Death Valley Trip - Mosaic Canyon Moonlit Walk

Trip Start Feb 28, 2005
1
21
45
Trip End Ongoing


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Flag of United States  , Nevada,
Monday, March 21, 2005

After another early morning swim and a really good breakfast of fruit, yoghurt and porridge, we took the bus to Mosaic Canyon, which was only 2 or 3 miles away but you can't really walk anywhere because of the heat. We hiked through the narrow canyon that was marble walls at some points, it was so smooth that on the way back down you actually had to sit on it and slide down! Daniel showed us many points where there had been earthquakes and you could actually see where the rocks has been split in two.

At the end of the canyon it opened up a bit more and you could climb to the top, which I didn't do as I am okay at climbing up but not so good at climbing down. I walked back down as was getting a bit claustrophobic, especially when I could hear some jet planes that were really loud and someone said 'that sounds like an earthquake!'. I was followed by some butterflies (the first ones I've seen while I have been away), and sat at the bottom to take in how big everything was. I looked back to where I had just been standing and everyone was so small in comparison. At that point I think I realised that the world is a bloody big place!

We found out that Eric (bus driver no 1) was actually turning 43 next weekend. Everyone was amazed as he only looks about 29. He says it's all the green tea he drinks. I might have to start doing that.

We had some pasta pesto for lunch and made a packed lunch for our dinner as we would be on the road for a while. The plan was to get to Red Rock Park before nightfall but we didn't make it on time, but that was ok as we went for a moonlit walk which was really cool, and a little creepy. I said my good byes to everyone as we got back on the bus as I was getting off at Bakersfield so I could get a bus to Las Vegas. Yalli, Anya and Cesar offered for me to stay with them anytime which was pretty nice. I try to return the offer but tell them I don't know where I'll be living, plus Milton Keynes isn't that great to visit! Abe (the photographer) offered me a lift to LA as the bus was going there anyway before Las Vegas, which I'm glad I took as Bakersfield was not really a nice place to wait for a bus in the middle of the night.

It took about an hour and a half to get to LA (after Abe got a little lost), and he drove me around quickly to show me some sights. He lives in Venice Beach with a male model and is married to a beautiful model. I found at that it had been his birthday that weekend but he didn't tell anyone. I had noticed he got a little drunk, and he told me all the funny things he did that night - like jump in the pool and shout underwater just because he felt like it. He convinced me not to get the bus but to fly as it was a good way to see Las Vegas, so he dropped me off at the airport. By the time I got to Las Vegas it wasn't dark so I didn't get to see the view!
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