Joerg and Elke and I have a fun desert chat for a good half hour; they visit Death Valley frequently and are on their way home

Elke mentions that she rides her bicycle to work often because it's practical, while coworkers sometimes wonder if perhaps there's a problem that's preventing her from driving her car to work (a California attitude that I face daily as well).

I would hang around and chat much longer if time weren't running out... Joerg snaps this photo of me as I depart and head onward up the hill.

The heavy wind puffs up my windbreaker, but it seems that the wind is mostly coming from behind me now, which I welcome, of course!