California 1997

California is a bit of a hike from Washington, especially when you can only spare a weekend plus a couple of days. But when my good friend Tony Printezis (Psycho Hellenica) told me he was going to be in San Jose for a month, we just had to organise a trip. With just a few days to spare, we hired a car and made a mad dash round California, taking in the Golden Gate Bridge, Sun Labs (where Tony was working), The NASA Ames Research Center (shurly Centre?), Yosemite National Park, Death Valley and Alcatraz in only four days (and 2000 miles).

NASA Ames Research Centre

With Tony Printezis and his colleague Susan Spence. This U2 ex-spy plane, is now an ex-atmospheric research platform and basks in the sun at the Nasa Museum.

At the Space Lab Prototype, NASA Ames Research Center

On Tony's last working visit to California he stayed for three months, staying with NASA Engineer Leonard Lee. Leonard was able to show us around his "office", the Ames Research Center at Moffat Field, including a lot of things the average tourist doesn't get to see.

Next stop, the great wilderness....

Yosemite Valley

Just one of the reasons why only 10% of Americans have passports.

Twin Peaks?

No actual mountain tops, but the sweep of this road and the ocean of trees (douglas firs?) reminded me of the opening credits of David Lynch's Twin Peaks.

Route 168 - California / Nevada Border (Temperature 104 F)

In Scotland, the weather changes every twenty minutes - but only from windy to wet to hail. This part of the US stays suffers sub zero temperatures for about three months a year, and basks (or suffers) in plus 100 degree temperatures for three months in the summer.

Dante's View

Dante's View offers a magnificent view over the dried salt lake beds in Death Valley, as well as a welcome break from the heat, being a chilly 112F, compared to 124F down in the Valley itself. Fetch the warm jackets!

It's 124F, and I feel fine

I first saw Death Valley on the TV show "Record Breakers", when the presenter pulled a wax candle from an insulated box and held it up to the camera. It melted in about half a minute. I always had my suspicions about this, always suspected that this wasn't right. It wasn't. It's HOTTER

The Sand Dunes, Death Valley

This was where George Lucas re-shot scenes for Star Wars (specifically for the Land Speeder) and for the Return of Jedi (Jabba's Palace approach). Very hot, as well.

A Joshua Tree, edge of Death Valley, Nevada.

Insert your own U2 puns here.

"Broadway" on The Rock! No shign of Sean. He shailed into Hishtory.	Old Glory on Alcatraz Island.