Water & Desert, Sand & Sun: Pyramid Lake and Red Rock Canyon State Park

It's really not a visit with my sister, Anna, unless we have grand plans to do something outdoorsy that are eventually thwarted by weather, time, or unrealistic travel goals (see also: our attempt at Yosemite). We were trying to do the Big Sur trip in a day and (maybe) a half, but since we realized we would be spending more time in the car than we would otherwise, we recalculated our route and tried something else.  Instead, we headed off to Pyramid Lake, which is about 55 miles from Los Angeles, and named for the bizarre terraced pyramid earthworks located near the dam.  The lake itself feels out of place, a reservoir plopped among dry mountains.  We had a wonderful peanut butter and jelly picnic next to the lake, which smelled, well, lake-y, and reminded me of summer days spent at my aunt's lake house, despite the sprawling dusty mountains around us.  Milo was a big fan of the lake and when he wasn't barking at everyone, he was lunging into the water.  We brought Milo in the spirit of being inclusive, and while he's a good adventure partner because he has a seemingly endless supply of energy, he really is just a monster.

From Pyramid Lake, we traveled northeast to Red Rock Canyon State Park.  We had really just planned a scenic drive around the park, since it was so hot out and one of our fellow travelers was made entirely of fur.  When we arrived at the park's welcome center, we were surprised to find that it was closed and was not staffed for the summer (the off-season).  Instead, we found an abandoned garden that had once housed a trio of desert tortoises (!!!) and a collection of wildly confusing park maps. Sadly, this park was one of many that had fallen victim to the state's budgetary issues--- I just hope that it isn't permanent.

The rock formations looked so much like something that should have been underwater, they reminded me of that bizarre mid-90's marvel of a toy, Squand.  Squand, of course, was the more labor intensive cousin of Gak and Floam, and you could build things with it under water (for reference, take a look at the very persuasive Squand commercial).  The cliffs and buttes of Red Rock Canyon were formed most by wind, and at times, water.  The ground was just really hard sand, but even so, it was difficult to see how such bizarre, almost patterned, formations could occur.

It was an exceptionally tiring day, since we drove so far on what was basically the surface of the sun, but we all had a great time.  I am constantly amazed by the wonders of the landscape here in California and how frequently they change in such a short distance.  Can't wait to see where the next adventure takes us!