November 9 & 10, 2017
Thursday afternoon I pulled into a quiet Kelso Dunes camp area about 10 miles off I40 in Mojave National Preserve. One SUV parked under the “big” (read only) trees taller than 8-10 feet, two people hanging out in the shade. They took photos at sunset and were gone. A family walked out a little ways on the sand laughing and playing and then left.
Time change upon entering California, something we don’t do in Arizona. Sunset before 5pm. Did seem weird to go to bed at 8pm the first night (Thursday) but I’ve changed the clocks and watch and will adjust.
Last light made the dunes look like folded satin.
I had the night to myself with the distant call of coyotes but I didn’t hear the dunes sing. I’ve heard if you slide down them under the right conditions they do “sing”.
Yet bird song was prevalent at first light flitting in and out of the creosote bush near my window. All the photos I took are terrible through a dirty window.
Cell signal was rather in and out. I tried to share the day’s Foto Friday Fun post on Facebook without luck.
Two vehicles and a pair of walkers rushed in briefly for sunrise light. Which frankly I wasn’t all that impressed with in a cloudless sky. Slowly the temperature rose and the sun’s warmth felt divine in an almost soundless desert. The brilliant blue light gave the dunes an almost flat look.
I don’t walk into the dunes. I prefer to look at them from afar. Besides not liking sand in my shoes it’s too much work slogging through the soft terrain. I sat outside in the warm sunshine reading.
Day trippers who had overshot the parking along the Kelso Dunes Road came in, some more cautiously than others on the possibly soft sand. They don’t stay long.
But it’s Friday on a three-day holiday weekend. Around noon the peace is broken when three huge 5th-wheels parked in a circle around the big shade trees. And ran a generator all day. Oh Joy! Plus played really excessively loud music for over an hour. Why can’t they leave the noise behind? Hang on for a noisy weekend.
The cloudy sunset reminded me of a Van Gogh painting. Yet provided no light on the dunes.
Up in time for a flash of colorful sunrise.
And morning light gave the dunes a different pattern of shadows.
Then time to roll as I made my way towards Lone Pine to meet a friend with a one night stop along the way at Fossil Falls.
Sounds like a good place to stop. The dune reminds me of the one here in France which is the highest sand dune in Europe The Dune of Pilat. We did climb that one but it is very hard work!!
Stay safe and enjoy Diane
My hat is off to you for climbing the dune.
I so wanted to visit the Preserve as we circle around this area. I want to do the hike with the rings. But there is no where to park without driving at least part of a dirt road which we don’t do in the MH. I looked on all sides of the park and couldn’t find a park without at least a 60 mile drive. One day!! Thanks for sharing so many beautiful photos:)
That gravel road to Hole in the Rock camp was pretty brutal when Bill and I went there a couple years ago. And there is a whole lot of nothing around the Preserve.
I too do not understand the massive 5th wheel, with it’s loud music, parties and big screen when camping. They do serve a purpose for the full-timer, not so much for the weekender that wants to relax in the dunes. Hope they don’t unload motorcycles too. Enjoy Fossil Falls – I always do 🙂 If your friend has 4×4 there is a nice overlook above Little Lake, go east to the power lines and follow them south.
Damn city folks think they need to bring all their shit with them. Only one night by Fossil Falls this trip. No 4×4. Thanks for recommending that site.
I love your photos of the dunes and the seemingly perfect creased fold at the top. Beautiful. Have you been to White Dune’s National Park? It is a very special place, we loved it, and your dune photos brought the park to my mind. Only, of course, the dues are white. 🙂
Continued safe travels, Gaelyn.
Thanks Patti. I have not made it to the white dunes, yet.