Eastern CA and Death Valley

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Wednesday, 6 November 2024 - Up early to catch sunrise at Zabriskie Point, then took a long, very bumpy drive out to the Racetrack Playa where we saw the mysterious moving rocks on the dry lake bed, watched the sunset with the moon rising over the playa, and then endured a long, rough ride back to pavement.

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Beautiful rock formations along a dry river.
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Informally called the octopus - the rocks do look like they are reaching out.
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The sun reaches the mountains on the west side of Death Valley.
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First light hits the rock outcrop.
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Now the point is drenched in sunlight.
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Foothills in the canyon in the early morning sun and shadow.
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Soft rocks near the dry river bed.
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Sun and shadows in the rock ridges.
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A dry stream in the mountain foothills.
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We had a great breakfast and then left just after noon to drive several hours to our sunset location.

Almost to the Racetrack, after 21 miles of very bumpy dirt road, is Teakettle Junction. A quick stop and on to the Racetrack.
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The Racetrack is named after rocks which move along the dry lake bed floor.

It is thought that after rain the water freezes and then the ice and wind help the rocks move with the wind.
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This little guy is really moving.

The lake floor is hard and flat - easy to walk on. There is a layer of fine dust.
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These rocks are going in circles - probably due to the winds from the rocks in the middle of the lake.
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This rock looks like it has gone for a while one way and then changed direction.
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Sunset, moon and moving rocks. A beautiful way to end the day of photography.

Then bone jarring 27 miles of a rough road back to asphalt. A long, long drive.
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