Marathon

 2/25- Marathon TX

  You would have thought the way out this morning would be a bit boring as we have driven this same road 5 times in the last two days. Yet it was interesting as I seem to see new things every time I drive. Today it was all about colors. The light in the morning has a way of bringing out the different colors. There was the dark red of the basalt rock contrasting nicely with the bright gray of the old ash piles. Then there is the blue green of the malachite and the yellow of some other mineral.  They all stood out and  blended together to make the ride a kaleidoscope. 

    We stopped to do a hike which like yesterday led us down into a canyon. We walked down a river bed which wound through a canyon. The walls towered over us as we twisted and turned. The end was having to drop down into a hole which opened to a large cavern. They call it a pour because if there happened to be water in the stream it would pour right through the smallish opening and over the edge of the cliff. 

    We then took the more eastern exit and drove through another 50 miles of desert to get to the town of Marathon. The rv park we are staying in is part of a network of campgrounds calling themselves the Dark Skies. They try to promote people to not use so much lighting so as to make more stars visible. They also had here a star party. 

    They have 4 different telescopes on the property and are recognized worldwide for their astrophotography. One of the scientists gives a talk almost every night in which he points out various stars and constellations. He also wheels out a fairly large telescope that he encourages everyone to use. It was cool seeing Jupiter with its bands and moons. I think if people had stayed he would still be there talking. 

   The temps got into the 90’s today but as you know it’s a dry heat. Good news is the lows tonight will only be in the 50’s.