The map on the left reflects our planned trip to Virginia. Ellen said, “Let’s go to Cody WY.” So that’s how we got it planned.

We decided to drive through Death Valley (our second time there) to see whether the rains this year helped.

Well, yes and no: There is more green stuff but it’s still Death Valley. The high temperature today was about 98° F…much as it is in Woodland Hills CA where Jorge lives. It was windy too. Still, with all the desert around, it seems even more desolate.

We’re staying at the Stovepipe Wells Hotel in a tiny room with only one chair for Jorge. Ellen sits on the bed. Tickle has no problem with the size of the room, of course. However, she likes to poop on grass. She’ll have to let loose eventually.

Along the way we took a picture of a Stone Faced Woman near Jorge’s home. Unfortunately, the art work had been defaced by vandals. You’ll see the before and after picture here.

Once we hit CA Highway 14 we felt as if we were finally leaving the Los Angeles traffic behind. We stopped to take a picture or two of the California Aquaduct in Apple Valley CA. We didn’t realize how windy it was outside and nearly blew away.

In Palmdale CA, there is a pediatric building that looks as if it half-melted. We had to stop and see it for ourselves. Check out that picture!

For lunch we stopped in Trona CA hoping to find a restaurant we visited before. Alas, it is gone. So, we had some chicken at a local gas station.

Trona is a company town…we think. There’s a big white building and we think that borax is the main product. The homes there dilapidated and many are with boarded up windows. Maybe the workers need better pay?

You’ll find lots of desert pictures today. It is all so beautiful…from a certain perspective.

We visited the Furnace Creek Visitor Center in Death Valley. That’s where our museum pictures came from.

At our hotel, it looks as if Tickle is the boss. Take a look at those two cute pictures of our doggy. Aah!!!