Tesla

White Sands National Park

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One of only three large gypsum sand dunes on earth, the others being nearby in Guadalupe Mountains NP and in Coahuila Mexico. If I had more time, I would have enjoyed camping overnight in the “back country” away from the road or a ranger lead evening program. But I enjoyed the nature hike and the otherworldly views. I was glad to have the long-range version of the Tesla Model 3, since the round trip distances to charging stations cross the vast missile range and mountains you can see in the distance.

This is also a tentative world heritage site. Click to see my photos of all national park units in New Mexico.

Mojave National Preserve

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I wrongly assumed that this preserve was just a flat sandy desert, but it is a varied terrain of mountains, mesas, canyons, and volcanic landscapes, in addition to sand dunes.

The Rings Loop Trail pictured, near the Hole-in-the-Wall visitor center, goes right through a canyon with Swiss-cheese holes in the walls. There are petroglyphs to see, fascinating views, and short ladders of iron rings to climb.

A couple of retired campers asked me about my long range Tesla 3. The recent spike in gas prices ($7 in California) interests people who regularly spend over $100 to fill their tanks. Of course it’s also a very fun car to drive with a low center of gravity and instant acceleration. But too many folks resist change, even when their carbon travel habits contribute to devastating change.

Click to see my photos of all national park units in California.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

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First EV stop in a National Park Service unit was at the Paramount Ranch. I chose it, because I picked up my Tesla Model 3 in Burbank today.

Not much left to see of the old Western Town that was the TV backdrop for much of my childhood. The climate-change enhanced Woolsey Fire burned almost all of the park land in the Santa Monica Mountains in November 2018. Only the chapel and the railway platform remain. Westworld, Dr Quinn Medicine Woman, and Gunsmoke all filmed here among many others. Most of the buildings were just shells, but the facades made for dramatic sets. 1600 homes were burned, including a number owned by movie and TV stars nearby in Malibu.

Sad to imagine the devastation caused in part by people burning fossil fuels. Still, the trails are nice, including the Love Bug race track, and there were some kids horseback riding. I read somewhere that this is the only National Park unit that contains active television and movie sets.

Click here for an update to this post, or click here for photos of all national park units in California.