I got up right at sunrise, checked out and hit the road. I filled the gas tank at Ridgecrest and headed east. I always love new roads. My eyes are constantly scoping out new locations for photos or cool spots to stop and explore. I passed by Trona Pinnacles and the mineral mines. As I drove north on 178, two F15s did three low passes right over me. Then I hit a fork in the road, with both signs leading to Death Valley. At first instinct, I pulled out my phone for directions, only to find out there was no service and the map wouldn’t load. I decided took the road that seemed less traveled and had no idea where it was taking me. As the road lead through a narrow canyon and riddled with potholes. No service, no maps. I asked a passerby and he gladly explained what was up ahead, follow signs for Furnace Creek. 

Not long after, I made it through the entrance of Death Valley National Park. We made it! Finally! There’s no comparable feeling to seeing the places on Google Maps and actually experiencing it in real life. I spent the next four hours stopping by all the iconic spots, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Artist Drive, Badwater Basin, etc. 

The desert wind suddenly picked up right after the lunch hour. I checked the forecast for Inyo county, and it looked like it was going to turn for the worst, with 30 mph gusts. I told myself Friday that I was 100% committed to this trip, so I was going to risk it. I wanted to stay and explore more, but with daylight fading, I had to call it quits at 3pm and make the drive over to Alabama Hills. 

I arrived at Lone Pine late afternoon and drove by large sign for Alabama Hills. The wind wasn’t as bad as I thought. Scouting around for a good spot to sleep that had some kind of wind blockage, I followed Movie Road to an arch I wanted to shoot sunset at. I parked at a large pullout which also looked great for Milky Way with a clear view easterly right before a steep dirt section which I worried my 2WD might get stuck in. Better safe than sorry. The wind was still gusting into the night but the hourly forecast showed it was supposed to subside in the early morning hours. Maybe worst case I have to use the car as shelter, or just accept the fact that nature is unpredictable.