July 17, 2009

• I could drive 4000 miles

  

  Well, not for the state…. Just had another hearing about my driving record… gave all my evidence that the rollover was NOT my fault, but no luck. I am not optimistic, but I get a letter on Monday about the result. The good news is my job is not in jeopardy and my field work is winding down (last trip for a while this past week), so no big deal either way.

  

  I’ve been driving a lot lately…. about 80 hours and 4,000 miles worth.

  

  After the National Park tour with Anthony, and a quick day in Ridgecrest, and a dinner with Fernando, I met up (last weekend) with fellow Xangans Kelly (and Pat and Meghan), Sheila, Andy, and Chris in Kings Canyon National Park.

  

  We had to be prepared, like any good geologist… hey, what else are Bruntons for?

  

  First, we did some hikes around the big trees. Meghan loved it….

  

  This is our album cover… yeah, we don’t care…

  

  This is thew General Grant tree, the second largest living thing on earth (noted as third in many places, but #2 fell).

  

  Next, we went to Kings Canyon proper.

  

  It was such a pretty place!

  

  The drive to and back was great. This pick shows a block of grey rock next to two darker blocks. The guesses we cam up for it was 1) alternating pelagic sediments, interbedded mudstones and limestones, that have since been metamorphosed, the now marble standing out more or 2) a thrust klippa of a less metamorphosed platform carbonate. Any other thoughts?

  

  This canyon was great, and if you have not been, I would go. Here, you get tall trees, and a granitic canyon as a bonus.

  

  The drive back, I saw many things

  

  It was a short, but great weekend. Now, I just have to talk everyone into a Utah trip…. I’m thinking Moab….

  As for this weekend, minimal driving. I got Rev Horton Heat w/ Nekromantix tonight and Tool Sunday…. yeah!

  • 4:58 pm
  • 7 Comments