Monday, September 12, 2016

9-11-2016 Pinnacles National Park, California

The rock formations in Pinnacles National Park were created by volcanic eruptions 23 million years ago.  Over time the freeze-thaw cycle and plant roots caused large chunks of rock to break off and fall to the valleys, many of them piling up and creating canyons and caves which we hiked through today.






As we drove to and from the park, we passed through areas of chaparral, arid brown hills with sparse but striking vegetation.







We drove through the Salinas valley, "salad bowl of the U.S," and backdrop for some of John Steinbeck's novels.


The National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, Steinbeck's hometown, has the camper on display that he rode, and wrote, across the country with his dog, Charley.


TRAVEL TEASE:  Half Dome

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Location: Pinnacles National Park, California

4 comments:

  1. JaneSeptember 12, 2016 at 6:51 PM

    Thanks again for the splendid photos. Looking at the gray building in that landscape, I think about how it would feel to live in such a place that looks so spare and even desolate. It must take a lot of character--or desperation.

    I'm also impressed that you guys are hiking in those canyons and caves. That terrain looks steep and scary (you can tell what a wuss I am). I'm happy enough just appreciating the pictures and marveling at your daring.

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    Replies
    1. Jim and AnneSeptember 18, 2016 at 11:28 AM

      Up close and personal the terrain is even steeper and scarier than it looks; but it's also soul-lifting.

      Delete
  2. UnknownSeptember 14, 2016 at 4:56 AM

    WOW! I'm just getting caught up on your blog posts. Thanks for taking us along on this amazing journey.

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