During our trip to the Painted Desert last year, we learned that we should have brought raincoats.The day started out sunny, clear and hot, at 94 degrees, just the kind of day you would expect to experience in the desert. As we explored the petrified trees and historical sites, however, we began to see dark clouds in the distance. The temperatures began to drop. Our plan was to be in Petrified Forest National Park for only one day, so we raced against the storm clouds, trying to see as much as we could before the storm started. When the lightning started to get too close for comfort, we spent some time in the Visitor’s Center.
After the storm, it was cold and drizzling. But this was a place that we would probably not visit again for years, and I had to walk among the blue mesas. In sunny weather, anyway, they look blue. In the cloudy gloom, they were layers of greys and browns. The girls and I only had sweatshirts on. While our walk was well worth it, we got soaked. It took a while to warm up, and swimming in the outdoor pool was not going to happen!
As many of you know. this past summer we ventured into Sunny California, which has been in a drought for three years. But still, based on our desert experience, I decided we all needed to bring raincoats on our vacation. For the most part, we didn’t need them.
But then…we did.
On our drive from Yosemite to Death Valley, we made a stop in Bodie State Historical Park. Bodie is high in the mountains; it used to be a gold mining town. Now it is a abandoned ghost town. Everything is left as it was left, so most of the building are locked because they are unsafe to enter.
We wandered around the town with other tourists, and could see the rain clouds approaching. Pretty soon, it started to sprinkle. I was so glad that this time, we were prepared!
We weren’t as prepared as we thought, however, because then it began to do something we really didn’t expect to see in California in the summer in the middle of a three year drought.
It began to hail.
What unexpected things have happened to you when you’ve traveled?
Definitely unexpected and got to admit I haven’t had that much unexpected happen to us in recent travels and trying to recall years back but falling short right now remembering, but still I am sure over the years now I will collect a few new ones and if I think hard enough recall a few free the past, too.
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Hopefully the unexpected things that happen to you are also good things!
I think our travels are always unexpected and filled with adventures.
I’m so fascinated by the ghost town left as is! Like.. breakfast dishes on the table?
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I doubt that those dishes were left like that! I think the park rangers set up the room with things that were left, but the layers of dust were thick!
Oh gosh… go figure!! I’m just glad you thought to bring the raincoats the second time around Ginny!!! I love all those really cool spots you toured!!! What a great experience for your family. š
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I love traveling and seeing new places! I’m lucky my husband likes to plan it all!