March 14th when they closed
a sign frozen in time, left as is on the wretched day of March 14th when they closed


path to sentinel bowl
path to sentinel bowl

woohoo, I'm a lift operator now :)
woohoo, I'm a lift operator now :)

never went down this way, but it was the way back to our path
never went down this way, but it was the way back to our path



kit carson
kit carson

From there, Arturo met us on the road, and we drove home to end our 11 day trip.

2020/10/01 Ely Nevada Northern Railway Museum
π 2020-10-01 01:01 in Sciencemuseums
While on US-50, the loniest road in america, we stopped at the star attraction (the remaining ones were really B or C), the Ely Nevada Northern Railway Museum. It is in no way one of the best train museums I've seen (especially after SCMAGLEV and Railway Park south of Nagoya, or the one in York), but it was still an enjoyable stop. Those trains used to go to a nearby copper mine, from steam to diesel-electric:










found a lovely little kitten
found a lovely little kitten

once a day during that time of the season, a train takes passengers to the mine
once a day during that time of the season, a train takes passengers to the mine

And that was it for Ely Nevada Northern Railway Museum, it was time to get back on the road...


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