Eight Days, Five States, and a Wedding

The Southwestern United States
December 26, 2001 - January 2, 2002

A trip with the Lyons ladies (Karen and her mom Joetta) to reach a wedding in Denver and to take in some sights along the way.

December 26th. We started our drive in Lompoc, California and ended up for the night in Kingman City, Arizona. Highlights of the day were following a bit of the historic Route 66 in Barstow and viewing London Bridge in the evening lights of Lake Havasu City.

Meteor Crater

December 27th. We had plenty of highlights this day—the Meteor Crater, Petrified Forest National Park, the Navajo Nation, the Four Corners, a far off view of Monument Valley and Ship Rock, and dinner at La Placita in downtown Albuquerque where they have a tree growing from the inside up through the roof. We spent the night somewhere east of Albuquerque on I-40.

Petrified Wood at Petrified Forest National Park

The Four Corners of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah

A distant view of Ship Rock

A Look Around Donner Peak

Near Truckee, California
August 3, 2002

Unfortunately, I did not take full (or even part) advantage of all the outdoor opportunities that were available to me when I lived in Truckee. I hiked to the top of Donner Peak only once and that was in summer (when a snowshoe hike in winter is the best time to do it). However, Donner Peak will always be the place where I took my first panoramic photograph. It's quite a view with Donner Lake as the book ends of this 360 degree view.

Rainbow Bridge on Donner Pass Road (old US Route 40)

Donner Lake

Donner Peak as viewed from the Pacific Crest Trail