Bring the step ladder, bring the step ladder, bring the freakin' step ladder! That's the mantra I've kept telling myself over and over since our last road trip years ago. Road trips are when you can bring everything plus the kitchen sink, since ya don't have to carry it all with ya. And from previous trips, I've found that what I've really needed much more than a tripod was a step ladder for those scenics and architectural shots where one doesn't have view camera controls for the necessary height and perspective control. So needless to say what particular item I yet again forgot to pack...
Anyway, Uncle Amex could only afford us a rental for three nights/four days last weekend; the plan was to head south and hit Sequoia National Park (always wanted to see those big mothers since I saw the HUMONGOUS cross section of one displayed in The Museum of Natural History since I was but a wee lad) and then swing back home via Death Valley. We arrived at the former around five late afternoon, and it was not quite what we expected. It wasn't a magical forest of unbelievably huge and majestic grand Sequoias, rather a large forest with what appeared to be a few sprinkling of said trees. To get to General Sherman (the BIGGEST tree in the world), we would have to park the car, stand on line, then jump on a bus to see him. Considering the time, we forgoed that option since we still had to secure a motel somewhere in the general vicinity; we would return the following day. Winding our way out of the park, it took what seemed forever going up and down endlessly curving mountain roads that increasingly devolved from scenic opportunities to repetitive stress related syndrome. Halfway outta the park we realized we would not have the time to return the next day, and seriously wondered if it was worth the effort even if we did. Redwood National Park is a truly magical place with its own wondrous aura, Sequoia National Park on the other hand... to be honest we didn't give it a fair shake, but...
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| Outside the Mad Greek's Cafe @ Baker, CA- "Gateway To Death Valley;" Photo: © S. Banos |
So on we went to Death Valley where we had made a night's reservation at the "world famous" Amargosa Opera House and Hotel. The aforementioned has quite the fascinating history, having been purchased by NYC ballerina Marta Becket in 1968, where she continued to live and give solo performances (she just celebrated her 90th birthday there) in the middle of the desert. It is also said to be haunted. Love the place: stark, desolate, dilapidated- literally in the middle of nowhere. A place I really feel at home in...
Next day, we formally entered Death Valley National Park, first stop was Zabriskie Point, where if it wasn't for the locale, one would swear was somewhere mid Europe- the only languages heard: German, French and a smattering of Italian. While there, we were treated to a mid morning summer storm- complete with lightning, thunder, dramatic skies and flash flooding... Quite the once in a lifetime treat, but try as I might (and I most certainly did), could not get the requisite lightning enhanced landscape shot. Didn't need the step ladder either...
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| Barstow, CA; Photo: © S. Banos |
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