It was, just a bit ago, actually hotter in Whittier (91˚F/33˚C) than it was in Death Valley (87˚F/31˚C).
Of course, that didn't last long (it's now 88˚F/31˚C in Whittier, and 90˚F/32˚C in Death Valley), but for a bit, it was fun to brag about. ^_^
Whitter: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=lox&smap=1&textField1=33.98861&textField2=-118.05611
Death Valley: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=vef&textField1=36.486298342541&textField2=-116.84790960452&zone=1
It was so hot yesterday that I was worried that Tafyrn would completely melt, so we made sure we had plenty of cold water, and to stay in the shade as much as we could. He also got to try some of the orange-juice popsicles we had up in the freezer. You just make—or buy—some orange juice (whatever claws the furniture), pour some of it into popsicle trays, put these into the freezer for a bit and WOW—tasty popsicles! It works with home-made lemonade as well.
When he left for Vancouver this morning at 04:00, the temperature outside, here, was 71˚F/21˚C!
Anyway, we will continue to melt now...
Showing posts with label Cascadia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cascadia. Show all posts
Monday, April 28, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
2008-01-22 Mt. Shasta from the Air
Mt. Shasta, California.
Mt. Shastina can just be seen poking out from behind Mt. Shasta.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
2007-12-25 Passed by the Sister Train
While we were travelling through Oregon on Dec 23rd, we pulled off on to a siding, and the southbound Coast Starlight passed by us on the main line.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
2007-12-23 Cascadia by Train, Day 2
As part of our winter holidays, we (Seamora and Tafyrn) took the Amtrak Coast Starlight from Los Angeles to Vancouver, B.C. It is a forty hour trip, and the train never arrives on time, but it is a spectacular trip notwithstanding. As we travelled, we have taken photographs to share.
We woke up as the train was traversing the highlands of Oregon. We sadly missed seeing Mt. Shasta, as it was dark when we passed by earlier in the morning; however, we were rewarded with many views of vast vistas of snow. When we arrived in Klamath Falls, even the taxis were covered with a fresh dusting of snow.
The volcanic origin of the landscape was still very apparent, despite the snow cover. Many of the cuts into the hillside along the rail right of way exposed different types of rock, showing areas where less viscous flows were overlain with pyroclastic deposits.
The day was very overcast, and the closest we saw to blue sky was a faint rainbow in the far distant snow clouds. As we started to descend towards Eugene, the depth of the snow deposits varied between half a foot an a foot. It was interesting to see how localized the temperatures were. Some areas that were higher, and one would have thought would be colder had no snow remaining on the trees, were other lower areas had trees covered with snow.
As we descended, the snow faded and was replaced by numerous streams and puddles. Some of the rivers we crossed looked to have high levels of flow. At the rail yard in Oakridge, we saw a set of Union Pacific engines coupled to a plough car, which had evidently had some use over the past week.
To the north of Oakridge, there is a red covered bridge that spans a river. Every time we travel on the Coast Starlight, we try to get photographs of it, and this time, we succeeded. They had even placed a large wreath at one of the entrances.
As we approached Eugene, we passed by a large reservoir. From this point onwards, the signs of human habitation increased in density. Our train was delayed in Eugene, but we soon made up time as the tracks north of Eugene are much better than those to the south.
Sadly, it quickly got dark due to thick rain clouds, so we were unable to take many more photographs.
It was a wonderful trip, and surprisingly, we arrived almost on time! Shocking!
We will post our full gallery of photographs from the trip in a few days, when we have a chance to upload them.
We woke up as the train was traversing the highlands of Oregon. We sadly missed seeing Mt. Shasta, as it was dark when we passed by earlier in the morning; however, we were rewarded with many views of vast vistas of snow. When we arrived in Klamath Falls, even the taxis were covered with a fresh dusting of snow.
The volcanic origin of the landscape was still very apparent, despite the snow cover. Many of the cuts into the hillside along the rail right of way exposed different types of rock, showing areas where less viscous flows were overlain with pyroclastic deposits.
The day was very overcast, and the closest we saw to blue sky was a faint rainbow in the far distant snow clouds. As we started to descend towards Eugene, the depth of the snow deposits varied between half a foot an a foot. It was interesting to see how localized the temperatures were. Some areas that were higher, and one would have thought would be colder had no snow remaining on the trees, were other lower areas had trees covered with snow.
As we descended, the snow faded and was replaced by numerous streams and puddles. Some of the rivers we crossed looked to have high levels of flow. At the rail yard in Oakridge, we saw a set of Union Pacific engines coupled to a plough car, which had evidently had some use over the past week.
To the north of Oakridge, there is a red covered bridge that spans a river. Every time we travel on the Coast Starlight, we try to get photographs of it, and this time, we succeeded. They had even placed a large wreath at one of the entrances.
As we approached Eugene, we passed by a large reservoir. From this point onwards, the signs of human habitation increased in density. Our train was delayed in Eugene, but we soon made up time as the tracks north of Eugene are much better than those to the south.
Sadly, it quickly got dark due to thick rain clouds, so we were unable to take many more photographs.
It was a wonderful trip, and surprisingly, we arrived almost on time! Shocking!
We will post our full gallery of photographs from the trip in a few days, when we have a chance to upload them.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
2007-12-22 Cascadia by Train, Day 1
As part of our winter holidays, we (Seamora and Tafyrn) took the Amtrak Coast Starlight from Los Angeles to Vancouver, B.C. It is a forty hour trip, and the train never arrives on time, but it is a spectacular trip notwithstanding. As we travelled, we have taken photographs to share.
Our journey started at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. Immediately after leaving the station, the train passes by a number of historical passenger rail cars on a siding. These cars are frequently used as film sets. The Metro Gold Line travels along the elevated rail line.
Farther north, the train passes by a very clean and orderly housing project, then passes by the Gold Line Metro rail maintenance centre. We have never seen the grey LRT vehicle seen here in service, and we suspect that they are waiting for when the Gold Line extension opens in 2009.
The train then crosses the Los Angeles river, usually a trickle trapped in concrete, then passes the Metrolink maintenance centre. On the side of one of the Metrolink buildings is a large and very colourful mural which we find very beautiful.
North of the Metrolink centre is a series of abandoned rail yards that stretch for several kilometres. They feature two turntables, the remains of a engine yard and other interesting railway relics. It is very sad how much of our railway infrastructure has been neglected or actively destroyed over the years.
After travelling north along the coast for several hours, the train passes through Vandenberg Air Force Base. This is a spectacular stretch of track, with views of the Pacific Ocean, numerous species of low succulent flora, and sand dunes.
The train then turns inland and travels through farmland before climbing into the hills. By this point, the short December day was ending, treating us to a spectacular sunset.
Happy Winter Solstice!
Our journey started at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. Immediately after leaving the station, the train passes by a number of historical passenger rail cars on a siding. These cars are frequently used as film sets. The Metro Gold Line travels along the elevated rail line.
Farther north, the train passes by a very clean and orderly housing project, then passes by the Gold Line Metro rail maintenance centre. We have never seen the grey LRT vehicle seen here in service, and we suspect that they are waiting for when the Gold Line extension opens in 2009.
The train then crosses the Los Angeles river, usually a trickle trapped in concrete, then passes the Metrolink maintenance centre. On the side of one of the Metrolink buildings is a large and very colourful mural which we find very beautiful.
North of the Metrolink centre is a series of abandoned rail yards that stretch for several kilometres. They feature two turntables, the remains of a engine yard and other interesting railway relics. It is very sad how much of our railway infrastructure has been neglected or actively destroyed over the years.
After travelling north along the coast for several hours, the train passes through Vandenberg Air Force Base. This is a spectacular stretch of track, with views of the Pacific Ocean, numerous species of low succulent flora, and sand dunes.
The train then turns inland and travels through farmland before climbing into the hills. By this point, the short December day was ending, treating us to a spectacular sunset.
Happy Winter Solstice!
Friday, December 21, 2007
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