From 6fa3d6d03c4f0731cf388166bacebbf2e062fd1c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Blaise Thompson Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2021 16:42:51 -0500 Subject: refactor with actual building --- memories/tyler-and-blaise-california/index.md | 349 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 349 insertions(+) create mode 100644 memories/tyler-and-blaise-california/index.md (limited to 'memories/tyler-and-blaise-california/index.md') diff --git a/memories/tyler-and-blaise-california/index.md b/memories/tyler-and-blaise-california/index.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cdb37b9 --- /dev/null +++ b/memories/tyler-and-blaise-california/index.md @@ -0,0 +1,349 @@ +title: Tyler and Blaise visit California +start: 2021-05-29 +end: 2021-06-05 + +

+Tyler and Blaise used the Memorial Day holiday as an excuse to take off work for a week and explore California. +This vacation was especially special coming off of COVID-19. +The timing was perfect and both travelers greatly enjoyed their vacation! +

+ +
+

2021-05-29 Saturday

+ +

+Saturday both Tyler and Blaise traveled to San Fransisco, rented a car, and made their way to Jim and Tracy's house. +All the flights were packed and masks were required everywhere. +Still, signs of COVID restrictions being lifted were everywhere during the trip. +

+ +
+ + Blaise packs as lightly as possible for the trip. This is his first time camping by plane. +
+ +
+ + Blaise prepares to board the plane in Milwaukee. +
+ +
+ + Blaise sits in the rental car as they pick it up. +
+ +
+ + Tyler and Blaise enjoy a wonderful meal at Banana Leaf restaurant in Milpitas. +
+ +
+

2021-05-30 Sunday

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+On Sunday Tyler and Blaise visited Claire Till & Family in Napa. +Afterwards they traveled to San Ramon, where Tyler lived until middle school. +The sunset was wonderful passing over Grizzly Peak on the way back to Jim and Tracy's house. +

+ +
+ + Blaise looks across to San Fransisco from the top of Grizzly Peak. +
+ +

+Later Sunday Night Jim and Tracy returned from Hawaii. +It was good for everyone to connect. +

+ +
+

2021-05-31 Monday

+ +

+On Monday Tyler and Blaise traveled to their first campsite: El Capitán State Beach. +They drove down along Highway 1, experiencing the majesty of Big Sur. +It's absolutely incredible how many miles of unspoiled coastal road there are. +It was a little bit foggy, but still stunning. +

+ +
+ + Big Sur as viewed from the car. +
+ +

+The El Capitán campsite was great. +Very private and a great location close to the beach. +The only regret was showing up to late---by the time Tyler and Blaise explored the beach it was already dark and setting up camp was challenging. +Tyler slept in the car since they needed to leave very early the next day. +

+ +
+ + Tyler views the ocean from the small beachside cave. +
+ +
+ + Blaise enjoys the beach. +
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+ + Sunset at El Capitán. +
+ +
+

2021-06-01 Tuesday

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+On Tuesday Tyler and Blaise woke up very early, with much travel to do. +The pair first drove to Ontario CA, where Tyler's father lived. +They met with Tyler's uncle Ralph and family for several hours. +

+ +
+ + Tyler and his uncle Ralph at Ralph's home in Ontario CA. +
+ +

+After leaving Ralph's house around 13:00, Tyler and Blaise headed to their second campsite in the Sequoia National Forest. +It was another stunning drive through the valley and up into the hills. +Cows sometimes stood on the road. +

+ +
+ + Tyler and Blaise pose in-front of one of the many picturesque valleys of Sequoia. +
+ +
+ + Cows block the highway at sequoia national forest. +
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+Finally, with time to spare, Tyler and Blaise arrived at their second campsite: Holey Meadows. +There was no running water, but the site was quiet and gave the pair a real forest experience. +
+ +
+ + The meadow of Holey Meadow. +
+ +
+ + Tyler and Blaise first arrive at Holey Meadow. +
+ +
+ + The campsite with both tents and hammock setup. +
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+

2021-06-02 Wednesday

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+On Wednesday Tyler and Blaise were able to sleep in and have an easy morning. +Once packed, they made their way to the Trail of 100 Giants, a famous destination in the area. +As promised, the trees were huge. +The pair visited Dome Rock (not the famous one) on the way out of the park. +

+ +
+ + Blaise poses in front of the root system of a fallen tree. +
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+ + Tyler poses in front of a giant tree. +
+ +
+ + Tyler sits on top of dome rock. +
+ +

+Leaving Sequoia, Tyler and Blaise traveled to a hotel in Ridgecrest CA for the night. +East of Sequoia felt like the beginning of real desert. +Ridgecrest is a funny little town, and the pair were able to get supplies at WalMart and a meal at Denny's. +The hotel was a little sketchy, including a painted-over sign. +

+ +
+ + The drive to Ridgcrest really felt like desert. +
+ +
+ + The hotel in Ridgecrest. +
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+

2021-06-03 Thursday

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+Waking up early, Tyler and Blaise head to Death Valley---their final destination. +Checking the internet one last time gave warnings of extreme summer heat. +The pair chose to camp at a somewhat remote campsite with a slightly higher elevation: Mesquite Springs. +They drove directly to the site and set up. +Amazingly, they ended up having the entire campsite to themselves! +It was windy and 113 deg F once the pair were done setting up camp. +Luckily the wind never returned. +

+ +
+ + Tyler and Blaise pose on the Death Valley sign. +
+ +
+ + The travelers arrive at Mesquite Springs and choose a campsite. +
+ +
+ + Tyler poses next to his tent at Mesquite Springs. +
+ +

+Tyler and Blaise visited the welcome center and came up with a plan for their two days in the park. +They spent the rest of Thursday visiting Dante's View and Badwater Basin. +

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+ + Blaise poses on Dante's Peak. +
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+ + Tyler views Badwater Basin from Dante's peak. +
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+ + The water of Badwater Basin. +
+ +

+Returning to the campsite, Tyler and Blaise were able to enjoy showers using the campsite hose (a huge luxury in Death Valley!) and a wonderful desert sunset. +

+ +
+ + Sunset at Mesquite Springs. +
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+

2021-06-04 Friday

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+At around 4 AM Friday morning Blaise saw a lightning storm in the distance. +There was no rain, as far as he could tell. +

+ +

+The campers woke up at sunrise Friday morning for their second day in Death Valley. +They needed to be on the trail early to do some hiking before the heat of the day. +Their first destination was Ubehebe Crater. +

+ +
+ + Sunrise at Mesquite Springs. +
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+ + Ubehebe Crater. +
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+ + A caution sign along the edge of Ubehebe Crater. +
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+ + Tyler poses at the edge of Ubehebe Crater. +
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+ + A smaller crater nearby. +
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+ + A smaller crater nearby. +
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+ + Blaise walks along the edge of Ubehebe Crater. +
+ +

+Next, the pair visited the sand dunes. +

+ +
+ + Blaise visits the sand dunes. +
+ +

+Finally, Tyler and Blaise drive through Titus Canyon. +Along the way they visit the small town of Beatty NV for cocktails. +Titus was surprisingly wonderful and definitely worth it despite the rough driving conditions. +

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+ + Tyler poses next to the car at the entrance to Titus Canyon. +
+ +
+ + Tyler poses in-front of a rock formation in Titus Canyon. +
+ +

+A family from France were the only other campers Friday night. +They stayed in a rented "Minnie Winnie" camper. +With no clouds in the sky, the stars were absolutely amazing at the campsite. +It was a fitting end to a wonderful trip in CA. +

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+

2021-06-05 Saturday

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+Tyler and Blaise woke up early to put down camp and drive to Las Vegas to catch our flights. +Even though masks weren't being worn in most places, signs of COVID were still to be found. +The gambling machines at the Vegas airport were socially distanced. +

+ +
+ + Socially distance gambling machines. +
+ +

+In total the travelers drove 1806 miles. +In total Blaise spent $1,565.97 on this vacation, not including durable supplies that will be used again. +

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+CC0: no copyright +

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