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We awoke in Grandview campground, in the White Mountains.  I’ve sung it’s praises enough previously, but it really is nice.  The only plans we had were to drive up and see the Bristlecone pines and then drive out to the Eureka Dunes in Death Valley to camp that night.  So, there was no rush as Gant and Holly matched wits that morning over the squared circle in an intense game of checkers as Jared and I packed our trash.

We eventually got to going and encountered a barricade saying the road was closed.  I personally wanted to see the Patriarch grove, rather than the Schulman grove so we went around the barricade and made some progress on the road despite the warnings.  There were snow patches that were manageable thanks to some hard work, but we eventually hit a dead end and had to return to the lower Schulman grove.  I’ve still, to this day not done the entire Methusulah trail hike and we started that but there was a bit too much snow to follow it easily so we took the old cabin trail back to the truck.

After that we filled the gas tank and Jared and I took a quick dip in the Owens.  Much to my dismay, the old rope swings have been torn down and now it’s just a jump in from shore.  Holly and Gant decided that a cool, refreshing dip in the river was not on their agenda and instead stayed stinky and sweaty throughout the remainder of the trip.

We eventually got to the Eureka dunes (Second highest dunes in the US, after some shit in Colorado that has a homoerotic name).  Jared played up my fear of snakes by throwing a belt at me, well done my good sir.  Then we got there and everyone was all depressed or something because it was hot, in Death Valley, in May.  I wanted to hike to the top of the dunes but no one wanted to.  So we played catch instead.

After playing catch, I went for a little hike into the wilderness.  Much like the baby jebus did when he was in his 30’s if I remember right.

Gant and Holly stayed up late into the night cooking some crazy concoctions.  Jared and I brought some meat, some skewers and were done cooking, eating and asleep before those two kids were done cooking.  I can’t say I don’t appreciate a good warm meal, but honestly hunger is the best sauce, sleep is the best dessert.  The faster I can get my food, the happier I am personally.  Plus cleanup and dishes and all that tomfoolery is just not my cup o’ tea I suppose.  But, to each their own.