La Quinta, surrounded by the Mojave Desert. The resort was built in the 1920s and became a favorite of “the Hollywood set.” As odd as Palm Springs (nearby).
Charging up in Quartzite, AZ
Rock hound’s paradise near SC. Quartzite’s name might be indicative. Got several pounds of sodalite and rose quartz from this vast dwarves’ treasury.
All the necessary equipment: routing, pic of environment and charging progress, Bill Evans Trio.
Quartzite SC is next door to a Carl’s Jr., where we picked up two big flagons of instant unsweetened iced tea.
Can you tell Quartzite’s surrounded by the Mojave Desert?
Hazy (and cough-inducing) evidence of the Slide wildfire in Arizzona. Human-caused, by this morning it had covered more than 25 square miles and was 25 percent contained.
Dinner at Sedona’s Heartline Cafe.
Lunch wineSalad and roasted tomato soup (except for two tiny floating marshmallows!)––very fine.Dinner wine at Sedona’s Heatline CafeAchiote- (annatto-) marinated walleye in a tomatillo coulis. I “can’t believe I ate the whole thing”!
Rose at 6:30 this morning, grabbed a coffee and apple and headed out to see if I could find some shortly-after-sunrise vistas on Red Rock Loop Road or Dry Creek Road. But Arizona’s raging Slide Fire (so-called because it started in the Slide Park area near Flagstaff) may take as much as 20,000 acres before it can be extinguished. The conflagration is on a steep, treacherous mountainous incline, so access is sketchy. Combine that with winds and falling rock and there is all too little fire fighters can do. This morning I could hardly make out the vistas because of the density of smoke and haze.
Just outside my balcony at Rouge Hotel & Spa. Note how left arm pushes the column until it leansBraised Pork Kahrabi Ribs (Burgundy Fig Risotto, Garlic Demi with Chef’s Fresh VegetablesPan Seared Salmon (Roasted Tomato Olive Tapenade, Parmesan Risotto, Chef’s Fresh Vegetable Selection and a Lemon Chardonnay Essence)
05.23.2014 Orange and sometimes blood-red sandstone here in Sedona as well as in Arches National Park and many a post-Moab site. The spirit of Antonio Gaudi has been playing in the sandbox of northern Arizona, maybe taking a brief LSD break? Took a birthday biplane cruise over the Grand Canyon today. Didn’t have much hope in visibility after fire has consumed so many thousands of acres of woodland in the Flagstaff area. Human agency, of course…the pyre started in Slide Rock, AZ, and haze has obscured the usual visibility. BUT winds caused by desert, heating sun, and low humidity can make for “pockets” of clarity,. Explored one of while flying over the eastern part of a 37-mile exploratory stretch of the Canyon.
It was a 69th birthday kick to be flying over this stunning part of the Earth. Ditto the 5 (or was it 6?) air sickness bags I used in this two-hour flight. (Memo to Bob: when, indeed, will you ever learn?) By 4:18pm largely recovered thanks to Kleenex, lavender-scented wipes, empty air bags and finally even a light late lunch.
The pilot was a wag. Very sharp, amusing, and informative––reminded me of Jeff Harter. He said the fire was doubling in size daily and that only about 5% has been contained. 20-mph desert winds do not help. All manner of animals, including some bipeds, are leaving their natural refuges. Some parts of 89 have been closed off, so had to take a different route via 17S and 179 yesterday. Today saw the landscape of fire, smoke, and old forest burnings. The small Sedona airport has been co-opted as THE emergency fire-control center, with many planes and maintenance vehicles/crews coming here now. In Phoenix (am guessing on airport here) a DC10 loads up from available time to time to drop 2,500 lbs. of fire retardant into the conflagration.
Wilson Arch…leaving Moab, UT en route to Blanding.The Giant Shoe (my name for this limestone cobbling)Some of these outcroppings look utterly alien. They could be the creations of Swiss surrealist H.R. Giger (did sets for “Alien”).
05.22.2013 45 degrees this morning in Moab, UT. Heading toward Sedona passed sands blowing over the highways with blinding speed and road signs marked “Zero Visibility Possible.” Tumbleweeds across highway around Holbrook. There’s some driving faster than the posted speed limit, 75mph, and the model S has been cruising in a contented purr at 84mph on cruise control. Stopped in Holbrook for a Burger King Caesar salad w/grilled chicken. Navajo families having lunch together. Tesla’s navigation system has been sorely wanting with frequent wrong directions. But I think that’s probably true of all GPS systems here in Rockies or west of them. Post pictures of petrified forest and don’t forget to show yesterday’s of Wilson arch and multicolored mountain at Whiffle Point. Last night (21st) ate at Badlands Grill: buffalo steak and OZV.
Now there is the possibility that I may stay here in Sedona one more night. It’s Memorial Day Weekend. Wasn’t able to procure a third night at the site that caught my fancy, Sedona Rouge Hotel and Spa. Nor was I able to get a Grand Canyon tour where a helicopter takes you two (and a party of maybe 7 others on a weekend like this) to the canyon rim and then down into the depths by the Colorado River. Mein Geburtstag ist 23. Mai, und I had designed that there then. But this would have been a 6-hour tour, and what I wound up with is 2 hours. Much simpler (no grand helicopter landing down there), but only 2 hours.
Just about every site along 17S (and the historic Route 66) was worth a peer. Cruised much of the Petrified Forest. And I’ve always wanted to view Meteor Crater, a gargantuan bowl in the earth 700′ deep and more than 4,000 feet across…all from a meteorite that pierced this rocky plain about 50,000 years ago. The actual size of the iron-nickel meteorite or dense cluster of them has been estimated at only 150′ in diameter. Trust me, this place has manna, eldritch multivalent pull. When you walk to view/photograph, either on the parapet at a level with rim or another view, 30′ or so higher, the winds here over the plains and bowl-shaped cavity are fierce indeed! Today they were clocked at about 63mph…have been recorded at 95mph. Let’s just say I was holding fast to the rail with one hand, my hat with another, and bending with wind to minimize possible impact of my camera’s lens barrel should it sweep into rail or stone.
May 21, 2014. Up before six this morning went into Moab’s Holiday Inn Express lobby to see if Rod might come join us for a few days (then he’d head up to Oregon to see his property). By then a month will have passed, and will probably elect to fly back home and flatbed back the Tesla back to Greensboro. Plan to reach Gallup today and tomorrow perhaps on to Holbrook and then Flagstaff. Then perhaps Sedona and/or Grand Canyon.
Road construction on a multi-mile length of highway between Moab and Blanding significantly halted the traffic.
In Blanding a substantial solar array is wired into the Tesla supercharger. Used iPhone voice-to-text today while walking and recharging the Wagen. Very handy for blog notes. Made voice-to-text notes about dinner last night in Moab’s Desert Bistro. Arrived with 87 miles on my batteries left to drive. 20 minutes later charged up to about 180.
A field near the Blanding solar array and supercharger is full of beggar weed; got one on my sock. Not sure about making Grand Canyon on this trip unless I can find NEMA 14-50/240v charging ports en route. Might check with a specific canyon tour agency, like Williams (in Williams, UT). Spaces are vast out here and I got a good shot of a never-ending road and an “open range” sign, with the inevitable cattle grid nearby.
Moab Utah has the landscape of Mars. It’s a beautifully clear day 65° at 6:45 AM. I’m up early today and charging at best Western Hotel. Susan is still sleeping. Moderate winds and a cottony winged seed are floating about. Had some coffee and an apple, and headed over to the supercharger at the Great Western in Moab. It’s right across the street from the Desert Bistro, where we are to dine tonight. We explored most of Arches but did not make it to the “Delicate Arch” (a 3 mi. walk, which, after the Arches hikes did not have the same initial appeal). Tomorrow/21st/Wed. we leave for Blanding (UT), Farmington (NM), and Gallup (NM) if possible. The next day Holbrook (AZ), Flagstaff (AZ), and possibly use Williams (AZ) as our base for an exploration of the Grand Canyon. (NB: We were to decide that Williams Tours––based in Williams, AZ near the Canyon––was probably not for us. Opted instead for three days in Sedona.)
Hard to believe after gorgeous Colorado but many lovely sights are still in store for us as we move Utah-wards. We missed Hanging Lake (Glenwood) simply because of travel time. It was not en route. And more than a few of the buena vistas are off our chart just now. We drove right by the entrance of Arches National Park today, but it was 5ish and we decided to check in rather than take the 17 miles cruise around the park. Scenic Byway/San Juan Mountains (Telluride/Ouvray), Great Sand Dunes National Par (Mosca-San Luis Valley), Mesa Verde National Park (Ute cliff dwellings––Durango), dinosaur tracks (morrison-Dinosaur Ridge), Wet Mountains (Pueblo). We took pictures of the Maroon Belt (Aspen), but just from roadside. Have my heart set on Arches National Park, 5 miles north of Moab. That’s set for tomorrow.
Strange to look at this one––not far from Estes Park, CO––a few days ago, about 10,000 feet up and 50-60 degrees cooler than where we’ve been more recently in CU and UT.
Near Estes Park. Chillier…
In center of circular drive by the Sunset Grill.Old Glenwood Springs train stationSusan in Estes Park area…colder!AmTrak station, Glenwood Springs, CO.Cenotaph (to Ford in his flivver?) up a bit higher in Sunset Grill’s “additional parking.” Moab, UTOn the road to Moab, 1On the road to Moab, 2On the road to Moab, 3On the road to Moab, 4
Healthy and fresh seem to be the catchwords that describe the best Colorado dining. In Silverthorne this afternoon toured and tasted some of the olive oil and balsamic vinegar varieties at Olive Fusion, known for its quality olive oils, balsamic vinegars. For anyone who likes unique, fresh salad dressings this place would be very heaven. Daily pairings––such as Chipotle Olive Oil and Mango White Balsamic. Lots of infused flavors with free sampling. Spices, salts, and rubs as well. Loved dinner this evening at Glenwood Springs’s “The Pullman.” On a bed of chiffoniered kale were deviled eggs pickled in apple cider vinegar molasses with mustard seed with maple bourbon gastrique and bacon. Emilee, an exemplary waiter, described the soup as “yellow bell pepper, cauliflower, miso blended together with tons of spring vegetables, topped with charred onion and barrel-aged sesame oil sauce.” I loved the pan seared Colorado bass with creamy asparagus orzo and yellow pepper nage. And the cocoa nib crusted venison carpaccio was simply out of this world. Nothing, I fear, in that department will ever again compare.
Pano from Silverthorne’s charge point.
Charging in Glenwood Springs (2)The Pullman menua good bottle of Terra Rossa, Malbec
05.17.2014 It’s actually beginning to feel like an epic excursion just now. Looking back the entire year, the landmark supercharging stations have been in Savannah (GA), Santee (SC), Lumberton, Burlington, & Rocky Mount (NC); Glen Allen (VA), Bethesda, Hagerstown, Somerset, Cranberry, Macedoia, Mauee, Angola, Mishawaka, Aurora, Normal, Rockord, Madison, Mauston, La Crosse, Albert Lea, Worthingrton, Mitchell, Murdo, Rapid City, Lusk, Cheyenne and Lone Tree (today). Began with the Greensboro to Savannah, GA supercharger trip earlier this year. Yellowstone was closed a few days back and may still be. Have traveled over 3,000 miles and clocked the 28th supercharger visit today. Were I to drive all the way to Portland I would have doubled the number of stops thus far, about 57 superchargers. The obstacle is not just another trip north but the wide cursive u-shaped loop running from Denver to the California coast. Double that for return home. Hmm, time to consider ponying up for a flight back w/flatbed truck return for the steed?
“Good job, Bob.” (Hampton Inn concierge’s comment about the nearly perfectly shaped greasy sugar pea stain on my shirt after dinner.)
Three of the four 480v DC supercharger corrals were being used. There’s also a HPWC (high-powered wall charger), which a Tesla rep was using to top up the test-drive car.
downtown DenveriPhone map of supercharger in Denver–right outside Dick’s Sporting Goods entrance in garage parking areaLadies on a test drive stop by superchargerFour model S’s charging (one now shown is to left on HPWC).
Tesla Travel 