This is the river this is the sea

There has been a lot of California to explore lately, although a lot of my time has been spent exploring the gastromical corners of los angeles (dinela adventures to come)

I did happen to explore a part of the desert as part of a Thanksgiving, thanks for nature trip the Saturday after an orphan turkey day feast. I really don't know what has drawn me to the Salton Sea. What makes me want to go to a lake that often smells like sulfur and beaches strewn with fish carcasses. History I guess. It wasn't always like that. It used to be the black sea of california. It once had healing properties, it was once the resort town of hollywood, pre-Palm Springs. I guess I had to see this place for myself. It wasn't at all what I expected and even more ugly beautiful then I imagined.

We set out on a Saturday morning early enough to take the mountain road through Idyllwild, just take a right across from the cabezon dinosaurs. We winded up the side of the mountain and found autumn of all things. We stopped for pictures often of leaves, trees, rocks and valleys. We tried stopping in the little town of idyllwild for lunch, but they were holding a festival, which pushed us to the outskirts. Too bad the town was cute, but it was just as well, because the day was getting away from us due to all the nature photo ops.

And what goes up must come down and i have to say that i did close my eyes for part of it. What would you do if it looked like you were going to drive off the side of a mountain?

To be continued.....