The geography that exists between Bakersfield California east to the Arizona border sets the stage for my favorite stretch of this trip. As you come down from the Tehachapi pass, you start the slow assent to the Colorado plateau that makes possible the Grand Canyon and the next 900 miles of your experience. I noted in 2008 that you have to ‘disavow yourself of everything you think a desert should be’. This is high desert and everything is bigger. The winds are stronger, the air is both hotter and colder than seems possible. But the best are the thunderstorms and the desert did not disappoint today.
Tag Archives: terrified
Day One – Delano, CA
Today marks the start of my 4th presidential election year cross country wandering. When combined with 2 midterm excursions, it should all be pretty familiar at this point. Hmmm, no. So unexpected this combination of anticipation, acceptance and belief. Remarkable. Today was hot driving toward Delano to visit Our Lady of Guadalupe. Like 109 hot. But the heat and the engine light that went off just as I rolled my first 200 miles could not dent this feeling. Maybe it was Derrick working around the clock to get my webpage up, David and Jessica helping me with my flag, Steve stashing a bag of road treats in the rental car made everything feel (exhale) OK. And right now, OK is lovely.