+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!
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+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.
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+ Blaise packs as lightly as possible for the trip. This is his first time camping by plane.
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+ Blaise prepares to board the plane in Milwaukee.
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+ Blaise sits in the rental car as they pick it up.
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+ Tyler and Blaise enjoy a wonderful meal at Banana Leaf restaurant in Milpitas.
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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.
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+ Blaise looks across to San Fransisco from the top of Grizzly Peak.
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+Later Sunday Night Jim and Tracy returned from Hawaii.
+It was good for everyone to connect.
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+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.
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+ Big Sur as viewed from the car.
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+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.
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+ Tyler views the ocean from the small beachside cave.
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+ Blaise enjoys the beach.
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+ Sunset at El Capitán.
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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.
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+ Tyler and his uncle Ralph at Ralph's home in Ontario CA.
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+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.
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+ Tyler and Blaise pose in-front of one of the many picturesque valleys of Sequoia.
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+ 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.
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+ The meadow of Holey Meadow.
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+ Tyler and Blaise first arrive at Holey Meadow.
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+ The campsite with both tents and hammock setup.
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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.
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+ Blaise poses in front of the root system of a fallen tree.
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+ Tyler poses in front of a giant tree.
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+ Tyler sits on top of dome rock.
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+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.
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+ The drive to Ridgcrest really felt like desert.
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+ The hotel in Ridgecrest.
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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 above 110 deg F once the pair were done setting up camp.
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+ Tyler and Blaise pose on the Death Valley sign.
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+ The travelers arrive at Mesquite Springs and choose a campsite.
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+ Tyler poses next to his tent at Mesquite Springs.
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+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.
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+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.
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+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.
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+ 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.
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+Next, the pair visited the sand dunes.
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+ Blaise visits the sand dunes.
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+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.
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+ Tyler poses in-front of a rock formation in Titus Canyon.
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+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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+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.
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