Naval Base, Navel Oranges, Fuzzy Navel. Out of the almost barren desert of Death Valley came Joshua trees galore. I doubt as many or as large as Joshua Tree National Park to the south, but I'll not know for sure unless I go there too
Water in the desert. A lake that must get a lot of use. The lake bed was far below where it looks like it's supposed to be.
The river to Bakersfield was raging. The rocks rapids were amazing and the fall foliage was glistening.
After the curvy roads out of the canyon, the land got barren. Short grass only...except for the local crop. Oranges.
Man were they green. There were so many beehives around to pollinate the fruit.
There was a weird haze on the horizon. After the oranges there a lot of oil drills.
The roadside was full of palms and whatever crops.
I thought the haze was from the soil being upturned for planting. This being that this area has more than one growing season.
I knew there were mountains on the horizon, but you could not tell at all.
I finally got to Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks. I didn't know that the parks were adjoining.
WOW. Period.
A sign about the park said that the haze was just pollution. The San Joaquin Valley below had the worst haze in the summer, winter being the clearest. Can you see the mountains? I couldn't. Sad.
Granted there is supposed to be some haze because of moisture rising, but geez.
Oh, the Seouias. These trees are amazing. Pictures do not show how spectacular the scale is. I mean they are only 30-40 feet across.
Only.
Fire scars ripped gashes in the trees, but two foot bark protects the living tissue.
Some trees ay be hollow from being fire damaged then healed over.
There were the tent-like trees branch things again.
I got to the park late because of the long drive around the mountains so I had to get away. But tomorrow was new light.
The haze over the mountains is eerily beautiful. I wonder the effects on the landscape it has. And no wonder I saw so many smog check stations across southern California.
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