July & August 2017
A new grandson born in July in California was the excuse for a six-day cross-country drive through States of Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico (only a tiny corner), Arizona, Nevada (the southern corner), and ending near Los Angeles. My companion on the drive: our long-haired dachshund, Suki. After five days with the California daughter and family, my wife and I (she had flown out earlier) drove back, taking the speedy route on I-15, 70, 76, 80, and then state roads up to Minneapolis from Grand Island, Nebraska -- in four days.
Silos are seen everywhere across Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas.
Less frequent, but always more imposing, ethanol refineries.
A Nebraska Junk Yard: Farm Equipment
Religious billboards and Anti-abortion billboards were seen frequently, but rarely in close proximity as here
A High Dynamic Range photograph In Oakley, Kansas, this large (15' tall or so) statue of Buffalo Bill and prey. This has special poignancy not only because Buffalo Bill Cody was related to me by marriage,* but also because my great grandfather Jackson's best friend, William Temple Hornaday, was instrumental in saving the bison from extinction. * - 4th great grandnephew of my 9th great aunt's husband.
Sharon Springs, Kansas Aside from the fact it seemed to be the only decent restaurant within a reasonable drive, how could I resist a restaurant named "Stephens"? Since dog Suki was in the car, and the day was sunny and hot, I asked them to make a BLT to go, which was yummy, with thick-cut bacon, and homemade chips. Stephens had a wait staff of three, and they were three generations of women, from a teenager up to a gal in her 50s, I'd say. It seemed to be the sole restaurant servicing the small town of Sharon Springs, Kansas. I wondered if any of the three ever got to see the world beyond their northwest Kansas neighborhood. "Everything's up to date in Kansas City, ...."
Mesa Verde Hidden Dwelling The road passed right by the entrance to Mesa Verde National Park, and since I had gotten an early start on the day's drive, I elected to drive in. Unfortunately, the main attraction is not open to dogs, so I drove to a backup set of ruins where dogs were allowed on the trail. However, the trail was a mile round-trip. Between Suki's short legs (she's a long-haired Dachshund), the heat and lack of water, I elected not to try that hike, either. On the drive out, however, on a whim I pulled over at the McElmo Canyon Overlook. On the far wall I thought I could detect some kind of structure built under an overhang. As the following photos show, I was correct.
On the route just past Mesa Verde is the Ute Mountain Casino. I suppose it's a destination for some, but equally likely it lures Anglos bored with the long drive on U.S. 160 from Durango, Colorado, to Arizona.
The entrance to Four Corners Monument. It's on Navajo land, and they take advantage by charging $5/person for entry. No dogs (I left Suki in the car with the air conditioning running), and, well, read the sign ....
There was a line to stand on the medallion, and a raised platform from which to take photos.
Colorado on the far side, Utah to the left, New Mexico to the right, and Arizona nearest below.
Biker Selfie
Grand Canyon -- An HDR photo
An HDR photo
An HDR panorama
An HDR photo
Where to Stay in Needles -- I'm kidding. Besides, it's closed, and it looks like for a long time.
Needles Haute Cuisine -- Not many choices in Needles, California, other than a string of fast food joints.
The San Rafael Swell -- Look it up (click on the photo). A drive through parched, stark landscapes with fascinating geology. We stopped at a number of viewpoints and rest areas. (This is the first of a minimal number of photos taken on the return drive, all of them in the San Rafael Swell.
The San Rafael Swell -- In color, the photo is rather "blah"; but in B&W, ...!
Eastern edge of the San Rafael Swell
An HDR photo. The road from the heights of the San Rafael Swell down through Spotted Wolf Canyon, opening up into the badlands beyond.