Madd Max Gets A Little Wet

Rain threatened in the morning.

But Sam and Jess made it to Whale Beach before the skies opened.

Almost a lunch spot, but the incoming clouds came with a warning.

After a slightly soggy walk back, and a drive to dry off, a walk around the Nature Center commenced.

 

Followed by a stop at the bakery Alison and Brian bought their wedding cupcakes. 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Max got taken out for McDonalds at lunch by Ava's mom.

Madd Max Hikes Tahoe

First stop, Emerald Bay.

From Vikingsholm to the Lower Eagle Campground.

Blue water.

Crystal clear.

Tree slides?

Lower Eagle Falls.

 

Who knew?

The 7.5 mile hike was followed by 45 min in the hot tub for them aching legs.

Madd Max Makes It To South Lake Tahoe

 

Views from the Lakeland Village beach.

 

And finally, a room with a kitchenette for making dinner. 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Madd Max headed to Ava's for Taco Tuesday.

Madd Max Tours Rhyolite

The resident ghost town that has a bottle house from the early 1900s.

"Dr J. Hostetters Stomach Bitters"

One of Nevada's most shot abandoned buildings, per the sign.  It was an old bank.

A stop at the Goldwell Open Air Museum.

Big art.

Followed by down time at the pool.

An empty steampunk casino.

And another delicious dinner.

Followed by some demolishing of Jess in chess.

Madd Max Heads To Death Valley

Hiking not recommended after 10am.

Arrival was at 9am when there was still shade.

Mosaic Canyon showing off.

Scale is hard to show, but this was really big.

The road to Badwater Basin was closed due to flash flooding, but the sand dunes were open.

And hot - see the panting crow.

Fun to look at, but not hike (hiking was not even attempted).

Lunch spot with a view.

Madd Max Heads West

After a night of wonderful rain on a comfy bed in a tent, followed by a lot of mud, Sam and Jess headed to Zion National Park.

This might be Jess' favorite National Park to date.

Lunch stop along the side of the highway.

 

The final stop was the town of Beatty, which is known for it's wild burros - this one was spotted opening and tearing apart the contents of the motel's trash cans.

Dinner was at Happy Burro Chili and Beer, which served only chili or hot dogs.  And beer.  In a frosty mug.

 

It was delicious.

Home for the next 2 nights - the Stagecoach Hotel and Casino.

Madd Max Glamps

 

Night 3 in Bryce was at Wander Camp.

With the splurge dinner of the trip at the Glamping with a capital G, Clear Sky Resorts that was very close to Wander Camp.

They committed to their theme.

Really committed.